how do I remove cobalt?

[Marthin Muller]

just got my results back from a Triton test and my cobalt is unreal..

how do I reduce it? recommended actions are a series of water changes?

Element Analysis Setpoint Deviation Warning lamp
Cr 0 µg/l 0,1 µg/l -0.10
▲
Co 4.227 µg/l 0,1 µg/l 4.13

seem rather much to just plod along with minor water changes?

 

[ScottR]

Are you using RODI? Also, did you test your water before mixing to see if it’s your water source? I know one of the companies also tests your RODI (ATI I think). I don’t know where it came from but water changes might just be taking it out and putting it back in. It could be leeching out of your rocks, equipment, anything that touches the water.

 

[Marthin Muller]

Yes RODI with 0 TDS
I usually don’t panic about stuff but it seems very high compared to normal

 

[Retro Reefer]

just got my results back from a Triton test and my cobalt is unreal..

how do I reduce it? recommended actions are a series of water changes?

Element Analysis Setpoint Deviation Warning lamp
Cr 0 µg/l 0,1 µg/l -0.10
▲
Co 4.227 µg/l 0,1 µg/l 4.13

seem rather much to just plod along with minor water changes?

I don’t know of anything else that would remove it so I would follow their advice.. water changes are a effective and safe way to lower unwanted elements and pull your parameters back in line.

 

[Marthin Muller]

Thanks

 

[ScottR]

I don’t know of anything else that would remove it so I would follow their advice.. water changes are a effective and safe way to lower unwanted elements and pull your parameters back in line.

But it’s also good to know the source of where it came from so it doesn’t make its way back in. The base of some bulbs contain cobalt for example. How were iron and nickel on your test?

 

[Marthin Muller]

ZB, k, Sr slightly high and everything else normal

 

[ScottR]

ZB, k, Sr slightly high and everything else normal

I’m guessing zb is zinc (zn). These are normal and will come from your salt. It’s normal to have an imbalance of these because each tank consumes different volumes. On a side note, a lot of algae require Co to grow. Running a refugium may help to eat it up. Just an idea, nothing I have tried nor seen studies done on.

 

[Marthin Muller]

I can’t grow algae to save my life believe is or not.. NO3 between 2,5-5 on salifert.. PO4 0.03-0.7 on nuts and 0.03 on triton.. no reason I should not be able too.. don’t actually have a lot of issues with corals

 

[bluprntguy]

I’d try doing larger water changes (50%) if possible to remove contaminants. That’s more effective than multiple smaller water changes.

 

[Marthin Muller]

thanks.. think I would go smaller frequent as it may just be in the salt for all I know...

 

[jsvand5]

Does your tank look healthy? I question the results of these lab tests more with every post I read about them.

 

[EmdeReef]

You can try Metasorb which claims to bind cobalt.