Dosing while using Bio-Pellets.

So I'm a month in from starting Bio-Pellets. I'm hearing stories about the pellets striping nutrients from the water. I dose 1ml of Reef Energy every other day. I have some Zoas,LPS and a few SPS. Everything seems to be doing fine but what am I looking for exactly when there is too much nutrients that are being taken away from the water?

Should I be dosing anything else?
Trace Elements? Etc.?

Thanks.

 

Nutrients are Nitrates and Phosphates. Removing them is what pellets are used for. Personally, I believe it's still very much in the experimental stage; I, too, have heard several cases where nutrients were completely stripped and it caused issues with coral health and growth. Even SPS corals require a small amount of Phosphates- around 0.03 PPM is a good target level.

Trace elements are minor components of SW, such as Iodine, Strontium, etc. AFAIK, bacteriums from pellets do not utilize them. Regardless though, I would strongly recommend against dosing trace elements without testing to ensure your levels don't exceed that of NSW. It's just too easy to OD your tank.

 

Thanks for the information Bill.

 

Pellets allow you to increase feedings without sacrificing water quality. If you notice anything looking starved (pale), add more fresh foods and you will get better growth while being able to maintain color.

 

Look for pale corals. I think the "nutrients" that tend to get stripped are simply dissolved organic carbons. I had a bad pale issue from a deficiency. I added more fish and fed more often to correct my issue.