ATI Test - Nitrate read 115

[goettemm]

Hello All -

I have a mixed reef tank (softies, LPS and a few SPS frags up high) which I regularly test by myself and with AWT and nitrates are typically between 6 - 12. I just received results from ATI ICP and it read 115! I have a fairly heavily stocked tank, but pretty sure it would be decimated at this level? My question is - if I fed phyto / reef roid prior to collecting the water samples, is it possible that some made it into the vials and tainted the sample? I am on vacation at the moment and am unable to test, but based upon video of tank, everything looks normal.
Salinity: 34.27
Alk: 8.73
Phosphate: .12
Cal : 479
Magnesium: 1308

Also, my aluminum is at 96. Should I be concerned? I do have marinepure (which I just saw could be a source), but I also run half a poly filter at all times. My tank is 120 gallons.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[DaneGer21]

To answer a few...

Yes, the water could have been contaminated with food and yes it could skew the results when breaking down.

 

[goettemm]

To answer a few...

Yes, the water could have been contaminated with food and yes it could skew the results when breaking down.

Thanks - Figured as much. I haven't had happen with AWT before, but it's processed a lot quicker. I'll be cognizant of this next time...

 

[DaneGer21]

Thanks - Figured as much. I haven't had happen with AWT before, but it's processed a lot quicker. I'll be cognizant of this next time...

Like you said, the time the sample was taken everything was/is doing great. I’d unfortunately chalk it up as an error.

 

[Pistondog]

Hello All -

I have a mixed reef tank (softies, LPS and a few SPS frags up high) which I regularly test by myself and with AWT and nitrates are typically between 6 - 12. I just received results from ATI ICP and it read 115! I have a fairly heavily stocked tank, but pretty sure it would be decimated at this level? My question is - if I fed phyto / reef roid prior to collecting the water samples, is it possible that some made it into the vials and tainted the sample? I am on vacation at the moment and am unable to test, but based upon video of tank, everything looks normal.
Salinity: 34.27
Alk: 8.73
Phosphate: .12
Cal : 479
Magnesium: 1308

Also, my aluminum is at 96. Should I be concerned? I do have marinepure (which I just saw could be a source), but I also run half a poly filter at all times. My tank is 120 gallons.

Thanks!

Mike

I had Same icp results with marine pure. Test is for all Aluminum sources and i think marine pure is a form that is safe.
But I took mine out and next icp had low/normal Al.
I didn't notice anything good or bad when i removed it, but i liked the surface area it purported. Maybe overreacted by removing, I know many swear by it.
Doesn't polyfilter remove heavy metals? Color change?
Probably only if it is in an available form.

 

[goettemm]

I had Same icp results with marine pure. Test is for all Aluminum sources and i think marine pure is a form that is safe.
But I took mine out and next icp had low/normal Al.
I didn't notice anything good or bad when i removed it, but i liked the surface area it purported. Maybe overreacted by removing, I know many swear by it.
Doesn't polyfilter remove heavy metals? Color change?
Probably only if it is in an available form.

Polyfilter turns brown, but that could just be from waste. Though I do run it below a filter pad typically (which I replace frequently). Anyway, I won't get too bent out of shape about it. I wonder if it leaches as part of the manufacturing process?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't know that the aluminum from marinepure is "safe" but unless your soft corals such as leathers are not doing poorly, I wouldn't agonize for 98 ppb.