ICP lab results interpretation

[tundraguy1106]

Ok so I just received my lab results for both my tank and RO water. I’ve attached pictures of them. I’m not sure how to interpret them due to the different measurements they use.

The reason I sent out a sample was because I’m currently losing SPS corals. I’ve also attached a picture of my own test results taken the day I sent out the samples.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[vetteguy53081]

The ones in red are all up a little
Should be;

mag 1300
Alk 8-9
CA. 440
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate. < .04
Ammonia. <.03
Salinity. 1.025
Ph. 8.1-8.3
Temperature. 76-79

 

[tundraguy1106]

The ones in red are all up a little
Should be;

mag 1300
Alk 8-9
CA. 440
Nitrate < .04
Phosphate. < .04
Ammonia. <.03
Salinity. 1.025
Ph. 8.1-8.3
Temperature. 76-79

I thought the red ones are low and need to be increased?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I thought the red ones are low and need to be increased?

Yes. Trying to type before boarding an aircraft
They are low to confirm but very close to normal

 

[tundraguy1106]

I’m reading these results as my phosphates on my Hanna checker are .08 but they tested them at .01! No wonder I had Dinos. That’s a big difference!

 

[tundraguy1106]

Yes. Trying to type before boarding an aircraft
They are low to confirm

I appreciate the help. Do any of these levels explain SPS dying? I mean I only recently before this test added nitrate and phosphates, so they’ve been bottomed out for a while! I was trusting my Hanna checker that was reading phosphates consistently at .04 SMH

 

[vetteguy53081]

I appreciate the help. Do any of these levels explain SPS dying? I mean I only recently before this test added nitrate and phosphates, so they’ve been bottomed out for a while! I was trusting my Hanna checker that was reading phosphates consistently at .04 SMH

Nutrients may be low
Moderate light and water flow
Temp 76-79

 

[Crustaceon]

I appreciate the help. Do any of these levels explain SPS dying? I mean I only recently before this test added nitrate and phosphates, so they’ve been bottomed out for a while! I was trusting my Hanna checker that was reading phosphates consistently at .04 SMH

If you started getting dinos, then yeah that was the sign that your tank was being starved of nutrients, which typically means sps are getting starved as a result. We’re you seeing base recession?

 

[tundraguy1106]

Nutrients may be low
Moderate light and water flow
Temp 76-79

Lighting is good. Sandbed is well it at about 200 across the tank. This was using a PAR meter 300 where acros are. Temp is controlled at 77. Gotta be nutrients.

 

[tundraguy1106]

If you started getting dinos, then yeah that was the sign that your tank was being starved of nutrients, which typically means sps are getting starved as a result. We’re you seeing base recession?

Yes on base recession. But what caught my eye was the tips growing algae on them and dying.

 

[tundraguy1106]

I can’t believe how off Hanna checkers can be!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don't see anything jump out as a concern in the tank, or in the RO/DI.

Raising phosphate may be helpful.

 

[tundraguy1106]

I don't see anything jump out as a concern in the tank, or in the RO/DI.

Raising phosphate may be helpful.

Yup, so I decided to start dosing phosphates a few days prior to the ICP test. Hanna ULR had my phosphates at .08 on the sample water. Prior to this my results were always .04, for months!

Now reading these results and seeing ICP has my phosphates at .01 when I had .08 makes sense. I’ve been starving my tank which caused my STN on my SPS corals! I’m so mad right now!!! Gonna pick up a salifert phosphate test kit today.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yup, so I decided to start dosing phosphates a few days prior to the ICP test. Hanna ULR had my phosphates at .08 on the sample water. Prior to this my results were always .04, for months!

Now reading these results and seeing ICP has my phosphates at .01 when I had .08 makes sense. I’ve been starving my tank which caused my STN on my SPS corals! I’m so mad right now!!! Gonna pick up a salifert phosphate test kit today.

FWIW, phosphate may change during transit, so your original values may be correct even if the provided ICP vales are also correct.

 

[Crustaceon]

Yes on base recession. But what caught my eye was the tips growing algae on them and dying.

Sounds a lot like “burned tips” to me. It can happen with low No3 or Po4 combined with strong lighting or elevated alkalinity.

 

[tundraguy1106]

FWIW, phosphate may change during transit, so your original values may be correct even if the provided ICP vales are also correct.

Double checking with salifert won’t hurt. Out of all the kits I’ve used, they are the most consistent.