High Silicone in IPC Test

[Matthew K]

Hi Everyone,
I finally ran my first IPC test have critically high Silicon (Si) at 1242 in my aquarium and 109.4 in my RODI Brute Trash Can - tank has been running a couple years. My guess is that there was a silicone mold release used in the production of the brute trash can. But I am curious if this could be coming out of the RO system, or the shut-off valve going to the tank? Has anyone else seen this or know of a likely cause? A little bit about my system (I have not been doing water changes, but will obviously need a giant one or two). The RO is permanently attached to my house water supply and also feeds the water in my refrigerator, so it gets more use that just topping off the aquarium. I have not changed RO filters or filter media in this setup. It has been running for a couple years, my guess is I have put 500-1000 gallons of output through the system. (How do you know when to change these things anyway ;-)). TDS on the water leaving the RO is never over 4 and usually around 1. TDS leaving the DI to the brute trash can is 0. I don't run water to the trash can regularly, I typically fill it up ever couple months and the top off system pumps from the can in the basement to the aquarium - so it is stored in there for a quite a while. Thanks for your thoughts! (Needless to say, aquarium isn't doing well, but I have high Aluminum in the aquarium as well, but that's for another thread.)

Thanks for your thoughts! (Currently I am planning to clean the brute trash can with heptane as that is how we remove Silicone contamination at work which we have seen on plastics before).

Matthew

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You are saying silicone, but what is detected is silicon, which is widely added to water supplies as silicate to reduce corrosion, and is difficult for RO/DI to completely remove. The ICP cannot distinguish them.

So I would not jump to assume there's anything from the brute. If there is silicone, it should be skimmable or able to bind strongly to gac. Try GAC if you are concerned.

As to silicate, its not a problem unless you have problematic levels of diatoms. FWIW, I dose silicate. Sponges use it, as well as diatoms, and diatom growth can be good to deter dinos.

 

[Freenow54]

You are saying silicone, but what is detected is silicon, which is widely added to water supplies as silicate to reduce corrosion, and is difficult for RO/DI to completely remove. The ICP cannot distinguish them.

So I would not jump to assume there's anything from the brute. If there is silicone, it should be skimmable or able to bind strongly to gac. Try GAC if you are concerned.

As to silicate, its not a problem unless you have problematic levels of diatoms. FWIW, I dose silicate. Sponges use it, as well as diatoms, and diatom growth can be good to deter dinos.

I just did a quick read about the difference. Interesting stuff. I will have to give the article a longer read. It mentions Silica but does not identify it as cancer causing. Especially important when it is used for making Concrete for one thing. I always make sure the sand I use for aquariums is free of it but since it seems to be so common I am second guessing myself. Any Comment?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

glass is silica. Dissolved silica exists as silicate and silicic acid. Both are natural and needed by many organisms in the ocean. Cancer is not caused by silicate or silicic acid.

I discuss these and many more issues here:

Silica In Reef Aquariums

Why would I recommend dosing silica? Largely because creatures in our tanks use it, the concentrations in our tanks (at least in mine) are below natural levels, and the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms may not be getting enough to thrive.

reefs.com

 

[Matthew K]

You are saying silicone, but what is detected is silicon, which is widely added to water supplies as silicate to reduce corrosion, and is difficult for RO/DI to completely remove. The ICP cannot distinguish them.

So I would not jump to assume there's anything from the brute. If there is silicone, it should be skimmable or able to bind strongly to gac. Try GAC if you are concerned.

As to silicate, its not a problem unless you have problematic levels of diatoms. FWIW, I dose silicate. Sponges use it, as well as diatoms, and diatom growth can be good to deter dinos.

Hi Randy,

Thank you for your quick response! So I think what you are saying is that I should be able to remove Silicone with the skimmer (If silicone is removed by skimming I shouldn't have that problem, although I don't have a particularly productive system due to low bio load). Is GAC to remove Silicone or Silicate? Since I don't have a diatom problem should I just ignore these IPC results, or do I not have a diatom problem because I am low in something else? Si in my RO/DI water (109.4micorgrams ideal IPC .01micrograms) even higher in the aquarium at 1242micrograms (looks like ideal IPC is 90.58).

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

GAC binds organics like silicone.

I’d personally ignore the result.

 

[Freenow54]

glass is silica. Dissolved silica exists as silicate and silicic acid. Both are natural and needed by many organisms in the ocean. Cancer is not caused by silicate or silicic acid.

I discuss these and many more issues here:

Silica In Reef Aquariums

Why would I recommend dosing silica? Largely because creatures in our tanks use it, the concentrations in our tanks (at least in mine) are below natural levels, and the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms may not be getting enough to thrive.

reefs.com

It is long so I will read it when I am fresh when I get up at my usual time 4:30 with a coffee which is a substance which I need

 

[Freenow54]

glass is silica. Dissolved silica exists as silicate and silicic acid. Both are natural and needed by many organisms in the ocean. Cancer is not caused by silicate or silicic acid.

I discuss these and many more issues here:

Silica In Reef Aquariums

Why would I recommend dosing silica? Largely because creatures in our tanks use it, the concentrations in our tanks (at least in mine) are below natural levels, and the sponges, mollusks, and diatoms may not be getting enough to thrive.

reefs.com

So I read the Silica in Reefs article . Also used AI ( co- Pilot } It was a good source for dosing methods. I have yet to read yours. Maybe I should focus on Reading Articles instead of Chiming in on Posts. Might be more productive. So Bottom line is dosing a totally positive thing. I am Leary of having an outbreak. Or did I miss something. I was wondering about dosing the RO water before adding to the Tank as water changes. I think the question was answered in the positive, but would like your opinion. The reason is will it come out of solution? Would use water glass if I can find it