AIuminium and Iron Leaching?

[Gabbone]

Hi guys,

I recently did an ICP test to check my water quality and very strangely my Aluminium came 45.5 µg/l and Iron 7.88 µg/l which is 618% higher than the recommended value.

- Regarding Iron; I've checked in the tank for any for signs of rust on the equipment but I didn't find anything. The tank has 6 months. I have had rusty tongs and nets a couple of months ago and perhaps these caused the release of Iron? In any case that value is strange considering that I do 20% WC systematically every week. It's really too high.

- Regarding aluminum, I read on the forum that ceramic blocks can cause aluminum leaks after several months. I have 4 blocks of 5 month old Maxspect Nano-Tech Bio Block in the sump. Could they be the cause? Should I remove them?

- Also another very strange thing, recently my phosphates have skyrocketed; from 0.04-0.1 to 0.31. I use Blue Life Clear FX Pro as a po4 control and skimmer to keep po4 in range and have never ever had any problems. I don't overfeed and there's nothing dead in the tank. I am maniac with po4 that's why is very strange to me. Anyway, I've bring them down to 0.21 with a 30% WC yesterday night. I am planning another one tonight.

I tested my RODI (tds 0 and po4 0.00). And new fresh salt water batch po4 0.04.

- Corals are all fine. I lost recently a tridacna and my heliofungia actiniformis is receding.

Any consideration on these issues? @Randy Holmes-Farley could you help me? :-D Thank you a lot!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The iron is no concern. Red Sea recommends levels far higher than yours, though I do not consider that needed.

The aluminum is likely not high enough to be a problem, but the block may be contributing to it.

 

[Gabbone]

thank you! Why the icp guys made it so dramatic then? It Seems tragic!

And what about the po4 story?

Thank you as always!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

0.31 ppm phosphate is not a serious issue, but lowering it is fine. The ro/di is not a significant source, so don’t worry about it.

Water changes are not usually very effective for phosphate.

 

[Gabbone]

Thanks. I just ordered Blue Life phospate RX which is a liquid that binds po4.

 

[Gabbone]

Also, I am curious about the chemistry about AI leaching from these blocks. How did it happen that they have AI? Would you personally remove them or keep them? Or maybe just replace it with new ones?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Also, I am curious about the chemistry about AI leaching from these blocks. How did it happen that they have AI? Would you personally remove them or keep them? Or maybe just replace it with new ones?

I generally do not think such blocks are useful or needed in most cases. Aluminum is one of the components of many ceramic materials.