Elevated iron- how much is harmful?

Scott.h · Jun 8, 2017

For some reason I have elevated iron and I don't know why. I don't have metal clamps etc. All new high end equipment on a 7 month old tank. External pumps and powerheads. The only thing that could be leaching this is my skimmer pump that doesn't appear to have anything visible causing leaching. No cracks etc.

I'm not sure if it could be a contaminate of the salt, or bulk dosing calcium. I haven't needed to dose mg. And since every other element is spot on with the exception of iodine (none), and zero contaminated metals, I can't image it would be passing through my ro/di. City water with 106 tds pre-ro unit, 4 month old filters. I did add an inner capful of "fuel" for a few weeks, but that was at least 2 months ago. Possibly leaching from marine pure. I don't know.

@Randy Holmes-Farley, I read your iron article. You didn't mention specific numbers. Is this a potential problem or could the test be measuring other things bound with it, and do you think could be a concern?

Also I used 1/2 cup iron based gfo for the first two months the tank was cycling, but never since. 10% average weekly water changes since cycled.

BCSreef · Jun 9, 2017

My last Triton test came back at 10 ug/l. SPS dominated tank and all seems well.

Scott.h · Jun 9, 2017

Bob Stohrer said:
My last Triton test came back at 10 ug/l. SPS dominated tank and all seems well.

wow, no clue why it's that high? And obviously causing no problems?

BCSreef · Jun 9, 2017

I did find a very rusty powerhead magnet in the fuge. Got rid of it. That was back in March. The Triton test was in early May. The March Triton only showed 5ug/l. I'll be retesting in a week or two to see if levels are dropping. All corals, fish, inverts doing fine.

BCSreef · Jun 9, 2017

Caulurpa in refugium is growing like crazy.

Scott.h · Jun 9, 2017

Bob Stohrer said:
Caulurpa in refugium is growing like crazy.

i bet! Lol. Out of curiosity my orp has risen as of recent and I'm wondering if there is a connection. Do you know your orp?

I have a few pieces that could be doing better. Everything else fine. Triton shows nothing but iron and iodine trace. It could just be par for the course. That's what I don't know.

Scott.h · Jun 11, 2017

@Randy Holmes-Farley do you think my iron level is a concern, and could it be elevated from my salt mix itself?

If it's from my salt, water changes won't export it. The only metal object exposed other then probes, ato head, and external pumps is my skimmer pump. So I swapped skimmers with another system after talking it apart and inspecting the impeller area. I don't know if I should chase this issue at this level.. 2.479 hg/l

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 11, 2017

I wouldn't agonize over it if you see no apparent source. Red Sea actually recommends very high levels with the lowest reading on their kit being 50 ug/l (ppb).

BCSreef · Jun 13, 2017

Scott.h said:
i bet! Lol. Out of curiosity my orp has risen as of recent and I'm wondering if there is a connection. Do you know your orp?

I have a few pieces that could be doing better. Everything else fine. Triton shows nothing but iron and iodine trace. It could just be par for the course. That's what I don't know.

Scott, I have not measured ORP, so I can't comment.

Bob