help with heavy metal in reef tank

[nlutfi]

Recently I have started loosing a few of my sps and have some lps that will not extend polyps. My nems are also not looking good. I just received my icp test back and it found to have some heavy metals in the tank. I'll attach the results but the big ones seem to be lead and cobalt but also aluminum and silver. I'm not sure how its getting my tank, I'm using a brs 4 stage ro/di system with the 3 stage di upgrade. I tested my house water for lead and it came back negative. I have checked pumps and magnets and haven't seen any signs of damage to anything. I added seachem zeolite from my lfs to help try and bind out the metals. The tank is a IM nuvo 40, 2 mp10s, mighty jet return pump, nuvo skim skimmer, hydra 26hd. Let me know what you guys think. TIA

 

[rkpetersen]

The pdf that that links too oddly doesn't show any of your results, they're blank.

Based on your description, I would try adding PolyFilter, Cuprisorb (absorbs more than just copper), and Triton Detox.
And keep looking for and thinking about what the source could be. Probably not your RODI water.
Cobalt is commonly from rusting steel. Aluminum from Marine Pure media and Phosguard. Lead and silver, not sure.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

The pdf that that links too oddly doesn't show any of your results, they're blank.

Based on your description, I would try adding PolyFilter, Cuprisorb (absorbs more than just copper), and Triton Detox.
And keep looking for and thinking about what the source could be. Probably not your RODI water.
Cobalt is commonly from rusting steel. Aluminum from Marine Pure media and Phosguard. Lead and silver, not sure.

I would also recommend poly filter or metasorb. They will change color to show what you may have

 

[nlutfi]

I have tried poly filter but didn't show any color change. I haven't tried metasorb yet but thought about trying the Triton detox.

 

[nlutfi]

maybe you can read this one

 

[rkpetersen]

That last one works.

Cobalt is the biggest outlier, then lead.
Some tin, chromium, gallium, selenium, uranium.
Does suggest decomposing steel more than anything.
Could something have been dropped in the tank or sump?

Do you use optical sensors? Selenium can be from leaking optical sensors.

Aluminum level is fine, no concern.
Silicon is up, that could be from RODI, but no big concern (might encourage diatoms.)

Your magnesium and potassium are too low. Could be an issue.
Both are easily supplemented and can be tested for at home.

One consideration -
This ICPOES company is generally considered to be not as good as others like Triton and ATI.
Some of those numbers could be spurious.
I'd probably send in a sample to ATI to confirm or refute these numbers, before getting too aggressive.
ATI will also test your RODI water at no extra charge.

Overall I've seen much worse numbers.
It's possible that metal toxicity isn't your issue at all.

 

[nlutfi]

That last one works.

Cobalt is the biggest outlier, then lead.
Some tin, chromium, gallium, selenium, uranium.
Does suggest decomposing steel more than anything.
Could something have been dropped in the tank or sump?

Do you use optical sensors? Selenium can be from leaking optical sensors.

Aluminum level is fine, no concern.
Silicon is up, that could be from RODI, but no big concern (might encourage diatoms.)

Your magnesium and potassium are too low. Could be an issue.
Both are easily supplemented and can be tested for at home.

One consideration -
This ICPOES company is generally considered to be not as good as others like Triton and ATI.
Some of those numbers could be spurious.
I'd probably send in a sample to ATI to confirm or refute these numbers, before getting too aggressive.
ATI will also test your RODI water at no extra charge.

Overall I've seen much worse numbers.
It's possible that metal toxicity isn't your issue at all.

Ty for the reply, I don't see anything that has dropped in my tank as far as I can tell. I also do have optical sensors for ato and awc. I have tested my mag at home and found it to be higher then these results at about 1300-1340. Cal is around 450 and alk at 7.4. any other issues that may be causing sps loss and my nems to be on the way out as well?

 

[nlutfi]

I will add it seemed to have started after adding my awc system by auto aqua. I have since stopped using it for auto water changes but am still using it for an ato. I don't know if this could have any correlation.

 

[ryshark]

I will add it seemed to have started after adding my awc system by auto aqua. I have since stopped using it for auto water changes but am still using it for an ato. I don't know if this could have any correlation.

If you find any correlation, please let us know.

 

[Saltycrew]

I would also recommend poly filter or metasorb. They will change color to show what you may have

I’ve been running MetaSorb and it turned green. What metal could that be or is that just algae?

 

[Mastiffsrule]

I’ve been running MetaSorb and it turned green. What metal could that be or is that just algae?

Hi,

It depends on the green. If it is a fairly even looking light green it may have absorbed nickel. That can come from some metal coatings or stainless steel.

I am more inclined to agree it is algae. If it is a darker green or color is not solid I would say algae.

pic would help.

 

[Saltycrew]

Hi,

It depends on the green. If it is a fairly even looking light green it may have absorbed nickel. That can come from some metal coatings or stainless steel.

I am more inclined to agree it is algae. If it is a darker green or color is not solid I would say algae.

pic would help.

I’ll get some pics tonight thank you

 

[Saltycrew]

Hi,

It depends on the green. If it is a fairly even looking light green it may have absorbed nickel. That can come from some metal coatings or stainless steel.

I am more inclined to agree it is algae. If it is a darker green or color is not solid I would say algae.

pic would help.

Hi,

It depends on the green. If it is a fairly even looking light green it may have absorbed nickel. That can come from some metal coatings or stainless steel.

I am more inclined to agree it is algae. If it is a darker green or color is not solid I would say algae.

pic would help.

It’s a light green and it’s even thru the whole bag. I had a heater that failed, could that be it?

 

[Malifry97]

Following and if I see anything I can help with I will

 

[Saltycrew]

Hi,

It depends on the green. If it is a fairly even looking light green it may have absorbed nickel. That can come from some metal coatings or stainless steel.

I am more inclined to agree it is algae. If it is a darker green or color is not solid I would say algae.

pic would help.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hello @Saltycrew

That does look like it pulled something out of the water other than algae. The metasorb package has a color chart that can be used as a general guide to show what the color change represents. That color looks like maybe nickel. The heater that failed titanium?

What size tank did you have it in, how long and where was it in the tank, and how long do you think the failed heater was in the water. Reason I ask is you may want to run another bag to be sure you got it all out.

@Peace River @pathot984 ??

 

[LAReefer4Life]

What do you mean by heater failure? Was there a huge temp fluctuation? What are your current nitrite and phosphate levels? Can you post some pictures it would possibly help.

 

[Saltycrew]

Hello @Saltycrew

That does look like it pulled something out of the water other than algae. The metasorb package has a color chart that can be used as a general guide to show what the color change represents. That color looks like maybe nickel. The heater that failed titanium?

What size tank did you have it in, how long and where was it in the tank, and how long do you think the failed heater was in the water. Reason I ask is you may want to run another bag to be sure you got it all out.

@Peace River @pathot984 ??

The heater has been in there for months. I didn’t run that one though. It’s a

Hello @Saltycrew

That does look like it pulled something out of the water other than algae. The metasorb package has a color chart that can be used as a general guide to show what the color change represents. That color looks like maybe nickel. The heater that failed titanium?

What size tank did you have it in, how long and where was it in the tank, and how long do you think the failed heater was in the water. Reason I ask is you may want to run another bag to be sure you got it all out.

@Peace River @pathot984 ??

65 gal
It has been in my sump for about a year. Not plugged in just in there. I pulled that MetaSorb out and now I have a poly filter pad currently

 

[Saltycrew]

What do you mean by heater failure? Was there a huge temp fluctuation? What are your current nitrite and phosphate levels? Can you post some pictures it would possibly help.

No the heater wasn’t plugged in just in the sump. My pho’s are .08 and nitrate is .12

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey,

Let’s see if the pad changes. Make sure you put the pad somewhere it will not get light.