ICP Frequency

[Dust Bowl Corals]

How often do you perform an ICP test? I try and do one every 1-2 months and adjust my dosing according to the results. Just thought I'd start a discussion and see how frequent others are doing them.

Also - which one are you using? I just switched to Fauna Reef Total

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

Usually 1-1.5 months. I try to time it with transit time to Oceamo to match that timeframe.

 

[purpfish]

Oceamo MS once a month

 

[billyocean]

Ive never done one.

 

[exnisstech]

I've done three in 9 years. Two were ATI and the two RODI samples were pulled from the same container at the same time but came back showing totally different results. That was enough to make me not want to bother doing another. I figure if my RODI results were unreliable I wasn't about to make changes to my tanks based on the test results.

The third was a free Fauna marin basic ICP. I really didn't put much stock in the results but it showed high levels of arsenic so I tightened up my WCs to 10% every week. I had been doing them rather randomly and the tank looks better. My tanks usually respond positively to a WC so did the test help? I suppose it helped get me back on schedule with my WCs I guess it was worth the price lol.

 

[Dust Bowl Corals]

Ive never done one.

 

[KStatefan]

Every 6 weeks is my plan for this year then possibly going to 8 weeks next year

 

[Pod_01]

The plan is one test every 6 months… assuming I remember to send it in.

I tried every 2 weeks, monthly etc… and no magic happened… I have nice collection of bottles that I am not sure what to do with, maybe lawn fertilizer :eek: .

For me TM A and K elements works well and I don’t think you need ICP if dosed per the recommendation.

Good luck,

 

[748S911]

I did one once, but threw it in UPS pick up box instead of Fedex….. got the results back like 6 months later. Major fail!

 

[748S911]

I did one once, but threw it in UPS pick up box instead of Fedex….. got the results back like 6 months later. Major fail!

True story!

 

[PeterErc]

I did one once as well, was a gift from a LFS as they had a few free ones.

 

[Elira_6301]

Never have done one. Maybe I should?

 

[BryanM]

How often do you perform an ICP test? I try and do one every 1-2 months and adjust my dosing according to the results. Just thought I'd start a discussion and see how frequent others are doing them.

Also - which one are you using? I just switched to Fauna Reef Total

I voted what's an ICP, as there was no OTHER choice.

I could see myself doing them every 6 months. At the moment I've done ONE, around 9months, and it was just to make sure I didn't have something off.

 

[KrisReef]

I did one once, but threw it in UPS pick up box instead of Fedex….. got the results back like 6 months later. Major fail!

Was shipping delayed at UPS or FEDEX?

Your UPS shipping report may be the best datapoint for UPS inability to step up when handed a challenge. These freight carriers have to exchange packages daily in the normal course of business. That the shipment didn't move for 6 months doesn't suggest that UPS is very quick to help anyone out.

:cool:

 

[Science/G]

I am shooting for every three months, just to keep track of a few trace elements I am dosing. I trust my Hanna Checkers. Potassium being low was the biggest shock of my last ICP.

 

[Bohemian Waxwing]

Never :o

 

[MnFish1]

I've done three in 9 years. Two were ATI and the two RODI samples were pulled from the same container at the same time but came back showing totally different results. That was enough to make me not want to bother doing another. I figure if my RODI results were unreliable I wasn't about to make changes to my tanks based on the test results.

The third was a free Fauna marin basic ICP. I really didn't put much stock in the results but it showed high levels of arsenic so I tightened up my WCs to 10% every week. I had been doing them rather randomly and the tank looks better. My tanks usually respond positively to a WC so did the test help? I suppose it helped get me back on schedule with my WCs I guess it was worth the price lol.

I think this is a very good point. I have never seen the need for one - except if there is a problem in the tank that suggests some issue with trace elements. The copper level you got of 48 must have been a little surprising

 

[exnisstech]

I think this is a very good point. I have never seen the need for one - except if there is a problem in the tank that suggests some issue with trace elements. The copper level you got of 48 must have been a little surprising

TBO once I saw the discrepancies between the two tests I lost all confidence and ignored the results.
The bad part is had I only done one test and it came back with the high copper I probably would have freaked out an started chasing my tail trying to find the source.
I was fairly new at the time and the only reason I did the tests is because of all the hype I was reading here from people who feel the are a necessity and how valuable they can be. Have to sort the wheat from the chaffe I suppose but it isn't easy when your a newb.
I'm not saying an accurate ICP can't be useful. Similar to you I would only do another if something strange was going on and I was unable to figure it out on my own.