High Lithium in ICP results

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Is there any way to chemically bind magnesium?

Magnesium, or lithium?

In either case, the practical answer is no.

 

[Nonya]

Magnesium, or lithium?

In either case, the practical answer is no.

Lithium. Wonderful.

 

[AKReefing]

I mixed a batch of Reef Crystals and sent a sample to Triton. I got the results today. I used IO and RO well water. I didn't add any other substances. Look at the lithium level!
@Randy Holmes-Farley, who will test well water for lithium?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That lithium at 374 ug/mL (0.4 ppm) does not seem to me to be an issue. It's a bit over twice the level in natural seawater and would not concern me.

This is from testing my tank water, which was nearly the same as yours (353 ug/L):

Lithium (Li). The lithium is elevated, and that is probably from the salt mix. A great many people have elevated lithium, and I’ve seen some fresh artificial salt water samples that also had it. It is probably an impurity in one of the main ingredients of a salt mix, but it can also come from calcium and alkalinity additives, such as calcium chloride. At this level it does not concern me. It’s biological properties (such as a medication in people) seem to happen at much higher levels, and in many ways it is chemically similar to sodium that is present at 30,000 times higher concentration.

 

[AKReefing]

That lithium at 374 ug/mL (0.4 ppm) does not seem to me to be an issue. It's a bit over twice the level in natural seawater and would not concern me.

This is from testing my tank water, which was nearly the same as yours (353 ug/L):

Lithium (Li). The lithium is elevated, and that is probably from the salt mix. A great many people have elevated lithium, and I’ve seen some fresh artificial salt water samples that also had it. It is probably an impurity in one of the main ingredients of a salt mix, but it can also come from calcium and alkalinity additives, such as calcium chloride. At this level it does not concern me. It’s biological properties (such as a medication in people) seem to happen at much higher levels, and in many ways it is chemically similar to sodium that is present at 30,000 times higher concentration.

I mixed a batch to see if the RC had elevated lithium level that would have contributed to my high tank level. My Li was 3200 in Dec 2022, and 4000 in Dec 2023. Definitely a progression.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mixed a batch to see if the RC had elevated lithium level that would have contributed to my high tank level. My Li was 3200 in Dec 2022, and 4000 in Dec 2023. Definitely a progression.

Presumably it is a different source then.

 

[AKReefing]

Presumably it is a different source then.

Doesn't seem likely, because I use RO for my well water. The local water testing company doesn't have any knowledge of Li in the aquifer, but I'm sending a sample for testing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Doesn't seem likely, because I use RO for my well water. The local water testing company doesn't have any knowledge of Li in the aquifer, but I'm sending a sample for testing.

I’m confused why you think the data say it is your well water. It may be, but the data for the new salt water is not unusual.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

RC made with zero lithium water shows essentially the same level:

The Ultimate Salt Test

I wanted to get this thread up and going before the holidays soak up all my time. I did a live YouTube with Deven from ReefDudes going over things but it is about 1.5 hours long. I will write up a more detailed explanation here in this first post soon. I am a hobbyist first and foremost. I have...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[AKReefing]

I’m confused why you think the data say it is your well water. It may be, but the data for the new salt water is not unusual.

Need to eliminate all possible sources without making an assumption. It's likely RC, but I want a definitive answer.

 

[AKReefing]

RC made with zero lithium water shows essentially the same level:

The Ultimate Salt Test

I wanted to get this thread up and going before the holidays soak up all my time. I did a live YouTube with Deven from ReefDudes going over things but it is about 1.5 hours long. I will write up a more detailed explanation here in this first post soon. I am a hobbyist first and foremost. I have...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for the link. I haven't been here 2 months yet, so I haven't had the chance to review much yet.

 

[AKReefing]

I just reviewed a BRS video in which they showed a chart where lithium was extremely high in some calcium chloride products, namely Brightwell and Prestone. I also saw that one source of Mag chloride (SafeStep) also has massive levels of lithium.

@Randy-holmes-farley Ryan Batchelor mentioned that Dow Flake has been reformulated, and he no longer uses it. Have you checked it out since then?

Here's the video that references the lithium sources.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I just reviewed a BRS video in which they showed a chart where lithium was extremely high in some calcium chloride products, namely Brightwell and Prestone. I also saw that one source of Mag chloride (SafeStep) also has massive levels of lithium.

@Randy-holmes-farley Ryan Batchelor mentioned that Dow Flake has been reformulated, and he no longer uses it. Have you checked it out since then?

Here's the video that references the lithium sources.

Dowflake was reformulated a number of years ago, leaving more bromide in it. Dow announced that publicly. I have some articles and/or threads showing that is OK as long as one continues with normal water changes. I'm not sure what else may have gone along with that bromide change, but I have not retested it, nor have I seen evidence that lithium is a problem for folks.

Remember, BRS wants to sell things like their calcium chloride. It's likely a fine product and I have used it, but just showing an elevated impurity in a competing product without showing evidence of harm from that impurity is only part of the whole story.

 

[AKReefing]

Remember, BRS wants to sell things like their calcium chloride. It's likely a fine product and I have used it, but just showing an elevated impurity in a competing product without showing evidence of harm from that impurity is only part of the whole story.

I totally agree and understand. As much as I'm able to learn from the BRS videos, I always remember that he's selling product, but I'm also picking up on the "do not use" themes. I'm in the middle of Alaska, so everything's mail ordered. I'm looking for the biggest bang for the buck, so if you have recommendations for low-contaminant bulk Ca, please share.

 

[AKReefing]

Dowflake was reformulated a number of years ago, leaving more bromide in it. Dow announced that publicly. I have some articles and/or threads showing that is OK as long as one continues with normal water changes. I'm not sure what else may have gone along with that bromide change, but I have not retested it, nor have I seen evidence that lithium is a problem for folks.

Remember, BRS wants to sell things like their calcium chloride. It's likely a fine product and I have used it, but just showing an elevated impurity in a competing product without showing evidence of harm from that impurity is only part of the whole story.

So are food grade or pharma grade calcium chloride products going to have the purity necessary?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So are food grade or pharma grade calcium chloride products going to have the purity necessary?

It’s not a 100% guarantee, but it’s as good as you are going to get at any reasonable price.

 

[AKReefing]

It’s not a 100% guarantee, but it’s as good as you are going to get at any reasonable price.

Which one?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which one?

Both.