Got my ATI ICP test in

[Mattrg02]

Many here have tried to help me figure out what the heck is wrong with my tank and why acroporas just don’t grow, just a slow death. I think we’ve all come to an agreement that everything is spot on and that something is in my water.

Got my results back from ATI ICP test and am pretty disappointed. They didnt test for things like tin, chrome, copper, iron. They said my iodine was low and I should dose some. What a waste of money.

http://lab.atiaquaristik.com/publicAnalysis/21675

 

[apt220]

Could it be that they didn't detect any of those elements that don't have values?

 

[BoomCorals]

Far as I know the ones with just the "u" means 0 detected.

 

[Mattrg02]

Could it be that they didn't detect any of those elements that don't have values?

Yes. They just explained to me that they were below the minimum level to post a result for. So, I jumped the gun.

I took “u” as “untested” which definitely irked me.

 

[CNDReef]

They did test but was 0 or less. That’s why it’s negative on the difference column.

 

[CNDReef]

I’m slow lol

 

[Mattrg02]

So, nothing stands out to me to be a cause for my troubles. Anything stand out? Maybe something is in my RODI water, test to come tomorrow they say.

 

[BoomCorals]

I’m slow lol

It's monday

 

[CNDReef]

Lol
Only thing I can think of is your nutrients are low for your alk level. Could cause burnt tips.

 

[Mattrg02]

Lol
Only thing I can think of is your nutrients are low for your alk level. Could cause burnt tips.

I kind of suspected that, my last death was a fox flame that went tip first. The first that went, of this run, was an orange passion. It actually rtn from the middle of the frag. The base and tip went last. Never lost color. I figured my nutrients were actually on the high side, but who knows? I’ll start lowering dkh via water changes. I don’t dose anything so it shouldn’t be too hard.

At least I see my tests match with the ICP test. I’m doing one thing right!

 

[jda]

Do not take it too personal. I have not seen a ICP test yet really tell anybody anything of any significance.

I do not really remember too many specifics about your tank, but it is small, IIRC? If so, then small tanks are incredibly difficult under the best circumstances. Did you get a larger tank, by chance?

 

[Mattrg02]

Do not take it too personal. I have not seen a ICP test yet really tell anybody anything of any significance.

I do not really remember too many specifics about your tank, but it is small, IIRC? If so, then small tanks are incredibly difficult under the best circumstances. Did you get a larger tank, by chance?

My tank was a 17g, I’ve since upgraded to a 43g. I transferred over the live rock and bought more cycled rock at my LFS. This size tank should be much easier from what I see. I see a lot in this size range packed with acroporas.

ATI thinks my phosphate is too low also. They also think nickel, cobalt, and vanadium are high now that they know it’s a reef tank? I checked my mp10 before for rust and didnt find any. I guess I could check again, as well as check the new one I got.

I’ve been using poly filter. Shouldn’t that strip out metals? I guess I could run a larger piece. I never see it change color except from detritus.

 

[CNDReef]

Metasorb and maybe cuprisorb can remove heavy metals. I just used cuprisorb to a high metals ati test. Going to send in a new test next week and see if it worked.

 

[Mattrg02]

Metasorb and maybe cuprisorb can remove heavy metals. I just used cuprisorb to a high metals ati test. Going to send in a new test next week and see if it worked.

What were your metals at?

 

[CNDReef]

 

[Mattrg02]

Oh man, some of those are much higher than mine. Dang, guess it’s time to find some cuprisorb for me, I’m OCD like this.

 

[Pntbll687]

They did test but was 0 or less. That’s why it’s negative on the difference column.

I know it's Monday but....

I'm very intrigued on how to get a less than 0 on a test. There could be big profits to make here! "Lowers phosphates to LESS THAN ZERO!". i can see there marketing campaign now

 

[Mattrg02]

I know it's Monday but....

I'm very intrigued on how to get a less than 0 on a test. There could be big profits to make here! "Lowers phosphates to LESS THAN ZERO!". i can see there marketing campaign now

Quantum physics.

So unless the RODI water comes back with something obvious, like reef HIV, or chloramines, I will go with my plan:

Focus on my hydra26hd lights either being too intense, or not intense enough. I’ve just raised them to 14in over the tank, from 10in. I’m running the ab+ scheme.

If my acros brown out, I’ll slowly increase light. Right now, they are pretty washed out, starvation mode looking, except for my pc rainbow that is very dark red/brown with a hint of green in the base. The rest look starved despite higher nitrates and phosphate. I’m suspecting they aren’t starved, they are stressed from too much light. (No par meter)

 

[CNDReef]

I know it's Monday but....

I'm very intrigued on how to get a less than 0 on a test. There could be big profits to make here! "Lowers phosphates to LESS THAN ZERO!". i can see there marketing campaign now

For every test there’s a error +/- ....
that can give you a negative even in icp tests.

 

[jda]

Metals are not likely going to be your issue. If you change water, have aragonite and skim, then they mostly get rendered harmless unless you have constant source. Polyfilter will also get some. People like to look there as a quick-fix, but it rarely is the issue - I would look elsewhere. The most likely scenario is small tank combined with some newness, inferior lighting and parameters that might bounce around... any of these things is doable in isolation, but all them together can be no-so-good.

If unsure, keep the Hydras low - they can do more harm than good when up high. This is a quality thing, not quantity. If you have a chance to add on some T5s, it will surely help, IMO.