Elements not raising as expected

[bmelvin20]

I have been trying to dial in my minor and trace elements in check as close as possible to a good baseline. Take a look at my icp test and my schedule for dosing. I dosed in-between these icps and am surprised that some numbers did not correct and some even went down. I am confused how I added elements and over a span of a few days after dosing they actually went down. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://app.reef-labs.com/share/92157ff5-0ee0-4edd-80b6-331fb1943ece
https://app.reef-labs.com/share/4dd26cb5-17e5-46ef-9129-2a83c50a3664

 

[Dan_P]

I have been trying to dial in my minor and trace elements in check as close as possible to a good baseline. Take a look at my icp test and my schedule for dosing. I dosed in-between these icps and am surprised that some numbers did not correct and some even went down. I am confused how I added elements and over a span of a few days after dosing they actually went down. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://app.reef-labs.com/share/92157ff5-0ee0-4edd-80b6-331fb1943ece
https://app.reef-labs.com/share/4dd26cb5-17e5-46ef-9129-2a83c50a3664

Is the accuracy of your ICP results guarenteed?

 

[Spare time]

I wouldn't bother with vanadium unless you grow tunicates and I especially wouldn't worry about nickel. Manganese and strontium are fine to dose though strontium may not be necessary. I would only use icp, if accurate, to see general trends in trace element consumption rather than being a reliable way of dosing trace elements.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Some trace elements deplete quite rapidly.

 

[bmelvin20]

Is the accuracy of your ICP results guarenteed?

I am not sure about a guarantee, but I believe in them. I’ll look into it!

 

[bmelvin20]

I wouldn't bother with vanadium unless you grow tunicates and I especially wouldn't worry about nickel. Manganese and strontium are fine to dose though strontium may not be necessary. I would only use icp, if accurate, to see general trends in trace element consumption rather than being a reliable way of dosing trace elements.

I agree. I mainly just wanted to get it up to a detectable number so that I can follow trends.

That’s good to know on the vanadium and nickel. I have also had a hard time getting potassium up. Which I guess I need to get a test kit to verify the icp. But I have heard hobby grade kits are not reliable at all for potassium

 

[rtparty]

My experience is you’ll drive yourself mad trying to get exacts on your trace elements.

You could send the same company the same water in multiple kits and not get repeatable results

 

[Pod_01]

I have been trying to dial in my minor and trace elements in check as close as possible to a good baseline. Take a look at my icp test and my schedule for dosing. I dosed in-between these icps and am surprised that some numbers did not correct and some even went down. I am confused how I added elements and over a span of a few days after dosing they actually went down. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

https://app.reef-labs.com/share/92157ff5-0ee0-4edd-80b6-331fb1943ece
https://app.reef-labs.com/share/4dd26cb5-17e5-46ef-9129-2a83c50a3664

I tried once to dose some trace elements and honestly all you do is chase your tail.
So I searched and found following explanation that sounds reasonable (I hope the link works):
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...-integration-or-on-demand.877300/post-9661070
It is post 9, that has the information.
Bottom line is that balanced trace element system might work better vs. dosing one trace element at a time.

Good luck,

 

[Spare time]

I agree. I mainly just wanted to get it up to a detectable number so that I can follow trends.

That’s good to know on the vanadium and nickel. I have also had a hard time getting potassium up. Which I guess I need to get a test kit to verify the icp. But I have heard hobby grade kits are not reliable at all for potassium

The salifert test kit for potassium is good and easy.

 

[bmelvin20]

I tried once to dose some trace elements and honestly all you do is chase your tail.
So I searched and found following explanation that sounds reasonable (I hope the link works):
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...-integration-or-on-demand.877300/post-9661070
It is post 9, that has the information.
Bottom line is that balanced trace element system might work better vs. dosing one trace element at a time.

Good luck,

I like that! That makes sense!

 

[bmelvin20]

My experience is you’ll drive yourself mad trying to get exacts on your trace elements.

You could send the same company the same water in multiple kits and not get repeatable results

I more or less just want to get up to detectable numbers so that I can follow trends. If it test at zero I can’t know if something in my tank is using it or if it’s just not there.

And I do agree on the same water sample! I actually did this by accident. I forgot to register a kit so I hurried up and resent another one. Only to find out they have a lost and found page where I recovered my lost kit.

Taken less than a day apart and there were multiple things that just didn’t match up.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If you want a more detailed discussion, you'll need to tell us how much of what you dosed and how long you waited between samples tests, but the simple answer is if you dosed and did not detect any a few days later, and if you believe the ICP is accurate and useful and want a detectable level, then you need to dose more or more often.

FWIW, the answer to all of those caveats is not automatically yes.

 

[Garf]

I agree. I mainly just wanted to get it up to a detectable number so that I can follow trends.

That’s good to know on the vanadium and nickel. I have also had a hard time getting potassium up. Which I guess I need to get a test kit to verify the icp. But I have heard hobby grade kits are not reliable at all for potassium

Out of curiosity, what does the ICP report as your potassium level?

 

[bmelvin20]

If you want a more detailed discussion, you'll need to tell us how much of what you dosed and how long you waited between samples tests, but the simple answer is if you dosed and did not detect any a few days later, and if you believe the ICP is accurate and useful and want a detectable level, then you need to dose more or more often.

FWIW, the answer to all of those caveats is not automatically yes.

This is how much I dosed and these are the AF products I used. And the dates are on the icps, I believe 12 days in between samples with 3 days worth of dosing for most things aside from nickel, which I spread out over 6 days.

 

[bmelvin20]

Out of curiosity, what does the ICP report as your potassium level?

I brought it up from 344 to 358. Which I knew that one was not going to reach target because I didn’t buy near enough after doing my calculations.

A lot of the issues I am having is loss of color, and everything getting dull or just green. And some corals are having some poor PE while the others could prolly do better.

 

[Pod_01]

I like that! That makes sense!

Just a suggestion but you could start from the main elements and work slowly to the trace elements.

Looking at the ICP I would correct for salinity and bring it up to 35.

Maybe add some K or not.
Iodine seems elevated (interesting) and so is Lithium.

Consider to dose some type of trace element supplement like Tropic Marin A and K. I would just monitor the corals after that and use ICP as reference . In the end the corals will tell you if things are improving or not. ICP is nice tool to provide some additional guidance/ reference.

But do feed your fish and corals.