ICP tests are in... what do you guys think?

[coralcruze]

@Randy Holmes-Farley and the gang

First, hoping everyone is well!

Hello Randy,
Hoping you can take a look at the results of MY Triton ICP testing: sent out on Feb 18th 2019 received Feb.28th 2019
https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/aquarium/auswertung-b/icp-oes/65045/

LOOKS LIKE OVERALL I AM ON TARGET WITH A FEW EXCEPTIONS SOME SLIGHT SOME KNOWN SOME NOT SO MUCH

At home tests compiled on same day samples were sent: Feb 18th 2019
1. Salinity .026 (refractometer)
34.9 (apex conductivity probe)
2. Temp 77.9 (apex temp. probe)
3. PH 8.01 low - 8.22 high (apex ph probe)
4. ORP 343 low - 373 high (apex ORP probe)
5. Alk 5.3 dkh (red sea pro)
6. Ca. 430 (red sea pro)
7. Mg 1560 (red sea pro)
8. No3 5.0 (red sea pro)
9. Po4 .39 <<< This is really high for my tank (corrective action taken immediatly)
10 K undetermined test results???
11. Fe 0 (red sea pro)
12. Iodine .04 (red sea pro)

So now for my questions from the ICP results:
#1.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT 10 DAY TRANSIT TIME FROM TIME OF WATER COLLECTION TO THE TIME OF WATER TESTING?

#2.
B: We have detected a lack of boron.
Sr: We have detected a lack of strontium.
Mo: We have detected a lack of molybdenum.
Mn: We have detected a lack of manganese.
Zn: We have detected a lack of zinc

SHOULD I REALLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE TRACE ELEMENTS? IF SO WHICH SUPPLEMENT DO YOU RECOMMEND? I DO NOT DOSE THESE CURRENTLY, ALTHOUGH I HAVE IN THE PAST

#3
HIGH SOURCE OF NICKEL MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND AS RUSTED HOSE CLAMPS IN THE SUMP THAT HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED. SHOULD I ALSO BE LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR NICKLE CONTAMINATION OTHER THAN THE RUSTED HOSE CLAMPS THAT I FOUND? OR IS THIS SOLVED?

#4.
LITHIUM SHOWS TO BE VERY HIGH IN MY TANK BUT WAS LARGELY IGNORED AS A RECOMMENDED ACTION. WHY IS THAT? TEST DID STATE THAT POSSIBLE SOURCE IS MAGNESIUM SALT CONTAMINATION. I DO USE EPSOM SALT TO SUPPLEMENT MG. COULD THIS ACTUALLY BE THE ISSUE? I USE STORE BOUGHT PURE MAGNESIUM SULFATE.

#5.
SULFUR SHOWS TO BE SOMEWHAT HIGH IN MY TANK BUT WAS LARGELY IGNORED AS A RECOMMENDED ACTION. WHY IS THAT?

thanks in advance for all help and suggestions you may have.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Curious what your source water and what your water change regimen is?

 

[coralcruze]

Curious what your source water and what your water change regimen is?

Why?

 

[NY_Caveman]

I only asked because lack of water changes would seem to contribute to 2 and 5. I was hoping to give this a bump too to be honest.

 

[coralcruze]

Ahhh I got yah...
Source water is filtered RO/DI water mixed with reg. IO salt.

Water change regiment...
Automated using Apex DOS. Daily water change about a gallon in a 24 hr period in 4 changes.

Thanks for the bump.

I am thinking sulfur buildup from use of magnesium sulphate... i do keep my Mg high.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Nice to have the auto water change! Very cool.

I found some old Randy comments on one of his tests where he talks about Sulfur and Lithium:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/high-lithium-in-icp-results.329634/#post-4093500

#reefsquad, any thoughts here? I know Randy is not around as often with the new job. Thanks!

 

[rkpetersen]

#1.
SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT 10 DAY TRANSIT TIME FROM TIME OF WATER COLLECTION TO THE TIME OF WATER TESTING?

No, that's fine. The elements that ICP-OES measures won't be affected by transit time. In fact it's been shown that the sample can even freeze and then thaw out, and still be valid.

#2.
B

: We have detected a lack of boron.
Sr: We have detected a lack of strontium.
Mo: We have detected a lack of molybdenum.
Mn: We have detected a lack of manganese.
Zn: We have detected a lack of zinc

SHOULD I REALLY BE CONCERNED ABOUT THESE TRACE ELEMENTS? IF SO WHICH SUPPLEMENT DO YOU RECOMMEND? I DO NOT DOSE THESE CURRENTLY, ALTHOUGH I HAVE IN THE PAST

Your boron and strontium levels are fine, I wouldn't touch them. Your Mo level is also ok. I don't see a compelling reason to dose either zinc or manganese.

#3

HIGH SOURCE OF NICKEL MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND AS RUSTED HOSE CLAMPS IN THE SUMP THAT HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED. SHOULD I ALSO BE LOOKING ELSEWHERE FOR NICKLE CONTAMINATION OTHER THAN THE RUSTED HOSE CLAMPS THAT I FOUND? OR IS THIS SOLVED?

That's the most likely cause. If there are no apparent other sources, I would repeat the ICPOES in 2-3 months to see if the nickel levels have continued to come down.

#4.

LITHIUM SHOWS TO BE VERY HIGH IN MY TANK BUT WAS LARGELY IGNORED AS A RECOMMENDED ACTION. WHY IS THAT? TEST DID STATE THAT POSSIBLE SOURCE IS MAGNESIUM SALT CONTAMINATION. I DO USE EPSOM SALT TO SUPPLEMENT MG. COULD THIS ACTUALLY BE THE ISSUE? I USE STORE BOUGHT PURE MAGNESIUM SULFATE.

High lithium levels are ridiculously common in reef aquaria. Mostly from salt and magnesium supplements. Your level is nothing to be concerned about; I have seen thriving reef tanks with lithium levels over 1000.

#5.

SULFUR SHOWS TO BE SOMEWHAT HIGH IN MY TANK BUT WAS LARGELY IGNORED AS A RECOMMENDED ACTION. WHY IS THAT?

Yours is barely elevated above the normal range, not a problem, doesn't require further investigation.

Your aluminum is also slightly elevated and this is also very common in reef tanks, typically due to use of aluminum-based phosphate removers. Not a significant issue.

 

[coralcruze]

@rkpetersen Thank you for the through reply. that answers all of my questions. Much appreciated sir.

 

[coralcruze]

anyone else have any recommendations or opposing views?

 

[Big E]

With a daily water change regime setup I wouldn't dose any of these--

B: We have detected a lack of boron.
Sr: We have detected a lack of strontium.
Mo: We have detected a lack of molybdenum.
Mn: We have detected a lack of manganese.
Zn: We have detected a lack of zinc

If it was me I'd stop dosing Magnesium if you currently are. 1280 is natural sea level, you're way above that.

Is your alk 5.3??.........that seems likely a testing error or test kit issue.

 

[coralcruze]

interesting... reason not to?

 

[Big E]

Your water changes will keep levels up enough for most systems.

Very seldom do trace metal readings show up for anyone with the ICP test. They have also been shown to be inaccurate.
Zero just means you're below the detection level of their test, it doesn't mean you don't have enough available.

It's easy to overdose and trace metals can be deadly at high levels( Mn, Zinc, Cu, ect)

 

[coralcruze]

Thank you and I didn't answer your questions... My apologies.

I did get 5.3 alk when tested on my red sea test kit. I actually have two Alk kits from RS and both tested around the same. i have to pick up a different brand and see.
I dont really dose Mg but i do adjust and shoot for 13-1400 typically. any particular reason you suggest not to shoot high? In a closed system I have always known Mg to be the great equalizer.

 

[Big E]

There isn't any known advantage in keeping above natural levels and it seldom if ever gets depleted.
In or around 1300 is fine if you want figure in test kit variation/accuracy.

Randy's article on Mg--
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/10/chemistry

On the alk level....I would make sure to verify this asap. I would use a different brand to verify. Salifert is popular and what I use.