Is an ICP Test absolutely necessary?

[DJF]

I find it a useful tool and “anecdotally” have seen better results since sending them regularly. Not absolutely needed- good to have

 

[Mr. Roboto]

If you are a person not doing water changes.

I just have to ask since you think we are all giving bad advice...

What percentage of this whole R2R forum do you think doesn't do water changes?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Salts that are used don't have all the trace elements need for a reef.

That suggest that folks that only perform water changes have failing reef tanks. When it's quite the contrary.

And if you can have a successful reef tank with just water changes, the question becomes, does all those trace elements that are lacking really matter?

 

[jda]

If you put the same amount of effort into something else, your tank will likely have the same positive effect. It is the effort and paying attention that matters, not so much how you do it.

Specifically for ICP, they often return more questions than answer. There is never a smoking gun for any ill to a tank. ICP can be OK as a tool, but it is just a tool with a limited ability.

 

[rtparty]

Salts that are used don't have all the trace elements need for a reef.

Care to share any credible info for this statement?

I’ve got well over 2 dozen ICP tests saying otherwise. There’s also 10,000+ aquariums that show this statement to be unequivocally false

 

[Mr. Roboto]

When that post was written there were 3 post added to this thread within 2 minutes of each other all in favor of ICP dispite the other post on here all saying no. My guess, someone that works for an ICP provider or a store that sales the kits.

 

[DJF]

When that post was written there were 3 post added to this thread within 2 minutes of each other all in favor of ICP dispite the other post on here all saying no. My guess, someone that works for an ICP provider or a store that sales the kits.

False assumption. I am affiliated with no one but my wife. Sort of an ironic non-scientific jump to a conclusion.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

False assumption. I am affiliated with no one but my wife. Sort of an ironic non-scientific jump to a conclusion.

You were not even the one that was quoted.... Talk about jump.

 

[DJF]

Whether it involves me or not. It is a jump; we’ll agree to disagree on ICPs and assumptions.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Whether it involves me or not. It is a jump; we’ll agree to disagree on ICPs and assumptions.

I dont think anyone even disagreed with you...

 

[Opus]

Yes, they sell the ICP tests and they said to purchase the kit and return back to them and they take care of everything.

You could ask them for a copy of the most recent ICP test results for their display tank so you would have a reference. That would show you if they really use the ICP test themselves.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'd say yes if you're having issue you can't quite track down and your ICP might show heavy metals that you wouldn't be able to test for yourself.

Outside of that, perhaps an annual check to see if all looking good (no polutants) but not for number chasing.

 

[Troylee]

Nope and I’ll never spend money on one either lol… when in doubt change it out “water” the problem normally corrects its self..

 

[bureau13]

To everyone saying no. Bad device.
If you are a person not doing water changes. Then yes. Because you need to replenish trace elements. If not you can cause all types of problem. For instance. Dinos. If your low on iron. Iron will cause a dino out break. This is just a example.

I think better advice for this example is "Maybe think about doing water changes."

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

For instance. Dinos. If your low on iron. Iron will cause a dino out break.

I've not seen evidence that this is true.

What has convinced you it is true?

FWIW, iron is an easy trace element to dose without measuring it later because it has an extremely wide range of acceptable levels.

 

[Kasrift]

My two cents.

No, it’s not necessary, but it can be used as a tool to either diagnose or make sure you are on track.

I’ve done it twice with ATI. To be honest, I did the first one because I was just over 1 year into the hobby and starting acros. The second one I just did as a 7 month check up to make sure magnets or things weren’t leaching into the tank. It’s a good piece of mind thing, but not necessary.

 

[leon.1980]

That suggest that folks that only perform water changes have failing reef tanks. When it's quite the contrary.

And if you can have a successful reef tank with just water changes, the question becomes, does all those trace elements that are lacking really matter?

I am of the camp that they are not necessary. 1, because we have had reefs much longer than icp.

2. They don’t stste very well their testing methods, calibration methods, frequencies. Their vague nature alone make them untrustworthy in my opinion.

However, maybe that “unknown random just because” coral death was due to a lacking trace element.