Arsenic?

[Nalini Akolekar]

After losing several Acans, Favias and Candy Canes over the last few months I sent out an ICP test. It came back showing very high arsenic. I only use RO/DI and use high quality salt. What could cause my tank to have high arsenic? Any help is appreciated.

 

[jwshiver]

Probably your salt mix. I ran a ICP test on a salt mix I was using and it came back with high arsenic.

 

[EmdeReef]

What level of arsenic?

I’ve seen tanks with elevated arsenic that didn’t have any issues but would do water changes to bring down.

 

[Nalini Akolekar]

What level of arsenic?

I’ve seen tanks with elevated arsenic that didn’t have any issues but would do water changes to bring down.

The test showed arsenic at 1.934 ppm.

 

[SuncrestReef]

I agree about the salt mix. I sent samples of my tap water, RO/DI water, and freshly mixed Red Sea Coral Pro salt water for ICP analysis. The tap water and RO/DI showed zero arsenic, but the salt water had 0.033 ppm.

 

[Double monti 61]

Hi I used to use my own ro di water but I decided to change to nature’s ocean nutri seawater 15 gallon tank 2 gallon water change per week

 

[rkpetersen]

The test showed arsenic at 1.934 ppm.

Just confirming that this is correct - 1934 ppb (micrograms/l) ?
If so that is extremely high. Such that it could well be causing issues with your corals.
I'm not sure any commercial salt mix would get you anywhere close to that level.
What salt are you using? Are you dosing any additives? What kind of rocks and sand?

First thing I'd do is send off another test to a different company.
I'd suggest ATI, which will also test your RODI water at no extra charge.

In the meantime, assuming it's correct, you want to get that headed down as quickly as possible.
I'd add a PolyFilter and/or dose Triton Detox; probably both.
GFO will also remove many metals; not sure about arsenic, but I'd probably try it as well.

 

[Nalini Akolekar]

Just confirming that this is correct - 1934 ppb (micrograms/l) ?
If so that is extremely high. Such that it could well be causing issues with your corals.
I'm not sure any commercial salt mix would get you anywhere close to that level.
What salt are you using? Are you dosing any additives? What kind of rocks and sand?

First thing I'd do is send off another test to a different company.
I'd suggest ATI, which will also test your RODI water at no extra charge.

In the meantime, assuming it's correct, you want to get that headed down as quickly as possible.
I'd add a PolyFilter and/or dose Triton Detox; probably both.
GFO will also remove many metals; not sure about arsenic, but I'd probably try it as well.

I have an update. I heard back from the testing company and they made a mistake. My arsenic is .04 and is in the normal range. Phew! Now back to the drawing board regarding what caused my Acans to crash.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Edit: I see they found the error.

I suspect the result is not accurate. What company? Not all hobby icp companies are trustworthy, In my opinion. I think that much arsenic is highly unlikely if you top off with ro/di.

 

[Nalini Akolekar]

Edit: I see they found the error.

I suspect the result is not accurate. What company? Not all hobby icp companies are trustworthy, In my opinion. I think that much arsenic is highly unlikely if you top off with ro/di.

Yes, thank you for replying. I was very relieved to find out that they messed up the test.