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. :)

 

[Modern Reef Verified Sponsor]

Hi :) We are always happy to help, @slingfox and we will gladly help solve anything you may face.

Let me add a clarification about the difference between Reef Mastery PRO and ICP FLEX, and when each one is best to use.

The main difference is how complete the laboratory analysis is and how the missing parameters are handled.

Reef Mastery PRO​

Reef Mastery PRO is the more complete reef water analysis. It tests up to 56 parameters and includes important values such as:

• KH
• pH
• CO₂
• High-resolution salinity
• NO₃
• Fluoride
• Phosphate / phosphorus
• Water clarity
• PAR loss
• Major, minor, and trace elements
• Pollutants and heavy metals

Reef Mastery PRO uses multiple laboratory methods, including ICP-OES/MS base technology, chromatography, and other modern laboratory methods. This makes it the best option when you want the most complete laboratory picture of the aquarium, especially when diagnosing problems or when you do not want to rely on home test results for key parameters.

We usually recommend Reef Mastery PRO when:

• You want the most complete reef water analysis.
• You are trying to diagnose an unknown problem.
• Corals are not looking good and the reason is unclear.
• You want KH, pH, NO₃, fluoride, water clarity, and PAR loss included directly from the lab.
• You do not have reliable home test kits for the parameters that are not included in ICP FLEX.
• You want the highest level of laboratory-based guidance.

ICP FLEX​

ICP FLEX is a more cost-effective ICP analysis. It tests up to 49 parameters using ICP-OES/MS base technology.

The important point is that ICP FLEX does not include some parameters that are included in Reef Mastery PRO, such as:

• KH
• pH
• NO₃
• Fluoride

However, ICP FLEX is flexible because the customer can manually add these missing values in the dashboard if they have reliable home test results.

When the ICP FLEX barcode is scanned or added to the dashboard, the system recognizes the sample type and allows the customer to add the missing parameters either immediately or later when the lab results are available.

When to use ICP FLEX​

ICP FLEX is a great option when:

• The aquarium is already stable.
• The customer already knows their KH, pH, NO₃, and fluoride values.
• The customer has reliable home test kits.
• The customer wants to save money while still checking the ICP parameters.
• The customer wants to monitor trace elements, major elements, pollutants, and general chemistry.
• The customer previously used Reef Mastery PRO and now wants a follow-up test.

Important advantage for existing customers​

If a customer has already used Reef Mastery PRO and there are no concerns with the parameters that are not included in ICP FLEX, then ICP FLEX can be a very good follow-up test.

The advantage is that ICP FLEX can be linked to the same aquarium in the Modern Reef dashboard. The system will still take the aquarium’s historical data into consideration, including previous Reef Mastery PRO analyses.

This means the customer does not lose the value of previous tests. The system can compare the new ICP FLEX results with the aquarium’s history and continue giving recommendations based on trends.

If the customer has reliable home test kits, they can also add the missing values manually. This gives them a more complete overview while keeping the test more cost-effective.

Simple recommendation​

Use Reef Mastery PRO when you need the most complete lab analysis, when you are troubleshooting a problem, or when you want the key parameters included directly from the laboratory.

Use ICP FLEX when the aquarium is already monitored well, the customer has reliable home tests for the missing parameters, or when they want a more cost-effective follow-up after a Reef Mastery PRO test.

Both tests can be connected to the same aquarium profile, and the Modern Reef system will use the available historical data to provide better guidance, correction dosages, maintenance recommendations, anomaly tracking, and product or equipment suggestions.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

and includes important values such as: ...

• Fluoride

Since you are literally claiming fluoride is important in this tread, can you cite what evidence you have of its importance to dose in a reef tank?