Causes for high aluminum

[Shnetts]

Hello, I just got my results back from my icp test and my aluminum is at 103 ug/l. Witch they say is 503% of what it should be. Im wondering where this could be coming from, I run a mini carbon reactor and I have some marine pure gems and filter floss and thats all I have for filtration. 5 gal water change a week. Just wondering where it could be entering the system from.

 

[rtparty]

Marine Pure.

Any white ceramic media leaches aluminum into the system

 

[vandy]

I had those marine pure balls and blocks in my sump and I read high aluminum as well. Ended up removing them and it fixed my issue

 

[Shnetts]

I had those marine pure balls and blocks in my sump and I read high aluminum as well. Ended up removing them and it fixed my issue

good to know, thank you for the info!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

good to know, thank you for the info!

Are you using any white media?

 

[Shnetts]

Are you using any white media?

the marine pure gems are an off white color, and my filter floss is defiantly white

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

the marine pure gems are an off white color, and my filter floss is defiantly white

Floss is not a concern, but the Marine Pure is a likely source.

 

[Shnetts]

Floss is not a concern, but the Marine Pure is a likely source.

noted, Im going to take them out tonight. How long should I wait for another ICP to check if its gone down?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

noted, Im going to take them out tonight. How long should I wait for another ICP to check if its gone down?

I would not rush. It may take a while and your levels are not, IMO, an emergency.

 

[Shnetts]

I would not rush. It may take a while and your levels are not, IMO, an emergency.

ok, just asking because I do a ICP once a month and Its due for one in about a week

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

ok, just asking because I do a ICP once a month and Its due for one in about a week

I'd just do your regular routine. :)

 

[Shnetts]

I'd just do your regular routine. :)

sounds good. Thank you for the help!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy reefing. :)

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

@Randy Holmes-Farley just wanted to see if there are some additional articles or testing information on the aluminum issue. I have a box of marine pure that I never got around to using. But, the aluminum leaching issue gives me pause. The main article I have come across was testing done by the manufacturer. (so grain of salt needs to be taken) lol

https://www.cermedia.com/2017/01/11/cermedias-marinepure-and-the-report-of-an-aluminum-issue/
Thanks for any additional info!

 

[Fanreef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley, Is this issue only Marine Pure? or different brands will have this issue as well?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

@Randy Holmes-Farley just wanted to see if there are some additional articles or testing information on the aluminum issue. I have a box of marine pure that I never got around to using. But, the aluminum leaching issue gives me pause. The main article I have come across was testing done by the manufacturer. (so grain of salt needs to be taken) lol

https://www.cermedia.com/2017/01/11/cermedias-marinepure-and-the-report-of-an-aluminum-issue/
Thanks for any additional info!

I tested and demonstrated that aluminum oxide, such as Seachem phosguard, can be a significant source of aluminum.

https://reefs.com/magazine/chemistry-and-the-aquarium-aluminum-in-the-reef-aquarium/
I've not seen too many careful studies of other materials. I know with Marine Pure there was some significant debate, and even claims that the aluminum released was actually from counterfeit products and not the real branded product.

I don't know all the answers to the question of what releases aluminum, but many folks using various sorts of white/off white media found elevated aluminum that declined on removal.

Since such media doesn't have a critical need in reefing (IMO), my suggestion is to just not use it.

 

[djf91]

Any idea if Siporax or Seachem Matrix contains this aluminum?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Any idea if Siporax or Seachem Matrix contains this aluminum?

I believe that Siporax does not. I don't know about Matrix.

 

[purpfish]

I think seachem matrix has Al because I used it and have high Al

 

[Louis Z]

I think that siporax is glass . Lost sea urchins and sea stars due to using MarinePure . They were fine before I put it in . When I was taking it out . It literally crumbled in my hands . So after years of water changes and siphoning . My new urchins growing fine . They were ORA aquaculture