High level of zinc (141.3 uq/l)

TheGrimReeferTx · Sep 10, 2024

I am hoping someone can help me solve the overnight zinc issue.

I just got an ICP test back with 141.3 ug/l for Zinc. Which I have never been high on, in fact low. I haven't dosed any zinc and am currently breaking down the tank to look for corrosion. My corals for the most part look very happy. I have 3 corals that developed some STN a few weeks ago from what I thought was a lighting issue (My lights malfunctioned and stayed on for 24 hours while I was traveling due to work). I thought this caused these corals to decline, but I am now wondering if it could be the zinc.

I am wondering if zinc could even get that high and have corals and fish still living and thriving. Could this just be a contaminated ICP sample?

Any help is appreciated!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 10, 2024

We rarely have good info on how high trace elements need to be to cause an issue.

Can you post the whole icp?

TheGrimReeferTx · Sep 10, 2024

@Randy Holmes-Farley - Thank you for the help. Full ICP above.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Sep 10, 2024

It does seem to be a good chance this from a galvanized metal object, such as a nail, a screw, hose clamp (though those are more often stainless steel), etc

TheGrimReeferTx · Sep 10, 2024

Are you aware of any ways to remove the zinc?

At what level should a water change be my go-to?

I will look for something corroding to help resolve the issue.

TheGrimReeferTx · Sep 10, 2024

@Randy Holmes-Farley - I looked through the tank. No corrosion to speak of. Not even any hose clamps. I did notice my RO for this last test was 8.37ug/l, which is high. No other metals are present in that reading.

My last ICP was on 7/19/24 and my zinc was at 3.95 ug/l. The RO zinc reading at that time was 4.36ug/l.

All other ICPs show no zinc in RO, and all other ICPs before the 7/19 test show low zinc levels.

I checked my RO container. No metal in it, or that would come in contact with it. The only metal that could be touching the system is in the pipes before the RO process. The TDS meter on my 5-stage RO system is reading 16 ppm before stage 5 and 2 ppm after stage 5.

Any advice?