Got Triton Test Results on Both Tanks, Reactors coming off!!!!!

[Darbna]

So I got my results today on both tanks. The 125 is SPS and 265 is LPS. Saying I have an extremely high Aluminum in both tanks. After some research, it appears the Kent Phosphate Sponge I run in the reactor is the culprit. I was thinking of taking the phosphate reactors off line this weekend, actually been contemplating it for a while mainly because of all the jobs I have keeping 2 tanks that size changing media is the one thing that I absolutely dislike. Dont know why I just dont like that job for some reason, and the aluminum in the water is kind of deciding it for me. Has anyone reading ever had reactors for a while and took them off and what was the reaction the tank had? Take a look at the levels and please comment on anything, I'm open to feed back.

 

[Scott.h]

Some people can get away with having high aluminum. It's caused a negative affect for me personally in one of my tanks, however that's just me. You could always alternate between an iron based GFO and an aluminum based GFO to offset that if you need to use it. The aluminum molecules should bind with organics in the water and slowly get pulled out through skimming too, if it's discontinued. If you have no issues with the corals and that is your only issue with the test results I'd do that. At that level though you'd dang near have to do a 100% water change to get it in the green.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you find you want more phosphate export, you could switch to GFO.

 

[LouieP]

@Darbna What other additives do you add to your tanks?

I personally stopped using Red Sea & Kent products and now I use only ME Coral Alk, Ca, & Mg for minor adjustments since I run a CaRx and for trace elements Im using Triton products. I believe that most companies add other stuff to their products as fillers which can cause problems or if you want to dose trace you are forced to add their mixed trace which you might not need everything in the bottle.

 

[Darbna]

@Darbna What other additives do you add to your tanks?

I personally stopped using Red Sea & Kent products and now I use only ME Coral Alk, Ca, & Mg for minor adjustments since I run a CaRx and for trace elements Im using Triton products. I believe that most companies add other stuff to their products as fillers which can cause problems or if you want to dose trace you are forced to add their mixed trace which you might not need everything in the bottle.

Think I found it. Was using Kent phosphate sponge in my reactor. Jst changed water and all media today. I will do another test in a week or so

 

[LouieP]

Think I found it. Was using Kent phosphate sponge in my reactor. Jst changed water and all media today. I will do another test in a week or so

Remember per 10% WC you do will only reduce the Al by 34.5 ug/l, so you will have to do a bunch of WC, you might consider a polypad for a few days and in addition to your WC.

Do you dose Ca, Alk, & Mg? or any trace elements? If so depending on the brand you may be adding Al, Li or Mo. I know Kent Tech M has or use to have Li in it.

 

[Darbna]

Yes I dose all of the above. I make my own. I get the mix from bulk reef supply. Tell you the truth it's really not affecting anything. All coral seem happy. I do weekly water changes so I will give it s few weeks and test again