Reef-Labs ICP results, what now?

[reefiniteasy]

Honestly I would contact OUC first and tell them that you had a test sent off and that it had lead in it a see if they would come out and take a sample and test it. It shouldn't cost you anything and I can't imagine that they wouldn't have a lab to test it. I work for the City of Edgewater over by NSB and if we have a lab in our little town I would figure so would orlando. Lol.

But that's just my thought. Rather than wasting the icp test. Because in reality if there is elevated lead levels in the water then they should technically get out there and flush that line and try to get the levels down and keep them down.

I called. They are coming out to collect samples. They only collect samples from between the street and home. So I’ll have to still test the RODI reservoir but then I’ll know what our tap is like. They were cool about it. It’ll take two days to get results as they have their own lab. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Calvin]

I called. They are coming out to collect samples. They only collect samples from between the street and home. So I’ll have to still test the RODI reservoir but then I’ll know what our tap is like. They were cool about it. It’ll take two days to get results as they have their own lab. Thank you for the suggestion.

Cool! That's great news! Mor than likely they'll take the sample at a hose bib unless they pull you meter to take it. And normally when a lead test is done (which has to be conducted every few years) they bring a jug to your house and your supposed to fill it up the next morning with the first draw of water first thing in the morning. And that's normally only for older houses that are pre dated before all of the lead stipulations with piping.

But that's good and I'm glad they are going to test it for you and at least you'll know. And it won't cost you an icp test!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

9 times the acceptable level.

Al Aluminum

0 - 0.0100 mg/l

0.0961 mg/l

I would not rely on that assertion. In my tests, 500 ppb was needed to cause issues, and many folks have 50 ppb without any apparent problems.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

IMO, it is very unlikely the lead (if any is actually present) came from the tap water.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Agreed, but the test result clearly labels it as Chlorine.
Not sure how great these tests actually are, but it was fun.

Yes, because that is the name of the element detected. Just like bromine and iodine are the element detected, but not the chemical form. Icp cannot give chemical information of any sort except what elements are present.

 

[Uncle99]

Yes, because that is the name of the element detected. Just like bromine and iodine are the element detected, but not the chemical form. Icp cannot give chemical information of any sort except what elements are present.

Thanks Randy.
My ICP test was not very helpful.
Just raises concerns that likely have no impact

 

[Saltydog69]

cannot trust that icp test.. the only verified useful icp machines are ati or triton... order one of those and you will get as close to actual numbers of your tank as you can.. do not make any changes based off of this icp test please..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks Randy.
My ICP test was not very helpful.
Just raises concerns that likely have no impact

That is certainly a likely outcome for some folks.

 

[reefiniteasy]

Cool! That's great news! Mor than likely they'll take the sample at a hose bib unless they pull you meter to take it. And normally when a lead test is done (which has to be conducted every few years) they bring a jug to your house and your supposed to fill it up the next morning with the first draw of water first thing in the morning. And that's normally only for older houses that are pre dated before all of the lead stipulations with piping.

But that's good and I'm glad they are going to test it for you and at least you'll know. And it won't cost you an icp test!

The guy from the lab called me this morning. They decided to test my tap in the house from the kitchen sink. I have to fill the bottle first thing Monday morning and call them. They will pick it up and bring it to the lab. They are testing for lead and copper. If positive, they will then take from the meter and go from there.

IMO, it is very unlikely the lead (if any is actually present) came from the tap water.

I personally think it’s a faulty test but we will see. If something was leaching in the aquarium would anything else be elevated besides lead? Also, doesn’t the RODI pull lead out? Lastly, can lead be present in frozen food? I feed LRS Reef Frenzy and Hikari Mysis. The icp that came with my AF salt says 0 for lead.

cannot trust that icp test.. the only verified useful icp machines are ati or triton... order one of those and you will get as close to actual numbers of your tank as you can.. do not make any changes based off of this icp test please..

I am going to pick up one of the new icp mass spec tests from icp-analysis. But I will look into those.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The guy from the lab called me this morning. They decided to test my tap in the house from the kitchen sink. I have to fill the bottle first thing Monday morning and call them. They will pick it up and bring it to the lab. They are testing for lead and copper. If positive, they will then take from the meter and go from there.



I personally think it’s a faulty test but we will see. If something was leaching in the aquarium would anything else be elevated besides lead? Also, doesn’t the RODI pull lead out? Lastly, can lead be present in frozen food? I feed LRS Reef Frenzy and Hikari Mysis. The icp that came with my AF salt says 0 for lead.



I am going to pick up one of the new icp mass spec tests from icp-analysis. But I will look into those.

I cannot say what could and could not be in all cases, but certainly some lead can get into the tank (a kid tossing in a lead fishing weight, etc.).

I suspect the level is neither real, nor a problem if real.

 

[reefiniteasy]

So I sent off another ICP on Saturday, April 9th to ICP-Analysis. It got to them on Monday and I had results Wednesday morning. Here they are. Small level of lead yet again.

@Calvin I also got the lab results back from the local utility. They did not find any lead in the tap water from the kitchen sink. I’m still curious where the lead might be coming from. I’m tempted to have my fresh salt tested along with my ESV 2-part.

Both ICP results show some deficiencies so I’m trying to decide if I should start dosing anything in addition to my 2-part.

 

[gbroadbridge]

So I sent off another ICP on Saturday, April 9th to ICP-Analysis. It got to them on Monday and I had results Wednesday morning. Here they are. Small level of lead yet again.

@Calvin I also got the lab results back from the local utility. They did not find any lead in the tap water from the kitchen sink. I’m still curious where the lead might be coming from. I’m tempted to have my fresh salt tested along with my ESV 2-part.

Both ICP results show some deficiencies so I’m trying to decide if I should start dosing anything in addition to my 2-part.

I hope that you realise that the amount of lead detected (if indeed it was detected and is not just noise) is within the normal trace amounts in normal seawater.

 

[reefiniteasy]

I hope that you realise that the amount of lead detected (if indeed it was detected and is not just noise) is within the normal trace amounts in normal seawater.

Didn’t realize that. But I’m not using natural seawater. I’m using synthetic. So I’m trying to figure out where it’s coming from, even though it is negligible. At this point I don’t believe it’s noise as two separate ICP tests from two separate companies signify its presence. The Aquaforest salt’s ICP shows no lead and my local utility shows nothing in our tap. Tank looks great. I’m just very curious.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Didn’t realize that. But I’m not using natural seawater. I’m using synthetic. So I’m trying to figure out where it’s coming from, even though it is negligible. At this point I don’t believe it’s noise as two separate ICP tests from two separate companies signify its presence. The Aquaforest salt’s ICP shows no lead and my local utility shows nothing in our tap. Tank looks great. I’m just very curious.

Natural lead levels vary a lot, but an unpolluted ocean average is about 0.04 ppb. The level reported here is well below natural levels.

There's no reason to think synthetic seawater should or will will have less lead than natural seawater, and some companies explicitly state it would be similar.

IMO, there's no issue or concern here, nor any reason to believe that all ICP companies can accurately detect very low lead levels.

 

[reefiniteasy]

Natural lead levels vary a lot, but an unpolluted ocean average is about 0.04 ppb. The level reported here is well below natural levels.

There's no reason to think synthetic seawater should or will will have less lead than natural seawater, and some companies explicitly state it would be similar.

IMO, there's no issue or concern here, nor any reason to believe that all ICP companies can accurately detect very low lead levels.

Thank you Randy. I appreciate you taking the time to check out this thread. Your knowledge, experience, and opinions are invaluable.

 

[taricha]

"0.008 ppb lead"
This is far lower than any plausible Limit of Detection for Pb (from hobby ICP)
Just because you can generate a number mathematically doesn't mean it's real or that it's a good idea to print it in a report sent to customers.

 

[reefiniteasy]

"0.008 ppb lead"
This is far lower than any plausible Limit of Detection for Pb (from hobby ICP)
Just because you can generate a number mathematically doesn't mean it's real or that it's a good idea to print it in a report sent to customers.

Thank you for your comment. I’ve realized it’s nothing to worry about. I appreciate you taking the time to have a look.

 

[reefiniteasy]

@taricha and @Randy Holmes-Farley how does one decide to dose trace elements like iron, zinc, manganese, etc and iodine. These ICP tests seem to signify I might benefit from such things but the tank looks great as is. Would I benefit from such things? Was thinking of the ESV transition elements and their potassium iodide. Just not sure if I should make any significant decisions based on this data.

 

[Garf]

@taricha and @Randy Holmes-Farley how does one decide to dose trace elements like iron, zinc, manganese, etc and iodine. These ICP tests seem to signify I might benefit from such things but the tank looks great as is. Would I benefit from such things? Was thinking of the ESV transition elements and their potassium iodide. Just not sure if I should make any significant decisions based on this data.

I see no data that suggests optimal levels. I also see no data that suggests these tests are accurate. That’s what makes it difficult, lol

 

[gbroadbridge]

@taricha and @Randy Holmes-Farley how does one decide to dose trace elements like iron, zinc, manganese, etc and iodine. These ICP tests seem to signify I might benefit from such things but the tank looks great as is. Would I benefit from such things? Was thinking of the ESV transition elements and their potassium iodide. Just not sure if I should make any significant decisions based on this data.

I've recently tried implementing some of the Trition suggestions after my last ICP of my 90g Mixed reef tank.

They suggested B, I, Mn, Mo and V.

I was already dosing Iodine in my top off water to maintain 60 ppb
The B and Mo were one off doses and I saw no difference in my tank.

The Mn and V have definitely improved the colors in Goniopora and Scolymia.
I didn't see any difference anywhere else.

Whether it would have the same visible effect in another tank, or whether this is a combination of other things (I also use AF Components Strong for trace elements in my 3 part dosing), I really don't know.

I doubt I will continue once I finish the current bottles as I'm not sure the cost justifies the result - perhaps if I can find a DIY alternative