Please look over my ICP results.

[Miami Reef]

I did 3 15% water changes with IO salt before doing the test.

Should I dose zinc and the other element they are suggesting? Are those limiting elements? Because I’m not getting the algae growth I’m looking for.

Also, what is my silica level in PPM? I’m shooting for 1ppm-2ppm.

Thank you guys

 

[vetteguy53081]

To simplify for you- Look at very right column.
+ = how high it is from normal
- = the deficiency or amount low

Example is Mag- you are over by 219.
Your reading is 1441 should be about 1300. Do not add any Mag in this case until it lowers.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Converted silicon is roughly .14 mg/L. Silicon is 46.7% of silicon dioxide.(depending on what forms it is in, whether it is amorphous, or crystalline determines its solubility). Your around .30 mg/L. If you wanted to raise it to 1 ppm. Need something like 1.8g per liter(silicon dioxide). This is an example but other soluble silica salts would work too, just with a little different math. Ex: orthosilicic acid 29.2 % silicon. Then you would be at .48Mg/L. It shows +47 ug/L why bother? Ps to go back and forth from ug to mg divide by 1000, to go mg to ug multiply.

 

[Miami Reef]

To simplify for you- Look at very right column.
+ = how high it is from normal
- = the deficiency or amount low

Example is Mag- you are over by 219.
Your reading is 1441 should be about 1300. Do not add any Mag in this case until it lowers.

Yes, I see that. But I wanted to confirm with the chemists because I read that sometimes elements that show higher or lower don’t require changes.

 

[DrZoidburg]

1.58MG***Raises silicon to 1 ppm Sry did that all in my head. So if your at .30mg... you need .7mg/L. However you don't know what form it is in your tank. What form does test kit* actually measure? Plus the kinds you can get to dose it might not be soluble. Orthosilicic acid is dominant according to some sources. I would go by that one. In reality though its a mixture of different things that would measure out as silicon.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes, I see that. But I wanted to confirm with the chemists because I read that sometimes elements that show higher or lower don’t require changes.

You have to rely on their findings . Makes no sense to send in water if there is no confidence in the findings.
If I see a discrepency, I test for it to confirm what they are saying

 

[ScottieB]

Good answers so far, I don’t have much else to add specifically but I read this article a while back.

https://fritzaquatics.com/assets/files/uploads/ICP_TES.pdf

It’s from Fritz Aquatics and it describes ICP tests and specific brands in detail it also goes through specific elements and what they do. It’s well backed by science but written for layman. Worth a look though.

 

[Miami Reef]

I did take a look at the Red Sea trace colors, and letter C has all the elements I’m lacking. I will start a regular dosing of it tomorrow.

 

[Dan_P]

I did 3 15% water changes with IO salt before doing the test.

Should I dose zinc and the other element they are suggesting? Are those limiting elements? Because I’m not getting the algae growth I’m looking for.

Also, what is my silica level in PPM? I’m shooting for 1ppm-2ppm.

Thank you guys

You could try dosing Chaeto Gro to pep up macro algae growth.

 

[DrZoidburg]

Going to try to fix my blabber. You have .14mg silicon. Would be .3mg Silica so you need .7 silica to get 1mg. Out of that .7 would be .322mg silicon. Using sodium Metasilicate to get .322 mg silicon. You have this .322x1L= .322/% compound. Sodium metasilicate is 23%. .322/.23=1.4mg/L

 

[DrZoidburg]

I wouldn't mess with it for 2 reasons though. Looking at seachem test kit I have. Doesn't say specifically what their testing for just silicates. Also you don't know what form yours is in so all that dosage may not apply. What test kit are you using?

 

[Miami Reef]

You could try dosing Chaeto Gro to pep up macro algae growth.

Actually, it’s for micro algae, diatom, and wild sponge growth that I’m looking for

 

[Miami Reef]

Guys! Look at this chart!

And my tank is iron limited too! No wonder I’m not getting the algae and sponge growth I’ve been hoping for!

I can’t wait to start dosing these trace elements tomorrow! I’m so glad I did this ICP test

 

[DrZoidburg]

Going back to seachem kit it says multiply by .3 to get silicon. If say you wanted 1mg "silicates" you would need a bit less than above. To get the difference of .16 (silicon) which would read on that specific test kit as 1mg/L. .16mgx1L= .16/.23= .69mg/L sodium meta silicate.

 

[Dan_P]

Actually, it’s for micro algae, diatom, and wild sponge growth that I’m looking for

Do diatoms and micro algae have different trace element needs?

 

[Miami Reef]

Do diatoms and micro algae have different trace element needs?

I’m sorry. I got confused and assumed that cheato grow was just nitrates and phosphates.

I checked it out and it has all the elements in deficient in. It’s also more proven for algae growth instead of the watered down more expensive Red Sea version.

Thank you Dan for saving me money and time (because I can do weekly doses instead of daily with the cheato grow)

 

[Miami Reef]

I’m having a crazy eureka moment.

I was wondering: why is it that diatoms and algaes grow like crazy when my expired DI shoots silicates in ATO water, but when I’m dose pure silicates with 0 TDS water I get No diatom growth??

It just hit me! My TDS was supplying the other limiting nutrients/elements!

I want to shout from the rooftops about this discovery in the dino thread. So many people are raising nitrates and phosphates with very little algae competition. Imagine if we can get them to do an ICP test to figure out if they are also having limiting nutrients in their tanks!

 

[DrZoidburg]

Id like to add something again if you do pursue any silicates. That dose will get you where you want to be. (with dry salts) If though you need to dose again. It might be different also because different test kits use different factors to get it to silicon. As well some of these salts are very caustic.

 

[Dan_P]

I’m having a crazy eureka moment.

I was wondering: why is it that diatoms and algaes grow like crazy when my expired DI shoots silicates in ATO water, but when I’m dose pure silicates with 0 TDS water I get No diatom growth??

It just hit me! My TDS was supplying the other limiting nutrients/elements!

I want to shout from the rooftops about this discovery in the dino thread. So many people are raising nitrates and phosphates with very little algae competition. Imagine if we can get them to do an ICP test to figure out if they are also having limiting nutrients in their tanks!

Had a similar thought when coralline starting growing after dosing ChaetoGro. Also noticed a change in things growing in the aquarium. Pineapple sponge and those small hard white coiled organisms appeared out of no where and grew on everything. I can’t claim cause and effect, but I am keeping the conjecture in mind.

 

[Miami Reef]

Had a similar thought when coralline starting growing after dosing ChaetoGro. Also noticed a change in things growing in the aquarium. Pineapple sponge and those small hard white coiled organisms appeared out of no where and grew on everything. I can’t claim cause and effect, but I am keeping the conjecture in mind.

Reading this makes me really excited!