ICP Test Help

[Steven9194]

Recently got my ICP test back and shows a bunch of trace elements are lacking. I plan to purchase some and begin dosing, however I was wondering if they are all necessary? If not which ones are the most important to start with first. I would love to be able to grow a verity of corals, currently only softies seem to survive and I’m guessing this test shows me why lol

It also shows high aluminum, yet I have 0 clue what would cause that.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Recently got my ICP test back and shows a bunch of trace elements are lacking. I plan to purchase some and begin dosing, however I was wondering if they are all necessary? If not which ones are the most important to start with first. I would love to be able to grow a verity of corals, currently only softies seem to survive and I’m guessing this test shows me why lol

It also shows high aluminum, yet I have 0 clue what would cause that.

High Aluminium can be caused by some types of bio media bricks, and also if you use Aluminium Oxide based Phosphate removers like Phosguard.

Generally all ICP tests will show some elements are low - the easiest fix if they concern you is to buy a trace element mix like Tropic Marin A/K.

If you post the results here we can give some further guidance.

 

[Steven9194]

High Aluminium can be caused by some types of bio media bricks, and also if you use Aluminium Oxide based Phosphate removers like Phosguard.

Generally all ICP tests will show some elements are low - the easiest fix if they concern you is to buy a trace element mix like Tropic Marin A/K.

If you post the results here we can give some further guidance.

Sorry. I don’t know why or how. But I created two posts and this one doesn’t have the results lol but here they are.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I closed the other one.

 

[Steven9194]

I closed the other one.

Thanks, I couldn’t figure out how to delete it…

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, I couldn’t figure out how to delete it…

You can't. When it happens, just report the duplicate.

 

[Reefahholic]

Sorry. I don’t know why or how. But I created two posts and this one doesn’t have the results lol but here they are.

When you said reg water changes on the other thread, how much and which salt? Just curious.

 

[Steven9194]

When you said reg water changes on the other thread, how much and which salt? Just curious.

I use Fritz RPM. I do a 25g change on a 125g tank every two weeks.

 

[Reefahholic]

I use Fritz RPM. I do a 25g change on a 125g tank every two weeks.

Not bad, surprised the traces weren’t a little higher.

 

[Steven9194]

Not bad, surprised the traces weren’t a little higher.

How do you do feel about All For Reef? It was recommended to start dosing it daily to get my numbers back in line.

 

[rishma]

How do you do feel about All For Reef? It was recommended to start dosing it daily to get my numbers back in line.

Not laughing at the question but there is another where @Reefahholic talked about getting lots of questions about AFR. He’ll provide a well thought out perspective.

I personally have had good results with AFR

 

[Reefahholic]

How do you do feel about All For Reef? It was recommended to start dosing it daily to get my numbers back in line.

I’m not a fan of AIO’s, but there’s a couple things to consider.

If you have a younger system that isn’t very established expect some trace elements to drift out of target range. Sometimes wildly out of target range. Anybody who sends ICP sees that. It obviously depends on the system, but you see it a lot. This forces people to stop dosing whatever bottle is overdosing X element, but that also stops everything else in the bottle which isn’t good at all.


The other scenario is If you have an established system…let’s say 18-24 months plus..and the system is doing well moderately stocked and stable. You will probably not have too many issues with elements running wild. The consumption will be able to handle the fixed ratios in those bottles if the tank is growing and there’s enough biomass. In that case, you’ll often need to supplement more of whatever trace element or even a major element that is becoming low or depleted.

For these reasons, I quit all AIO products a long time ago, and started to use a method that is more precise, and gives you complete control over the entire chemistry. No more over or underdosing. I give the tank exactly what it needs, and send ICP-MS to monitor all parameters monthly.

 

[klc]

I haven't done ICP testing but a few times, every time I get the same elements that show being depleted. I'm not going to start chasing element concentrations for a hobby level experience I just don't think it's necessary. Your corals will tell you more about your tank than anything.

 

[Reefahholic]

Not laughing at the question but there is another where @Reefahholic talked about getting lots of questions about AFR. He’ll provide a well thought out perspective.

I personally have had good results with AFR

I definitely get a ton of questions about AFR. People like simplicity. In this hobby it’s far from simple regardless of what people try to say. Reef tanks are complex, and if you really want a nice reef it takes some
work. The system needs to be tested and monitored to achieve good chemistry. When you start to look at the data you quickly realize the weak areas in your chemistry, and most reefers want to correct that. However, there are some reefers who just want to setup and tank and reef blind. Not my cup of tea. To each his own.

The same person who will cry about simplicity, or that we don’t need to send ICP, or who cares about trace elements…that is the same guy that usually ends up trying to test all the major salt brands on the market.

 

[Reefahholic]

I haven't done ICP testing but a few times, every time I get the same elements that show being depleted. I'm not going to start chasing element concentrations for a hobby level experience I just don't think it's necessary. Your corals will tell you more about your tank than anything.

So check it out. Try sending OCEAMO’s ICP-MS next time, and you will see those elements pop up. You would be amazed at the color, growth, and stability a 0.35 ug/L tweak can make on Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Cu, Se, Ni, Zn…

Check out the chart below:

 

[klc]

I do use Reef Blueprint Isol8 MT on a daily basis for both my display and frag tank and I have seen a color improvement with sps. I don't have the bottle in front of me or I'd list what it adds.

My problem with ICP testing is that IMO it adds another level of frustration and ultimately another level of cost to an already overpriced hobby. There are far too many "influencers" who preach that ICP is necessary and without it your tank and your corals are doomed. And for anyone who has been in the hobby for any length of time knows that is just not true. I don't believe the guy (or girl) who sets up a 30g nano and keeps some zoanthids and a clownfish needs to spend their hard earned money on it. If I had to earn a living growing corals or had a farm such as Tidal Gardens then sure a "moonshiners" approach would probably be worth the expense, but for many hobbyists it is a totally unnecessary expense.

But that is just my opinion so keep on reefing on.

 

[Reefahholic]

I do use Reef Blueprint Isol8 MT on a daily basis for both my display and frag tank and I have seen a color improvement with sps. I don't have the bottle in front of me or I'd list what it adds.

If you’re dosing some Isol8 MT, you’re adding:

• Iodide
• Molybdenum
• Nickel
• Zinc
• Manganese
• Selenium
• Vanadium
• Iron
• Copper
• Cobalt

I can definitely see that being very beneficial. Keep it going since it’s not overdosing anything yet or at least according to your last ICP.

My problem with ICP testing is that IMO it adds another level of frustration and ultimately another level of cost to an already overpriced hobby.

It certainly adds cost. No doubt about that. I’m not rich by any means. I do actually enjoy correcting element’s though, so for me it’s not frustrating. Only the longer corrections over several days gets annoying, but I try to compensate for that for the next month.

There are far too many "influencers" who preach that ICP is necessary and without it your tank and your corals are doomed.

A lot of influencers for sure. I don’t think corals will be doomed without ICP, but they will definitely be healthier, and more robust with stronger chemistry. I try to keep them as healthy as possible to avoid issues with pathogens.

I don't believe the guy (or girl) who sets up a 30g nano and keeps some zoanthids and a clownfish needs to spend their hard earned money on it.

Agreed. Not worth it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

How do you do feel about All For Reef? It was recommended to start dosing it daily to get my numbers back in line.

Ignoring the concept of getting numbers in line, which seems to have the potential to be very misleading, many folks have found that AFR improves their perception of how the tank organisms look relative to not dosing.

 

[Steven9194]

When you said reg water changes on the other thread, how much and which salt? Just curious.

Just seen some of your replies today, after I had already got AFR. I dosed it over the last few days, along with a 25g water change and these were my numbers today. Still not seeing improvement with corals and this algae (maybe cyano), doesn’t seem to be lightening up at all.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just seen some of your replies today, after I had already got AFR. I dosed it over the last few days, along with a 25g water change and these were my numbers today. Still not seeing improvement with corals and this algae (maybe cyano), doesn’t seem to be lightening up at all.

FWIW, I don't really see a reason to think that dosing AFR will reduce cyanobacteria.