Help required with Zinc levels

wonderphil-reef · Jan 26, 2022

Hi all,

So I just did a triton ICP-OES test on my tank. I had an issue with my NO3 being at 50 and knew I also had an issue with PO4 being high. I had started a 6 week 25% water change the same day I sent off my samples.

I had the tests come back today and need some help?

Screenshot 2022-01-26 at 10.09.23 am.png

My Zinc is through the roof, they said that Zinc could be coming from:

1. Contaminated trace elements - I haven't been using any so not this
2. Hand Cream applied before working in the aquarium - Don't use hand cream, but I am guessing it could be the soap I use maybe?
3. Contaminated salts - Using natural seawater, which I test but I haven't tested for Zinc so possible?

Also, I haven't added any new stock of any type in about 4 months, and in that 4 months I did another ICP-OES and everything was good.

So how do I get rid of it, is it something that water changes will fix or can I get something that will help.

As for the NO3 and PO4, I am already doing a water change and I am treating the PO4 with Triton AL99 PO4-Remover

If it helps results are here https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/icp-oes/151590

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 26, 2022

I'm not sure if that zinc level is a concern, but likely sources are metal parts in or near the water.

A metal binder such as metasorb or a polyfilter may help reduce zinc.

wonderphil-reef · Jan 26, 2022

Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley , the only metal I can think of is from the one-way valve and the return pipe, that has a small spring in it, or wonder if it's one of my D-D Titanium Heaters.

By chance, you didn't see something else that was a concern that I didn't already mention?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 26, 2022

wonderphil-reef said:
Thanks @Randy Holmes-Farley , the only metal I can think of is from the one-way valve and the return pipe, that has a small spring in it, or wonder if it's one of my D-D Titanium Heaters.

By chance, you didn't see something else that was a concern that I didn't already mention?

Certainly could be that spring.

Copper is elevated and that could be the spring too.

Iodine is high. Are you dosing it?

Phosphate is super high. I'd definitely look into ways to reduce it.

wonderphil-reef · Feb 1, 2022

So I have started using the Triton AG-99 Phosphate remover at the moment, its been in for 3 days, so see how that goes. Took your advice and added some polyfilter to the sump. I also used the Triton Detox to help remove the copper, been having issues with that since setting up the tank, I actually think it's a rock that's been dosed in copper that's causing the issue there as the levels over the past 12 have been slowly going down.

Iodine is high and I believe that's because the PO4 is high, well at least that's what Triton tells me. I'm not dossing anything at this point till I can get the PO4 and my Nitrates down.