Boron and Flouride off in test results

[Caravanshaka]

Hi All,

I wanted to get everyone's opinion on if I should do anything about some readings that I got back from ATI today.

Boron is showing high at 6.59 mg/l compared to the "ideal value" of 4.13
Flouride is showing low at 0.49 mg/l compared to the "ideal value" of 1.22

ATI suggested dosing Flouride to bring the levels up. would I need to find some potassium flouride to do this?

They also showed my Iodine to be low at 21.36 ug/l compared to "ideal value" of 61.04. I have Kent Lugols solution I can dose, but can't find a source that allows me to calculate how much would be required to dose to bring up ~120 gallons of water by 40 ug/l. Is there a calculator out there that might help?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

There's no reason to mess with the boron. Water changes are the only way. I'd just avoid alk supplements that list it as an ingredient.

There are fluoride supplements (ESV has a fluoride and bromide supplement), or you can DIY *(sodium or potassium fluoride), but I'm not sure whether it would be useful. Triton does not even test fluoride.

I do not know how potent the Kent Lugols product may be, so I'd just follow their advice if you want to use it:

"Add 1 drop per 25 gallons of aquarium capacity weekly to sump or an area of high water flow."

In general, Lugols would not be my preference for iodine dosing since one of the forms of iodine in it is reactive and not the forms present in seawater (I2). But many people use it.

 

[Caravanshaka]

There's no reason to mess with the boron. Water changes are the only way. I'd just avoid alk supplements that list it as an ingredient.

There are fluoride supplements (ESV has a fluoride and bromide supplement), or you can DIY *(sodium or potassium fluoride), but I'm not sure whether it would be useful. Triton does not even test fluoride.

I do not know how potent the Kent Lugols product may be, so I'd just follow their advice if you want to use it:

"Add 1 drop per 25 gallons of aquarium capacity weekly to sump or an area of high water flow."

In general, Lugols would not be my preference for iodine dosing since one of the forms of iodine in it is reactive and not the forms present in seawater (I2). But many people use it.

Thanks, Randy! I was thinking that Boron and Flouride may not be necessary. I don't use any Alk supplements, just a calcium reactor, so will see how that trends in the next few months with another test.

What would you suggest for Iodine? I didn't do any real research when I purchased some a while back, just know that a lot of Reefers keep Lugols on hand for dips so I grabbed one but hadn't used it for anything.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks, Randy! I was thinking that Boron and Flouride may not be necessary. I don't use any Alk supplements, just a calcium reactor, so will see how that trends in the next few months with another test.

What would you suggest for Iodine? I didn't do any real research when I purchased some a while back, just know that a lot of Reefers keep Lugols on hand for dips so I grabbed one but hadn't used it for anything.

I'd use an iodide-based supplement, such as potassium iodide. There are many hobby brands.