ICP-MS Comparison: ATI vs Modern Reef

[slingfox]

I recently did a head-to-head comparison of the ICP-MS service from ATI and Modern Reef. Samples were taken from the same tank at the same time. The samples were mailed out the same day but ATI came back with results much quicker. I believe something went wrong with the transportation or handling of the Modern Reef sample. I emailed Modern Reef after waiting 3 weeks and they located the sample and sent results a few days later.

There is nothing too surprising about the ATI results since they are largely in-line with past ICPs with ATI and Fauna Marine. The Modern Reef results are questionable since at no point have I ever got back an ICP with such terrible results! In particular, I found it odd that Modern Reef could not detect any alkalinity in the sample I sent. Truly bizarre.

I am not sure if something went wrong given the very long turnaround for the sample sent to Modern Reef. I will run another head-to-head in June.

Key differences with sample collection and mailing:

• ATI ICP-MS: Send 3 vails, two of which are filled with water sent through a filter. Test includes self-addressed envelope with prepaid postage.
• Modern Reef: Send 1 vail, no filtering whatsoever. Must prepare mailing label and pay shipping yourself.

One key takeaway is that the VeeGee STX-3 refractometer is ultra reliable since salinity is one area where my home testing, ATI, and Modern Reef agree!

ATI ICP-MS
Sample: April 26, 2026
Mailed: April 27, 2026
Results: May 5, 2026 (8-day turnaround)

Salinity: 35.08 PSU
Alkalinity: 9.28 dKH
Phosphate: 0.06 mg/l
Nitrate: 0.84 mg/l

Low Traces: Iodine (critically low), Iron (low)

Pollutants: None

https://lab.atiaquaristik.com/share/7d11af312aed3776ae6b

Modern Reef ICP-MS
Sample: April 26, 2026
Mailed: April 27, 2026
Results: June 20, 2026 (very long delay)

Salinity: 34.90 PSU
Alkalinity: Undetected
Phosphate: 0.05 mg/l
Nitrate: Undetected

Low Traces: Flourine (undetected), Cobalt (low), Copper (critically low), Iron (critically low), Manganese (critically low), Nickel (critically low), Selenium (undetected), Vanadium (low), Zinc (critically low)

Pollutants: Lanthanum

https://modernreef.eu/visitor-user-lab-report/?data-id=54764&access-token=Y27izX7gDc

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Very strange. It’s like acid got added to it somehow. pH and alk bottomed out.

Might it be their way of saying they didn’t test it?

It has boron so should at least have the alk from borate if acid was not added.

 

[RoanokeReef]

Very strange. It’s like acid got added to it somehow. pH and alk bottomed out.

Might it be their way of saying they didn’t test it?

It has boron so should at least have the alk from borate if acid was not added.

The cheaper test they offer doesn't test Alk or PH.

49 parameters (Reef Water ICP only Analysis)

SALINITY (PSU, SG, mS/cm), Ca, Cl, B, Br, K, Mg, Na, S, Sr, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, Zn, P, Po4, Si, Al, As, Ag, Be, Bi, Cd, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, In, Nb, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Te, Ti, Tl, W, Zr

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The cheaper test they offer doesn't test Alk or PH.

49 parameters (Reef Water ICP only Analysis)

SALINITY (PSU, SG, mS/cm), Ca, Cl, B, Br, K, Mg, Na, S, Sr, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, Zn, P, Po4, Si, Al, As, Ag, Be, Bi, Cd, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, In, Nb, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Te, Ti, Tl, W, Zr

That makes sense. Putting an arrow on the line graph for something not tested does not. lol

 

[slingfox]

The cheaper test they offer doesn't test Alk or PH.

49 parameters (Reef Water ICP only Analysis)

SALINITY (PSU, SG, mS/cm), Ca, Cl, B, Br, K, Mg, Na, S, Sr, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, V, Zn, P, Po4, Si, Al, As, Ag, Be, Bi, Cd, Ga, Ge, Hg, La, In, Nb, Pb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Te, Ti, Tl, W, Zr

Thanks for the catch. I never even looked at the list of parameters. I assume if it is 49 parameters it would include something as basic as alkalinity but I guess not! I have half a dozen of these MR ICP-MS Flex tests around so it’s going to take me some time to get through them

 

[slingfox]

That makes sense. Putting an arrow on the line graph for something not tested does not. lol

Thanks for taking a look @Randy Holmes-Farley

I will run another head-to-head next month. I didn’t expect the trace measurements to deviate so much between the two tests. I am not doing anything to adjust other than doing some dosing of iodine and iron since I have those bottles laying around and are pretty low risk.

 

[saltyfins]

I recently did a head-to-head comparison of the ICP-MS service from ATI and Modern Reef. Samples were taken from the same tank at the same time. The samples were mailed out the same day but ATI came back with results much quicker. I believe something went wrong with the transportation or handling of the Modern Reef sample. I emailed Modern Reef after waiting 3 weeks and they located the sample and sent results a few days later.

There is nothing too surprising about the ATI results since they are largely in-line with past ICPs with ATI and Fauna Marine. The Modern Reef results are questionable since at no point have I ever got back an ICP with such terrible results! In particular, I found it odd that Modern Reef could not detect any alkalinity in the sample I sent. Truly bizarre.

I am not sure if something went wrong given the very long turnaround for the sample sent to Modern Reef. I will run another head-to-head in June.

Key differences with sample collection and mailing:

• ATI ICP-MS: Send 3 vails, two of which are filled with water sent through a filter. Test includes self-addressed envelope with prepaid postage.
• Modern Reef: Send 1 vail, no filtering whatsoever. Must prepare mailing label and pay shipping yourself.

One key takeaway is that the VeeGee STX-3 refractometer is ultra reliable since salinity is one area where my home testing, ATI, and Modern Reef agree!

ATI ICP-MS
Sample: April 26, 2026
Mailed: April 27, 2026
Results: May 5, 2026 (8-day turnaround)

Salinity: 35.08 PSU
Alkalinity: 9.28 dKH
Phosphate: 0.06 mg/l
Nitrate: 0.84 mg/l

Low Traces: Iodine (critically low), Iron (low)

Pollutants: None

https://lab.atiaquaristik.com/share/7d11af312aed3776ae6b

Modern Reef ICP-MS
Sample: April 26, 2026
Mailed: April 27, 2026
Results: June 20, 2026 (very long delay)

Salinity: 34.90 PSU
Alkalinity: Undetected
Phosphate: 0.05 mg/l
Nitrate: Undetected

Low Traces: Flourine (undetected), Cobalt (low), Copper (critically low), Iron (critically low), Manganese (critically low), Nickel (critically low), Selenium (undetected), Vanadium (low), Zinc (critically low)

Pollutants: Lanthanum

https://modernreef.eu/visitor-user-lab-report/?data-id=54764&access-token=Y27izX7gDc

**May** that's crazy slow!! at that point...what's the point?! wow

 

[slingfox]

**May** that's crazy slow!! at that point...what's the point?! wow

I assume something went wrong with the USPS handling or maybe MR is still figuring things out as they establish themselves in the US. Others have sent in tests with good turnaround so I will consider this long delay an anomaly. I have a bunch of other test kits to get through so I will have no choice but to test them out

 

[saltyfins]

I assume something went wrong with the USPS handling or maybe MR is still figuring things out as they establish themselves in the US. Others have sent in tests with good turnaround so I will consider this long delay an anomaly. I have a bunch of other test kits to get through so I will have no choice but to test them out

well having too many is a good thing...if it's FASTER. good grief that's crazy slow

 

[slingfox]

Update: The team at Modern Reef looked into my case and it seems like my sample was included in a batch that was severely delayed via shipping via UPS from Florida to their lab in Europe (they sent the tracking info). Given the issue they are sending my three replacement Flex ICP-MS. That means I will have a lot of tests to post going forward!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Update: The team at Modern Reef looked into my case and it seems like my sample was included in a batch that was severely delayed via shipping via UPS from Florida to their lab in Europe (they sent the tracking info). Given the issue they are sending my three replacement Flex ICP-MS. That means I will have a lot of tests to post going forward!

That’s nice of them. :)