Help: High Al and Acropora STN

VJV · Oct 8, 2018

Hi,

I have been using Aquaforest products for the past 12 to 18 months with great success. I use:

- AF Reef Salt
- ABEV
- Balling Salts + Components Strong
- Iodine
- kalium

However, over the past few weeks I have been experiencing STN starting with my more sensitive Acropora. I sent some water samples for the MarinLab and the results show very high levels of Aluminium (0.2160), Ba(0.1680), Salinity (38ppt) as well as slightly elevated levels of Zn (0.0095) and Li(0.2160). Zn and Li are only slightly elevated and I suspect could be a result of the high Salinity but please correct me if I am wrong. The Al level however seems to be off the charts. Could this be the reason for the STN?

What would be the best way to bring it down and what could typically cause such high levels?

Many thanks and kind regards

VJV · Oct 8, 2018

Results attached

jtietz · Oct 8, 2018

Hi, i run a ulns with aquaforest also, all sps. I also have rhe same question. My aluminium was high on my icp test also. I do use marine pure balls. I heard they contain aluminum. Wonder if they could be the culperate.

VJV · Oct 8, 2018

I did add a Marine pure block about one year ago and Al did go up after that, but it than went back down so I do not believe this might be the case here. Will do several 15% water changes and change both carbon and Rowaphos, and than will retest. In the meantime it is heartbreaking to see my SPS slowly dying off, one after the other...

Thanks

Aquaforest · Oct 9, 2018

There is no content of Al in Aquaforest products. Zeo Mix and Phosphate Minus should helps to reduce excess of Zn and other heavy metals.

In Marinlab offer there is also test which is testing saltwater and RO also. It's good to test RODI also.

VJV · Oct 9, 2018

Thanks. And based on the results do you believe any of the parameters could be the cause of the STN?

Salinity does seem very high but i use a digital scale to weight the salt (400g per 10L) every time I do a water change so should not be that high....? Also Calcium on my test kit is showing 440ppm, but on your test shows 408.