ICP - MS Test Results Recomendations

[Reginald Reefer III]

Reef Crystals and IO Purple are both some of the highest lithium salts I tested and I’ve seen that repeated over many tests now.

However, they are not nearly that high. Usually in the 300s.

That’s either a typo by ATI, testing error, or something is adding it routinely

I'm at a loss if it's truly that high. Maybe batteries of some kind or electronics? No clue tbh and electronics are the only thing I could think of to get it that high. I also know that some plasticizers in storage bins contain lithium but no idea where else it could come from.

 

[rtparty]

I'm at a loss if it's truly that high. Maybe batteries of some kind or electronics? No clue tbh and electronics are the only thing I could think of to get it that high. I also know that some plasticizers in storage bins contain lithium but no idea where else it could come from.

If it were my test, I would reach out to ATI and confirm the reading. 199.7 seems much more likely and I had multiple typos from ATI during my salt test that they confirmed were entered incorrectly

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes. I am dosing both (2 part DIY) Arm & Hammer / Earthborn Calcium Chloride) and also Kalk (Mrs. Wages) via Doser.

I heard the Earthborn is a big lithium source.

 

[wcharon]

If it were my test, I would reach out to ATI and confirm the reading. 199.7 seems much more likely and I had multiple typos from ATI during my salt test that they confirmed were entered incorrectly

That's a good point. Will do and report back what they say.

Thanks...

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Earthborn:

This brand of calcium chloride might increase your lithium

I’ve seen several reports from members of high lithium levels, which only seem to increase over time, tested with ICP. I’ve narrowed it down from the tanks I’ve examined, and I’m pretty confident it’s from this exact brand of calcium chloride. In fact, Randy tested some brands of calcium...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[wcharon]

I heard the Earthborn is a big lithium source.

Hummmmm. Then it could be the responsible.

I will check the Label to see if it says something.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Hummmmm. Then it could be the responsible.

I will check the Label to see if it says something.

It doesn’t, as far as I know.

 

[Reginald Reefer III]

That's interesting data. My lithium has been very slowly climbing over the months also. It's currently at 383 and creeping up 5-10 points every month. I have only used BRS Calcium Chloride. I'm now wondering if that has lithium in it also.

 

[wcharon]

Well, i decided to test my water yesterday and this is the result for the mayor 3 as i changed water before the ICP came in. Seems that the WC made an improvement.

Update 03/24:

ICP: Red Sea Pro:
Salinity - 37 1.027 (36) Refractometer
KH - 9.02 8.5
Mg - 1162 1100

Plan: will lower another little today the Salinity and dose Mg (2 Part) in order to continue pushing it up to target 1350.

Also will monitor to see if my 2 Part dosing Alk (Soda Ash) is pushing my Salinity up from time to time.

 

[wcharon]

That's a good point. Will do and report back what they say.

Thanks...

@Randy Holmes-Farley / @rtparty / @Reginald Reefer III ...

I have just received response from ATI regarding the Lithium test. Seems fair to me. What you guys think?

""The lithium level we measured in your tank is outside the calibrated range and is therefore not very accurate. However, it is likely well over 1000 µg/l.

This is not an uncommon finding. In most cases, the cause is the use of reef mortar or cement. Fortunately, lithium is not particularly toxic.

However, we cannot estimate the long-term effects of chronically high elevated lithium levels. For this reason, we are issuing a warning and recommend water changes to lower the level. If fresh mortar/cement frag stones are added regularly, it also makes sense to switch to a different supplier of rocks or mortar."

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree that it seems reasonable, though that does not proveit isn't a mistake somehow. Most likely, though, I think it is elevated. Too much? Hard to know since lithium is not very toxic in seawater.

I would switch away from the earthborn calcium chloride.

 

[wcharon]

I agree that it seems reasonable, though that does not proveit isn't a mistake somehow. Most likely, though, I think it is elevated. Too much? Hard to know since lithium is not very toxic in seawater.

I would switch away from the earthborn calcium chloride.

Thanks... will go that route. Let me check some of your recommendations here from Amzon.

Thanks once again.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Here's a paper discussing lithium toxicity to marine organisms.

They state that a limit of 1.25 ppm (1250 ug/L) is protective (nontoxic) to 95% of all species.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653525004308