ICP test results and how to move forward.

[Ree0712]

Good afternoon All,

I have recently done an ICP test on my 200l redsea reefer and got the following results back. I am a little unsure how to move forward with the dosing of trace elements. I have some trace colours from the redsea range which came with the tank but i am not dosing calcium as this seems to be stable all the time.

I have noticed a severe decline in coral health and some algae growth. I can see the phosphates are all over the place (my hanna checker is still reading 0.02 so this needs to be addressed, I was thinking of dosing nopox) and I see the aluminium is high, I did recently use some Seachem phosguard as I thought the phospahtes were high because of some algae growth but wasn't sure because the tests always cam eback in range.

Basically I need someone to have a little look over this and point me in the right direction to rectify all of this and in which order to do it.

Thanks in advance

 

[dmsc2fs]

Start with the following.

1. make a list of all the elements in your ICP that are left of green. Or have the big "Dose" button on them. Take that list and look at this thread and remove any that are not green or light green.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-elements-to-dose.952/


Now look at the item you want to dose. Red Sea Color+ I think you mentioned. Look at the elements in it. If you find any listed that are on the right side of the recommendation from your ICP it may be a bad product to use. It may lead to providing more of an element you are all ready trending heavy on.

After all that someone else will have some better suggestions on what might be good to start dosing with. The list you made is where you start looking. Iodine appears low for you and many people target does that.

 

[Ree0712]

Start with the following.

1. make a list of all the elements in your ICP that are left of green. Or have the big "Dose" button on them. Take that list and look at this thread and remove any that are not green or light green.

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randys-elements-to-dose.952/


Now look at the item you want to dose. Red Sea Color+ I think you mentioned. Look at the elements in it. If you find any listed that are on the right side of the recommendation from your ICP it may be a bad product to use. It may lead to providing more of an element you are all ready trending heavy on.

After all that someone else will have some better suggestions on what might be good to start dosing with. The list you made is where you start looking. Iodine appears low for you and many people target does that.

It looks like I need to dose quite a few of these elements. Would these be replaced when doing a water change? I use the redsea blue bucket, or would I need to get individual additives? The redsea trace colours dont really say whats in them. Is there a better brand which is used which people suggest?

 

[rc8t6353]

If you aren't dosing anything other than the red sea colors, I would recommend doing large water changes until the trace elements are replenished. I've also been reading about the Reef Moonshine method which allows you to dose individual trace elements based off of your ICP results. I've heard it's a little expensive to get started but the results seem to be good.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Good afternoon All,

I have recently done an ICP test on my 200l redsea reefer and got the following results back. I am a little unsure how to move forward with the dosing of trace elements. I have some trace colours from the redsea range which came with the tank but i am not dosing calcium as this seems to be stable all the time.

I have noticed a severe decline in coral health and some algae growth. I can see the phosphates are all over the place (my hanna checker is still reading 0.02 so this needs to be addressed, I was thinking of dosing nopox) and I see the aluminium is high, I did recently use some Seachem phosguard as I thought the phospahtes were high because of some algae growth but wasn't sure because the tests always cam eback in range.

Basically I need someone to have a little look over this and point me in the right direction to rectify all of this and in which order to do it.

Thanks in advance

I don't see anything significant there that needs correction.

A 10% weekly water change will keep things in line.

If you have coral problems I'd be looking at flow or lighting along with keeping basic parameters stable.

 

[Ree0712]

I don't see anything significant there that needs correction.

A 10% weekly water change will keep things in line.

If you have coral problems I'd be looking at flow or lighting along with keeping basic parameters stable.

My hammer and my Acans have been fine for months and nothing has changed flow and light wise, The temps have risen because of the air temp in my area right now and i have ordered a fan to increase surface agitation. Since the temps have risen the algae has gotten worse so i assume they are linked.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Trace elements do not typically correct significant coral health issues, but experimenting with dosing a mix like Tropic Marin A and K is a fine plan.

Are you measuring nitrate?

Phosphate is borderline low.

 

[Ree0712]

Trace elements do not typically correct significant coral health issues, but experimenting with dosing a mix like Tropic Marin A and K is a fine plan.

Are you measuring nitrate?

Phosphate is borderline low.

Yes i do measure nitrate at with my hanna checker, the last test reading was 6.0. AS for the Phosphate from what i was reading it is high? 0.12 when its meant to be 0.02? or am I wrong?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes i do measure nitrate at with my hanna checker, the last test reading was 6.0. AS for the Phosphate from what i was reading it is high? 0.12 when its meant to be 0.02? or am I wrong?

You posted 0.02 ppm in your first post, which is borderline low. 0.12 is fine and is not causing coral problems.

 

[Ree0712]

Yes i put 0.02 is what my hanna checker is saying which is what I thought I was aiming for? The ICP test came back with 0.12 which i assumed was too high? Sorry if i am not getting this right im getting confused now.

 

[Ree0712]

You posted 0.02 ppm in your first post, which is borderline low. 0.12 is fine and is not causing coral problems.

Sorry also because of this algae growth I am getting should I not try to bring the phosphates down? I know its a delicate balance so I don't want to do anything that will have adverse effects

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No, do not bring phosphate lower, I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, and above that range is better than below it.

 

[Ree0712]

No, do not bring phosphate lower, I recommend 0.02 to 0.1 ppm, and above that range is better than below it.

Ok thank you. So what would you suggest in terms of the hair algae growth? If the water is good I wonder what’s going on

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ok thank you. So what would you suggest in terms of the hair algae growth? If the water is good I wonder what’s going on

Algae is not best dealt with by lowering nutrients since that can starve things we want to thrive such as corals. Herbivores are a better way to go.

 

[Ree0712]

Algae is not best dealt with by lowering nutrients since that can starve things we want to thrive such as corals. Herbivores are a better way to go.

Ok perfect. I think I was just hung up on there being a problem with the water and had tunnel vision

 

[gbroadbridge]

Ok thank you. So what would you suggest in terms of the hair algae growth? If the water is good I wonder what’s going on

Unfortunately, the solution to hair algae is elbow grease and a tooth brush

Once you have it trimmed back to stubble, herbivores like urchins and snails are the way to go.

Avoid using any chemical treatments as they rarely fix the issue and usually create greater problems down the track.