Seeking Help! - Triton Results: Tin, Aluminum, Potassium...ZOMG.

[pmaddox]

I've been having mysterious issues with my sps and acans specifically not wanting to expand or let polyps out. Time and time again I've studied and talked to others to try and zero in on the issue(s). Finally, I decided to get a Triton test and I'm still having trouble breathing after reading the results.

I'm looking for experienced feedback especially for those who've had these issue(s).

See my full TRITON results here:
https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/aquarium/auswertung-b/icp-oes/26878/

Here is A LOT of detail about my tank including recent params:
Parameters over time including graphs (see the 150SCA tab in the spreadsheet)

Outline of tank hardware and setup:

1. TANK
   1. Jebao Wavemaker
   2. Gyre XF150 Wavemaker
   3. Weir overflow
2. SUMP
   1. Section 1 - Filter sock
      1. Filter Sock (bungee to hold. See photo)
      2. Cylinder shaped filter media in mesh bags (SCA Aquariums)
      3. **Jebao Doser (CA, Alk, NOPOX) installed over this section
      4. Eheim heater
   2. Section 2 - Skimmer & Cermedia blocks
      1. SC-Aquariums Skimmer (Atman PH-model pump)
      2. (2) 8x8x4" Cermedia Blocks
      3. Red Sea pump (for water movement through Cermedia)
   3. Section 3 - Refugium
      1. Live Refugium
         1. Cheap store bought substrate (see photo)
         2. Hydor wavemaker
         3. Mangroves, Chaeto, Red macro, small live rock
   4. Section 4 - Return chamber
      1. Jebao DCT-15000 Return pump
      2. Eheim heater
      3. *Reactor with BRS GFO (has only been in about a week. Was not present for Triton test.)
      4. Tunze ATO float and infrared eye
   5. Section 5 - ATO
      1. Tunze ATO and small Eheim heater

The tank has been up since Aug. 2016 but the inhabitants and all of the rock was fully cured and mature to start. I added new water and new substrate when I setup this tank and moved my 2 nano tanks contents into it.

Photos taken today 12/1/2017 for current visual status:

 

[csb123]

Following...I too had elevated tin and zinc on my most recent test, for which I can’t explain. I assume is coming from some metal somewhere, but for the life of me I can’t find the source. Dismantled, all the pumps, looked everywhere, and even bought a mechanics magnet to push thru the sand bed. I also am running Triton.

The frustrating thing is Triton recommended 6 x 15% ware changes to fix it. That kind of defeats the whole reason for doing Triton in the first place.

 

[BigJim]

One thing that jumps out at me is the bungie cord in the picture with your filter sock. If that hook is corroding and gets into the sump, it could be the issue. There are many threads here where people have found very small metal objects (razor blade, coins, rusted screw) causing big issues. I would try to replace anything metal in or near the sump with a non-metal alternative.

 

[Tim2@Triton]

I'm seeing drips coming off of your horizontal pvc plumbing and galvanized hose clamps in the drip path. The bungee cord hook is also a likely source of corroding metals. The screw retaining the gate valve handle is clearly corroded. I would start there

 

[Jason mack]

I had a similar situation a few months back .. found a leaking hose with a rusty clamp .. I followed tritons advice did a detox replaced hose and clamp and saw a great improvement in my tank ..

 

[pmaddox]

One thing that jumps out at me is the bungie cord in the picture with your filter sock. If that hook is corroding and gets into the sump, it could be the issue. There are many threads here where people have found very small metal objects (razor blade, coins, rusted screw) causing big issues. I would try to replace anything metal in or near the sump with a non-metal alternative.

I wondered that very thing. The experience of the collective group is super-helpful and I'll remove it tonight. I 'assumed' that it would be fine suspended above the water but clearly something is up.