Triton Labs help

smh254 · Jan 28, 2016

So I just got my first test results in. Everything seems to be OK to me but I would like some other opinions. is there anything that you guys see that I need to be concerned with? Thanks for any help.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1453990805.674780.jpg

marke · Jan 28, 2016

What jumps out at you from those numbers? Whats your opinion about the cause?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 28, 2016

Sorry, I missed this thread.

IMO, potassium seems low and I'd probably do something about that.

Sulfate (S) seems unusually high, but we don't really know what issues this causes (high or low). Are you using a lot of sulfate additives, such as magnesium sulfate? What salt mix?

Copper may be a minor concern, at least to make sure it doesn't drift higher in the future.

Are you using aluminum oxide phosphate binders or any white media that might be releasing aluminum? Not a big deal, just curious.

Nothing else especially notable, IMO.

smh254 · Jan 28, 2016

The lithium one really jumps out at me but I'm not really sure what it does to a reef tank. The second thing that jumps out at me is the copper.

smh254 · Jan 28, 2016

I have a 40b with 15g sump refusion mostly SPS. I use instant Ocean salt dose 2 part from BRS and add about 5ml a week flourish nitrogen to keep my NO3 up a little. I did add 3 Fish I had Corentine in copper couple days before I sent off the test this might be where the copper issue come from. I also add a 6 1/2 ounce bag of chemi pure elite once a month.and that's all I add to my tank.

smh254 · Jan 28, 2016

I will start dosing potassium

marke · Jan 28, 2016

What salt do you use? What additives? Cu, Zn, Li? Based on Randy article the potential inputs could be fish food, 2 part, other additives like trace or others? And cheap salt as they may use cheap raw materials with these impurites as by products. The low K is a concern, and should be remedied. USP Potassium Chloride will work. Just an opinion, but cheap salt may come in low in K?

JimWelsh · Jan 28, 2016

smh254 said:
The lithium one really jumps out at me but I'm not really sure what it does to a reef tank. The second thing that jumps out at me is the copper.

Your lithium is high compared to NSW, but low compared to most people's Triton results (at least here in the USA). Don't sweat the lithium at all. Mine is more than 10 times what yours is!

smh254 · Jan 28, 2016

My tank is been up and running for 18 months now with no major issues. I was using IO reef crystals for about 15 months then switch to regular IO. I was having a small problem with IO/RC after a water change my levels would go up so I switched and levels seem to stay the same. I've never tested for potassium. This is the whole reason I sent the test in to triton labs to learn new things.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 28, 2016

smh254 said:
The lithium one really jumps out at me but I'm not really sure what it does to a reef tank. The second thing that jumps out at me is the copper.

I do not believe lithium is a concern. Lots of people,have it, probably from their salt mix. Mine is similar:

http://www.reefedition.com/my-triton-testing-results-by-randy-holmes-farley/

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 29, 2016

smh254 said:
My tank is been up and running for 18 months now with no major issues. I was using IO reef crystals for about 15 months then switch to regular IO. I was having a small problem with IO/RC after a water change my levels would go up so I switched and levels seem to stay the same. I've never tested for potassium. This is the whole reason I sent the test in to triton labs to learn new things.

FWIW, the IO is not likely the cause of low potassium. It typically has plenty. I'm not sure why yours reads low except to state the obvious: if the value is correct, you are presumably exporting more than the foods you are feeding are adding. There are a number of ways it can be removed from the tank, ranging from organism growth (including bacteria and macroaglae) and using a two part that does not contain potassium.

smh254 · Jan 29, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, the IO is not likely the cause of low potassium. It typically has plenty. I'm not sure why yours reads low except to state the obvious: if the value is correct, you are presumably exporting more than the foods you are feeding are adding. There are a number of ways it can be removed from the tank, ranging from organism growth (including bacteria and macroaglae) and using a two part that does not contain potassium.

The Chaetomorpha I have grows fast. I don't do to many water changes any more maybe 30% every 6 weeks. Witch of these do you think I should do? go back to doing water every week, remove chaetomorpha, dose potassium or a little of all?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 29, 2016

smh254 said:
The Chaetomorpha I have grows fast. I don't do to many water changes any more maybe 30% every 6 weeks. Witch of these do you think I should do? go back to doing water every week, remove chaetomorpha, dose potassium or a little of all?

Dosing potassium would seem easiest and cheapest. Water changes might be good for other reasons, but that's up to you.

This seems like a cheap and good way to go to me:

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Potassium-Chloride-Powder-8-oz-227-g/777

gpwdr · Jan 29, 2016

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
I do not believe lithium is a concern. Lots of people,have it, probably from their salt mix. Mine is similar:

http://www.reefedition.com/my-triton-testing-results-by-randy-holmes-farley/

I did water changes with Triton PURE salt and it lowered the lithium to
194.50 μg/l. No water changes for more than 6 months and the lithium has not increased.

Now I have to add some LI when I get a water test done.