Toxicity of 2 part?

marke · Oct 3, 2015

Randy
I recently read your article ( three times) called Reef aquaria with low soluble metals
I also read Ron Shimek. The toxicity of some artificial sea water

Ron puts in question the impurities and heavy metals that we get with our salt mixes. Showing it affects the development of embryos.

Your article discusses ways to not add via food or other methods these potentially toxic metals. Also sharing some ideas on export of these heavy metals.

My questions

1 Does Gac carbon export these unwanted metals?
Do you recommend running Gac 24/7?

2. You discussed that we add these toxic metals various way. One possibly being 2 part. So would it make sense to use a 2 part that has less metals in it? Or a usp or pharmaceutical grade as opposed to an industrial grade product? On the assumption usp has less impurities or toxic metals than industrial grade material intended for agricultural use were the toxics may not be as relevant?

3. Does the use of Gfo which I use to reduce po4 also pull toxic metals? Do you approve of Gfo use?

4. How can I test my system for toxic metals? Test kits? How do you and Ron do it.

Thank you in advance for the continued increase in my knowledge about this hobby

twilliard · Oct 3, 2015

The triton water analysis will show the quantity of heavy metals

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 3, 2015

GAC will bind organics and most metals in reef aquaria are likely bound to organics. So yes, GAC will export some of them, and some companies even sell organics to bind metals and export via skimming or GAC (e.g., Triton Detox).

Here's a discussion of the metals I found and did not find in my aquarium water with Triton testing. I did not have any significant metals issues, but some people do. Most often the source seems other than salt mixes.

https://www.reef2reef.com/blog/my-triton-testing-results-by-randy-holmes-farley/

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 3, 2015

As to two part ingredients, purity is a double edged sword. Dowflake supplies a significant (and necessary) amount of potassium. A more purified product might make a potassium-deficient two part product.

But you can always add that back, if you want.

Buying a cleaner product gives you more control, in any case, and seems a good plan if you can afford it.

I discuss that here:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/potassium-depletion-and-two-part-usage.215305/