ICP Testing: What is it Good For?

[rmurken]

It seems like for the average reefer ICP testing will alert you to a rusting component that is leeching iron, tin, or some other substance into your tank. That said I love reefing because I’m an armchair scientist and an inveterate tinkerer. Is there anything I will learn from an ICP analysis that will do anything other than satisfy my curiosity about how much unobtanium there is in my water?

For reference: I prefer to DIY as much as possible on the chemical side, only three corals so far, am not into SPS, and am overjoyed when my chalice frag grows a few mm.

 

[YankeeTankee]

Its more data to verify the accuracy of your at home tests (although I've seen some questionable results with ICP), it can identify specific trace you might be low in. As far as many trace elements, some of which you may want to dose it's the only way to know.

 

[rmurken]

Sounds like that’s down the road for me. I’m just trying to get a year or two of steady health and growth; can’t imagine trying to drive optimal color or keep a particularly fussy animal. I’m at the stage where the daily drop in alk still gets me giddy.

 

[User1]

Depending on which one you use, they are different in quality at least I believe, is a reference point from an outside source. If you use automated or manual testing you can grab a sample water at the same time you do your manual or automated tests, send it off, and compare. Get some feedback.

On the other hand it is late for me and when I read the title of your post, true story, Edwin Starr music started to play in my head . So thank you very much!

War, huh, good god
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing, listen to me...

 

[jim_fitz]

Best thing I ever did really

i tested my RO / DI as well and had copper getting through This was keeping my tangs looking great but the corals were doing nothing

if I hadn’t have tested the RO I might have torn all my equipment apart looking for a fault

1 tub of Cuprisorb and the corals started to grow. Happy days

 

[dankaqua]

I'd say if everything looks good in your reef tank and your testing and parameters are good, then the only reason to get an ICP test would be to allow for comparison to future tests....

That said, I think there is room for mistakes to be made (potentially consistent mistakes) when performing testing.

An ICP takes away those mistakes.

Anyone can self-diagnose, check the internet, and try to figure out what's wrong... but if you are feeling ill, then it's best to go get it checked by a doctor.

So when things go south, and all your tests are coming back looking perfect, then maybe it's time for an ICP test.

If for no other reason, to help you with your sanity.

Sometimes we do everything we cant to maintain "perfect" water parameters, but the tank goes south. An ICP test is just asking a 3rd party to confirm that levels are what you believe they are. It's certainly not a "perfect" test, but it's better than pulling your hair out.