ATI ICP test results

[GaZZaW]

Hello all,

I recently tried ATI`s ICP-OES service.
One thing im puzzled about is that a in the heavy metals part I seem to have elevated Mercury (Hg) at 17.4 ug/l
Im not worried about it but i cant for the life of me think how a trace of mercury could enter the system.
Could also be a false positive of course. Anyone any ideas.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is very uncommon to see mercury in these reports. I'm not sure what a likely source might be, but I wouldn't assume it is an error, and that value seems substantial.

Everything seem OK int the tank?

 

[GaZZaW]

It is very uncommon to see mercury in these reports. I'm not sure what a likely source might be, but I wouldn't assume it is an error, and that value seems substantial.

Everything seem OK int the tank?

everything seems ok. I did have some euphylia polyp bail out last month but nothing else. Oh and a large Halloween hermit crab died the month before. Its just that mercury isn't used in anything these days.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

everything seems ok. I did have some euphylia polyp bail out last month but nothing else. Oh and a large Halloween hermit crab died the month before. Its just that mercury isn't used in anything these days.

Fluorescent and mh lights do. Any break over the tank?

 

[Finhead]

FLoating Thermometers do as well no?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FLoating Thermometers do as well no?

Thermometers with a sliver fluid probably are, red or other colored fluids are not

 

[GaZZaW]

Fluorescent and mh lights do. Any break over the tank?

nope, dont use them LED only

 

[GaZZaW]

FLoating Thermometers do as well no?

dont think theve use Hg for years in thermometers because of the health risks.

 

[GaZZaW]

used activated carbon ? i have a bag of red sea spec carbon. should have changed it out a week or so ago, not got round to it yet... couldnt be that could it?

 

[Rick Mathew]

Here is a list of things around the house that contain mercury...Might give you clue

https://www.epa.gov/mercury/mercury-consumer-products#list

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

used activated carbon ? i have a bag of red sea spec carbon. should have changed it out a week or so ago, not got round to it yet... couldnt be that could it?

Seems unlikely.

 

[GaZZaW]

I have a Fluval E300 thermostatic heater i use for warming up RO water before mixing.. the temperature control switch doesn't work properly.. cant lower the setting but it works good enough for for what it does, that couldn't be it could it.. im pretty sure there isn't a mercury switch in it.. must be electronic?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I have a Fluval E300 thermostatic heater i use for warming up RO water before mixing.. the temperature control switch doesn't work properly.. cant lower the setting but it works good enough for for what it does, that couldn't be it could it.. im pretty sure there isn't a mercury switch in it.. must be electronic?

I think that would be an unlikely source, even if broken. I'd expect a lot of other metals first (copper, etc.).

 

[Cory]

Have you dosed fluconzole? Apparently very small amounts are used as an antimicrobial in that website posted above.

 

[GaZZaW]

Have you dosed fluconzole? Apparently very small amounts are used as an antimicrobial in that website posted above.

Nope, I only dose red sea supplements and occasional prodibio bacteria and easy reefs phyto.

 

[Rick Mathew]

Are you using RO Water or RODI water to mix your salt?

I would have my tap water...If high mercury shows up there it is a bigger problem than the reef tank!

Another possibility is the test was incorrect...I would have another sample tested by a different test facility

 

[Peach31]

I had a similar high reading of Mercury come back from my ATI ICP test analysis.
Did you ever find out what was the source of the Mercury in your tank?