Aluminum.. how high is too high?

[G_Lows]

Triton ICP shows my aluminum level at 59ug/L… borderline critical. I’m running some maxspect spheres but from my research those seem to be pretty clean, I am however using an unknown type of rock I purchased from my LFS that is all flats. It isn’t the most porous rock but I’m wondering if that is the culprit. I will do an ICP to confirm this, however how high is too high when it comes to aluminum and coral growth.. and overall chemistry? If my ICP shows it is the rock would I want to look at replacing with my levels where they are? SPS and Acros are what I keep the most of.. the tank is about 1 year old (started everything dry, and had to do a partial reset around Xmas from turf algae) and it’s just not where I expected it to be at by now..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t think it’s at emergency levels.

What do you want the spheres to be accomplishing?

 

[SlowAndStupid]

My aluminum began creeping up on icp. At first I thought perhaps it was biomedia. Then one of my gyres started acting up and when I pulled it apart to inspect, the magnet in the motor had burst open and was rusting into the tano. Any chance you could have the same issue?

 

[G_Lows]

I don’t think it’s at emergency levels.

What do you want the spheres to be accomplishing?

Biological filtration… tank is a 33 AIO so all I’m using for filtration is a roller filter, an undersized UV and the spheres (other than the rock in the tank itself and water changes). Is there reason to not use them?

 

[G_Lows]

My aluminum began creeping up on icp. At first I thought perhaps it was biomedia. Then one of my gyres started acting up and when I pulled it apart to inspect, the magnet in the motor had burst open and was rusting into the tano. Any chance you could have the same issue?

I have an mp10 I will take a look at. It is rather old.

 

[G_Lows]

My aluminum began creeping up on icp. At first I thought perhaps it was biomedia. Then one of my gyres started acting up and when I pulled it apart to inspect, the magnet in the motor had burst open and was rusting into the tano. Any chance you could have the same issue?

Is this cause for concern?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Biological filtration… tank is a 33 AIO so all I’m using for filtration is a roller filter, an undersized UV and the spheres (other than the rock in the tank itself and water changes). Is there reason to not use them?

What does that mean, though? No tank with rock or sand needs nitrifying space, and I consider it a detriment.

If you mean denitrifying, maybe it does that and maybe not.

All such media are an aluminum risk unless proven otherwise.

 

[G_Lows]

Biological filtration… tank is a 33 AIO so all I’m using for filtration is a roller filter, an undersized UV and the spheres (other than the rock in the tank itself and water changes). Is there reason to not use them?

What does that mean, though? No tank with rock or sand needs nitrifying space, and I consider it a detriment.

If you mean denitrifying, maybe it does that and maybe not.

All such media are an aluminum risk unless proven otherwise.

Can I remove it all at once or would you advise against that?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can I remove it all at once or would you advise against that?

To be clear, I’m not saying you need to remove it. You may not notice any change in the tank creature if you do. I’m just saying that if it were me, I’d remove it. If the tank has plenty of rock and sand, I’d remove it all at once just for convenience, but there is nothing wrong with removing it in stages a couple of days or more apart.

 

[G_Lows]

Can I remove it all at once or would you advise against that?

To be clear, I’m not saying you need to remove it. You may not notice any change in the tank creature if you do. I’m just saying that if it were me, I’d remove it. If the tank has plenty of rock and sand, I’d remove it all at once just for convenience, but there is nothing wrong with removing it in stages a couple of days or more apart.

I understand what you’re saying. It’s not needed if you have adequate rock and or sand, which I do. About 20lbs of rock and no sand. I can also assume that over filtration can be a bad thing, and could explain why I have a hard time keeping my p04 up, if that is true then removing these might solve my aluminum problem, and make it easier to keep my p04 up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not sure it will help phosphate, but there’s a good chance it will help aluminum and help corals by allowing them to use more ammonia and less nitrate.

 

[mak5487]

My aluminum began creeping up on icp. At first I thought perhaps it was biomedia. Then one of my gyres started acting up and when I pulled it apart to inspect, the magnet in the motor had burst open and was rusting into the tano. Any chance you could have the same issue

Any chance you could describe what you saw with your Gyres? I have a couple and high aluminum. Wondering if I am running into the same problem.

Thanks