ICP Test High Tin and Copper

[Archaic37]

Tank thread https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/a-macro-cube.39536/page-2

Triton ICP test came back and I have multiple heavy metals in the tank! Tin is most elevated, some copper.

The phosphorous and phosphate test disagrees with my Hanna phosphorous tests. I tested phosphorous the same day as the ICP test went out and it read 22 ppb (22 ug/l) and the test shows 52ppb. The hanna checker has new batteries and the reagents are brand new. I do not have a phosphate test kit.

The general recommendation is 15% water changes every week. I will also check the MP10 wet side but Im generally at a loss of where it is coming from.

Fluval 207 with fluval vinyl hoses. AI says the hose could leach
PETG 3d printed overflow corner?
All for reef
Red sea reef energy
Live phytoplankton from local bay area vendor
frozen brine/mysis shrimp
ATO Reservoir??? Bashea brand, had washed with vinegar
RODI has all new filters and reads 0tds
red sea blue bucket alt
BRS titanium heater

https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/icp-oes/233812

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[Alexander1312]

Tank thread https://www.bareefers.org/forum/threads/a-macro-cube.39536/page-2

Triton ICP test came back and I have multiple heavy metals in the tank! Tin is most elevated, some copper.

The phosphorous and phosphate test disagrees with my Hanna phosphorous tests. I tested phosphorous the same day as the ICP test went out and it read 22 ppb (22 ug/l) and the test shows 52ppb. The hanna checker has new batteries and the reagents are brand new. I do not have a phosphate test kit.

The general recommendation is 15% water changes every week. I will also check the MP10 wet side but Im generally at a loss of where it is coming from.

Fluval 207 with fluval vinyl hoses. AI says the hose could leach
PETG 3d printed overflow corner?
All for reef
Red sea reef energy
Live phytoplankton from local bay area vendor
frozen brine/mysis shrimp
ATO Reservoir??? Bashea brand, had washed with vinegar
RODI has all new filters and reads 0tds
red sea blue bucket alt
BRS titanium heater

https://www.triton-lab.de/en/showroom/icp-oes/233812

View attachment 78333
View attachment 78334
View attachment 78335

I am one who is chasing numbers but based on the results you received from Triton, NO immediate action is needed.

Copper - measured amount is actually desireable, but Triton likes to flag it as concerning. If it keeps rising above 5 ug/L, you could look into the source.

Tin - measured amount is not too concerning, but if you bought cheap tubing, replace them, and stop feeding brine shrimp aka junk food (this will trigger many ...), and see how where your tin (and copper) levels go after a few months.

PO4 - get a different Hanna Checker, i.e., the ULR, which is known to be relatively accurate. Your Triton results are good enough.

 

[Archaic37]

I am one who is chasing numbers but based on the results you received from Triton, NO immediate action is needed.

Copper - measured amount is actually desireable, but Triton likes to flag it as concerning. If it keeps rising above 5 ug/L, you could look into the source.

Tin - measured amount is not too concerning, but if you bought cheap tubing, replace them, and stop feeding brine shrimp aka junk food (this will trigger many ...), and see how where your tin (and copper) levels go after a few months.

PO4 - get a different Hanna Checker, i.e., the ULR, which is known to be relatively accurate. Your Triton results are good enough.

I have the hanna phosphorous ULR, but don't have a phosphate kit. I thought you could directly compare phosphorous to phosphate with the conversion chart but it looks like ICP has 2 different parameters for that.

The tubing I bought was branded as Fluval so should have been higher quality than any amazon tube.

I purchased some poly floss, purigen, cuprisorb as a reaction to the ICP test but youre suggesting I just continue as normal? My Hammers and softies still seem quite affected by something in the tank.

 

[Alexander1312]

I have the hanna phosphorous ULR, but don't have a phosphate kit. I thought you could directly compare phosphorous to phosphate with the conversion chart but it looks like ICP has 2 different parameters for that.

The tubing I bought was branded as Fluval so should have been higher quality than any amazon tube.

I purchased some poly floss, purigen, cuprisorb as a reaction to the ICP test but youre suggesting I just continue as normal? My Hammers and softies still seem quite affected by something in the tank.

Yes, I think you should have this one: https://premiumaquatics.com/collect...5&_sid=d793373f2&_ss=r&variant=47329528742130

it might not be the tubing then. But the brine shrimps are VERY LIKELY too.

Can you post your full ICP results? Sorry, I know you did but the link did not work for me.

 

[Archaic37]

Heres the PDF.

For the brine I probably feed 1/2 cube every few days but mainly feed mysis. I can start rinsing the mysis too or switch to Rods food?

 

[Alexander1312]

Heres the PDF.

For the brine I probably feed 1/2 cube every few days but mainly feed mysis. I can start rinsing the mysis too or switch to Rods food?

That worked.

The ICP looks actually pretty good.

Other than tin, your zinc is also slightly elevated. This is also another indicator that it might come from the food, i.e., brine shrimps in particular. Feeding 1/2 cube every few days into a smaller tank can be enough to increase these parameters over time. Rinsing food will not help as it is inside them. Switching to Rods food could be not a bad idea.

Also, high zinc in combination with lower nickel and vanadium can lead to problems. So either lower your zinc intake or make sure your nickel and vanadium are higher (and zinc should remain lower than 10).

But what might be a lower hanging fruit is to raise your iodine up to 100 ug/L, target in the high 80s.

I do not see anything else that could be better dialed in although there are always ‘optimal’ level to chase .

Some might point out your 0 iron and manganese parameters but if you are using a good salt, there should be enough in the water even if not detected. You could dose these separately and might see results but I would not recommend doing that, even though this is a popular recommendation.