ICP Results - Should I dose anything?

Gator_Reefer · Jan 31, 2021

Just got my ICP test results. Like to know if anybody with more experience than me would suggest taking action on any of the deficiencies or excesses (i.e. Fe)?

It’s a 30.2 gallon AIO. Recently I have been doing weekly 15-20% WCs (Tropin Marin classic) to help with a nuisance hair algae problem. I’ve also been having STN issues on corals, but not sure if related to the water chemistry.

I expected La to be high since I’ve been using Phosphate-e. I’ve been able stop now and just rely on GFO.

TIA!

carmodpg · Feb 1, 2021

I think I would leave as is at this point. Looks pretty in line.

Spare time · Feb 1, 2021

How's your flow on your sps are having stn?

Gator_Reefer · Feb 1, 2021

Spare time said:
How's your flow on your sps are having stn?

I’d say variable medium-strong.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 1, 2021

I think the software that gives the warning lamps has blown a gasket. The phosphate is smack in the middle of its claimed setpoint, yet it shows as red even though the same measurement written as phosphorus is green. lol

If this were my result, I'd boost potassium (or raise the salinity a bit to boost it).

Gator_Reefer · Feb 1, 2021

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I think the software that gives the warning lamps has blown a gasket. The phosphate is smack in the middle of its claimed setpoint, yet it shows as red even though the same measurement written as phosphorus is green. lol

If this were my result, I'd boost potassium (or raise the salinity a bit to boost it).

Much thanks Randy. I was also wondering same regarding red warning lamp for PO4 with an in range normal reading.

Would you have any concern for the elevated Zn (17 ug/l) and Fe (6.23 ug/l) levels? If those had potential for adverse effects, curious what that would like and if it could had something to do with some of my coral’s bad health and/or nuisance algae. Likely a long shot, but again just curious.

Assume I shouldn’t be concerned about my high La level as it should come down by stopping the LaCl dosing and through water changes.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 1, 2021

Are you dosing iron?

it is unusual to see any without dosing, and coupled with the zinc, might be a sign of a metal part in the water.

I wouldn't assume the zinc is a problem if the tank seems OK, but I wouldn't want it to keep going up.

Gator_Reefer · Feb 1, 2021

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Are you dosing iron?

it is unusual to see any without dosing, and coupled with the zinc, might be a sign of a metal part in the water.

I wouldn't assume the zinc is a problem if the tank seems OK, but I wouldn't want it to keep going up.

Not specifically dosing iron and as far as I know no corroded magnets or other metals parts in water contact, but I’m going to give it a good, closer look throughout.

I did do a one time dose a while ago of some Kent Marine Nano Reef - Part A for calcium since I had low Ca (380 ppm) but high Alk (9.35 dkh). Believe this Part A has iron, strontium, and a few other traces. I use kalk in my ATO reservoir for normal supplementation.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 2, 2021

That supplement is not likely the iron source.

Gator_Reefer · Feb 2, 2021

Ok. My GFO reactor is set to high flow. Not sure if that could be a reason.

Alternatively, I’m thinking it maybe could’ve been an old magnet cleaner I took out of the tank several weeks ago. It didn’t have super obvious signs of corrosion, but maybe it was the source.

I guess only a follow on ICP test in a month or so will truly tell. Just wish those tests were a little cheaper

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 2, 2021

The GFO is likely the iron source. I would not be concerned with it.

Gator_Reefer · Feb 2, 2021

Awesome, thanks Randy! Could it be the source of the elevated Zn as well, or unlikely?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 2, 2021

Gator_Reefer said:
Awesome, thanks Randy! Could it be the source of the elevated Zn as well, or unlikely?

No, it's not a zinc source.

FWIW, most tanks have undetectable iron, even with GFO and iron dosing (like mine), but GFO certainly can dissolve and release iron.

Gator_Reefer · Feb 14, 2021

Forgot to ask one more question re my recent ICP test.....Triton in their “help” section recommends I lower tank temperature to 24 C (75.2 F) degrees for both issues with cyano and STN.

Any idea why they would recommend that? And is it just better than to keep it at that temperature permanently?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 15, 2021

I do not know if that is helpful or not. I do not recall hearing anyone eliminate these problems by temp alone.

Gator_Reefer · Feb 15, 2021

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I do not know if that is helpful or not. I do not recall hearing anyone eliminate these problems by temp alone.

Gotcha....thx Randy

Gator_Reefer · Feb 15, 2021

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I do not know if that is helpful or not. I do not recall hearing anyone eliminate these problems by temp alone.

Wondering now if maybe the supposition by Triton is that the lower temp could help to slow down bacterial reproduction rates and in turn provide some relief of Cyano and/or STN.

Hans-Werner · Feb 15, 2021

You were lowering phosphate and you had high alkalinity. I guess it was this combination that caused the STN.

The analysis itself seems ok so far, no measures necessary.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Feb 15, 2021

Gator_Reefer said:
Wondering now if maybe the supposition by Triton is that the lower temp could help to slow down bacterial reproduction rates and in turn provide some relief of Cyano and/or STN.

That might be the rationale. But it is not generally true for all organisms that lower temps hurt bacteria relative to other organisms. Humans and many animals run elevated temperatures to help deal with bacterial infections