Aluminum Zinc and Tin high_Possible source?

[Reef_Jack]

I just received the water test result from ATI ICP-OES test. My Aluminum, Zinc, and Tin are high. I did not find rusted metal contacting the water. And I did not use any filtration medium. What could be the source? I am using Red sea Coral reed Pro salt.

 

[Reef_Jack]

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Metals can come from lots of sources, possibly even including the glass of the aquarium. Actual metal risks at a given level are impossible to interpret due to the variable nature of trace metal forms, but the levels do not look to be in the panic zone.

 

[mfollen]

Would stainless steel screws an inch, half inch from the water leach any metals? Picture attached of a light mount with the stainless steel screws above the water on s rimless tank.

I’m having coral problems and am worried metals are being leached.

Eco tech marine said these screws are “high grade” stainless.

Thank you so much!

 

[RobZilla04]

Those certainly could be. Do they show signs of corrosion/rust?

Think about the corroding metal, small pieced of flakes falling off are hitting the water column. Can you replace with plastic?

I'm currently trying to remove Tin and Aluminum which came from my Aqua UV Sterilizer wiper seal and arm by using Cupisorb and Poly Filters. Hoping that will remove most and then I can run GAC to try and polish off any remaining.

 

[BestMomEver]

I have similar issues. My tank is 24” deep so I can hardly reach the bottom. Although I try to avoid it, I fear that when I reach for the bottom, my antiperspirant may get in the water. I try to wipe it off before I do tank maintenance but I’m not sure how well that works. Of course, I reapply when I’m finished with the tank.

 

[atp0726]

Would stainless steel screws an inch, half inch from the water leach any metals? Picture attached of a light mount with the stainless steel screws above the water on s rimless tank.

I’m having coral problems and am worried metals are being leached.

Eco tech marine said these screws are “high grade” stainless.

Thank you so much!

High grade stainless!? I must have gotten different screws with mine. Just a little annoyed with ecotech, this is the second time their “high end” products have potentially added metal contaminants to my reef!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-rms-mount-screw-corrosion.538234/#post-5563331

 

[mfollen]

Thank you so much @atp0726 !

This is definitely concerning and people should be aware of it. Hopefully switching to plastic based screws will resolve this.

 

[Saveafish]

High grade stainless would be in the 400 series, like a 408 stainless. Or about 12-15$ a screw. They aren't high grade.

 

[McPikie]

What kind of Phos remover are you using as something like Phosguard can leach Alu into the water column. Zinc can come from hand soaps etc. Washing your hands before putting them in the tank is all good, but if you use a towel thats had soapy hands on.......

Have you had an ICP on your RO machine?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

High grade stainless would be in the 400 series, like a 408 stainless. Or about 12-15$ a screw. They aren't high grade.

FWIW, I used two float switches with 316 stainless steel arms for 20 years and didn't have any apparent issue, although I didn't get an ICP test for metals until about year 18.

 

[Saveafish]

316 is surgical if I remember right.

 

[Wen]

High grade stainless!? I must have gotten different screws with mine. Just a little annoyed with ecotech, this is the second time their “high end” products have potentially added metal contaminants to my reef!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/radion-rms-mount-screw-corrosion.538234/#post-5563331

Hi, i am curious, is your screen top the kit from BRS?

Do you have high levels of tin?

My recent icp test says I have high tin levels at 9.4, all other unwanted metals were fine.

So, this is only corroded metal I can see. Thought these were aluminum.

Could our screen top frames be leaching tin?

 

[atp0726]

Hi, i am curious, is your screen top the kit from BRS?

Do you have high levels of tin?

My recent icp test says I have high tin levels at 9.4, all other unwanted metals were fine.

So, this is only corroded metal I can see. Thought these were aluminum.

Could our screen top frames be leaching tin?

Actually, tin came back as 0. Only metal pollutant that even had a reading was Aluminum and that was low compared to their standard. Ecotech replaced the corroded screws no questions asked.

 

[atp0726]

Actually, tin came back as 0. Only metal pollutant that even had a reading was Aluminum and that was low compared to their standard. Ecotech replaced the corroded screws no questions asked.

Screen top is brs and aluminum screen frame material is just from local hardware store.