Sounds like you got a lot of faith in icp lol… from what I’ve seen, You send the same sample to multiple labs and everyone varies.. Dan and taricha have shown home test are more accurate for what it’s worth…
Could be anything, copper,tin, atmospheric pollution. Unless you send in an ICP every month, and even that might not be in time or even catch the issue. I see it as an easy preventative measure. I don't care whether someone else does them or not. I would recommend that newer people to the hobby do them though. They won't be as in tune with the tank or even know what to look for.
ICP-MS appears to be better at detection based on a different method as well as able to measure below the methods you are referring to.
If you believe that partial water changes will save you in the event something such as tin being leached before an ICP results are known then go with that. I don't and I don't think newbies should subscribe to an antiquated concept just because most do it and being newbies might benefit the most from ICP in that they are likely clueless to identify what's happening based on purely observation or hobby level test kits. My beliefs. You don't have to subscribe to them. I'm not forcing myself on others. Just sharing thoughts. Each grown up enough to decide for themselves and if they aren't best not get in this hobby.
It’s been a while, Sunrise was the name of mountain and I thought the blvd… maybe 10 min from Nellie’s AFB
Just because it's been done for as long as aquariums have existed doesn't make it antiquated. It's a tool to use, or not. You can be successful in the hobby with lots of different methods.
Then why argue with me. Just accept I have a different view then self. I choose not to use this tool which used to be used to solve ammonia and nitrites. Hence the antiquated notion. :)
In my opinion water changes are a bit overrated for nitrate and phosphate reduction is because there are easier and cheaper ways to lower them.
Nutrients (nitrate and phosphate) is not the same as organic removal.
Correct sunrise mountain the mountain runs parallel to Hollywood Blvd at the base of it. nellis also runs parallel to that about 2 miles west. Plenty of streets off nellis such as bonanza, Washington, lake mead etc but no street called sunrise.. and the only fish store I can think of around back then was trop aquarium which is still around amazingly it’s gotta be going on 40 years lol.. they set me up with my first salt water tank with a under ground filter and some aqua clears to drive it! :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:
When people say "Nutrient Export" or "Nutrient Removal" they're often referring to Nitrates and Phosphates, as well as organics that have not decomposed which will ultimately create more nitrates and Phosphates.... So in a sense, "Organic Removal" falls under the umbrella term Nutrient Export/Removal... This is why people vacuum sand beds during water changes... To remove organic waste that will eventually break down into nitrates and Phosphates...
Of course not. Why would you even think that? I have been on these forums long before there were forums and I never mocked anyone. I was just stating a fact. I am not even sure what "Great Success" in this hobby means.
My assumption is fair. You quote great success as if you question its usage, and in a rather condescending way you choose to highlight your experience, and at the same time fail to acknowledge any of the other statements in my post.
