ICP Test Recommendation - 5 different options?

[Ironfish]

Hi all,
I just started thinking about getting one kit to get a full ICP Test done and my uninformed self thought there was one company to do this.
Little did I know that there are at least 5: ATI, Triton, Reef Labs, Fauna Marin and Oceamo.
Since I'm not an expert I have no idea if some of this companies send samples to the same lab or if they are actually all different labs. Looks like some labs are located in the US and others in Europe?

I searched around R2R and found some info on Triton and Oceamo.
I'm sure some of you have used more than one to compare.
Do you normally test just tank water? Or your source water as well? (Tap/RO)
I also read some post with issues about one of these closing down? But not sure which one.

I'm just curious and would like to send a sample to know if there's something really off in my system. As of now I'm not planning on making this a part of my routine.

Thanks for your recs.

 

[EliMelly]

Following interested as well

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

While many of those may be good, I’d pick Oceamo and just test the tank water unless there’s a specific question, such as whether raw tap water is ok or not.

 

[rtparty]

Oceamo and ATI. Forget the rest

 

[Dan_P]

Hi all,
I just started thinking about getting one kit to get a full ICP Test done and my uninformed self thought there was one company to do this.
Little did I know that there are at least 5: ATI, Triton, Reef Labs, Fauna Marin and Oceamo.
Since I'm not an expert I have no idea if some of this companies send samples to the same lab or if they are actually all different labs. Looks like some labs are located in the US and others in Europe?

I searched around R2R and found some info on Triton and Oceamo.
I'm sure some of you have used more than one to compare.
Do you normally test just tank water? Or your source water as well? (Tap/RO)
I also read some post with issues about one of these closing down? But not sure which one.

I'm just curious and would like to send a sample to know if there's something really off in my system. As of now I'm not planning on making this a part of my routine.

Thanks for your recs.

Since none of the vendors will provide you with information about the accuracy of the results they supply, you could just pick the cheapest. If you are looking for something in the aquarium water that’s way off, go cheap. If you want the most sensitive test method, obtain an ICP-MS and cheap. If you have money to spare or you won’t sleep at nights because you didn’t get what some folks think is the best, go with Oceamo.

 

[eggie]

ATI, Oceamo and Fauna are tested in there own facility and are based in Europe, But all the test are ship to the US and then ship to Europe to each facility . Only Triton I think are testing in the US in there own lab as well.

All test brands gives you the option to sample tank water and RO water for testing

Oceamo has 2 different test options OES and MS option to test for other elements, I heard ATI will have this in the feature.

Oceamo closed a couple of months back because there was a flood issue and they had to move the lab but they are back in business and testing.
Test are in hold on ATI and Oceamo beacuse of holidays season but will be back soon for testing

If you just want to test and check your tank elements I would go with ATI because its cheaper and since your not looking to go the Element dosing rout, Why spend more,
But if you plan to go this rout then The Oceamo MS is the one.

 

[rishma]

Oceamo seems to be the gold standard and I really like that Christoph comes here, educates us, and shares details of the methodology. I’ve never run one. I have one ATI test left but I probably won’t use it for 6 months.

Other than having some ATI kits laying around, one reason I haven’t run oceamo is I’m not sure what I’d do with the additional precision I’d be paying for. My trace elements that ATI can detect are generally good and I haven’t taken any action after the last couple of tests.

Since I am not a moonshiner, can someone make the case for me spending the extra money for Oceamo?

I am one who thinks sometimes more data isn’t more-better.

 

[Jimbo327]

ATI if I want my RODI water and tank water tested at same time because it tests both in the same kit. If I just want a quick look at my tank, then I got some cheaper Triton test kits to do some quick verifications.

I may use Oceamo in the future, but don't need that kind of granularity in results just yet.

 

[eggie]

Oceamo seems to be the gold standard and I really like that Christoph comes here, educates us, and shares details of the methodology. I’ve never run one. I have one ATI test left but I probably won’t use it for 6 months.

Other than having some ATI kits laying around, one reason I haven’t run oceamo is I’m not sure what I’d do with the additional precision I’d be paying for. My trace elements that ATI can detect are generally good and I haven’t taken any action after the last couple of tests.

Since I am not a moonshiner, can someone make the case for me spending the extra money for Oceamo?

I am one who thinks sometimes more data isn’t more-better.

The Oceamo Ms detects these additional elements selenium, chromium, cobalt, copper and nickel when they are very low. These elements are part of the dosing guide on the Moonshiners, Triton and Fauna Marine

 

[exnisstech]

I've only done two icp test. I chose ati because they included an rodi test also. I sent two tank samples in and two rodi samples pulled from the same container. The result on the rodi were so far apart in didn't even bother looking at the tanks results. I figured if they botched rodi tests I sure wasn't about to make changes to the tank based on the results.

 

[rishma]

The Oceamo Ms detects these additional elements selenium, chromium, cobalt, copper and nickel when they are very low. These elements are part of the dosing guide on the Moonshiners, Triton and Fauna Marine

Right, I get why moonshiners, etc use it. I’m not sure there is any science supporting these trace are useful or needed by corals, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t dose them, so maybe Oceamo is not for me? Wondering if there are other reasons to use Oceamo.

 

[taricha]

I'm sure some of you have used more than one to compare.
Do you normally test just tank water? Or your source water as well? (Tap/RO)
I also read some post with issues about one of these closing down? But not sure which one.

I'm just curious and would like to send a sample to know if there's something really off in my system. As of now I'm not planning on making this a part of my routine.

Several of those will test your RODI as well, included.
those you listed are still functional.
"Something really off", such as high metal contamination would be detectable by ATI, FM, Triton, and Oceamo (I've used those, haven't used reef labs).

Though some test in europe and others in the US, we've found no advantage to sticking with the labs in the states. The european labs do at least as well - often better - compared to known standards and have a turnaround time of ~a week.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Right, I get why moonshiners, etc use it. I’m not sure there is any science supporting these trace are useful or needed by corals, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t dose them, so maybe Oceamo is not for me? Wondering if there are other reasons to use Oceamo.

I think it is clear many are useful and needed, but what missing is what concentrations of specific chemical forms are both required and present so they no longer limit the organisms in question.

 

[rishma]

I think it is clear many are useful and needed, but what missing is what concentrations of specific chemical forms are both required and present so they no longer limit the organisms in question.

Thanks for that. I stand corrected. Though I still don’t know what I’d do with the data for the reasons you state.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks for that. I stand corrected. Though I still don’t know what I’d do with the data for the reasons you state.

Yes, that’s a fair point. :)

 

[areefer01]

Since none of the vendors will provide you with information about the accuracy of the results they supply, you could just pick the cheapest. If you are looking for something in the aquarium water that’s way off, go cheap. If you want the most sensitive test method, obtain an ICP-MS and cheap.

I think this is the best answer out of them all to be honest. I will add if you don't mind that once one is chosen and the hobbyist is happy with the results then stick with the vendor with future tests. This way one can easily compare the results over time and trend. This, of course, assumes that the vendor is consistent with their methods, practices, procedures, and policies, etc.

I've used both ATI and Oceamo with success and neither one trumps the other as it relates to quality. The packaging and sample tubes are of good quality. Turn around time ranges between 7 and 9 days (California to Europe). Both have solid customer support. I've reached out to both and they reply within 24 to 48 hours. Both have answered questions on results. My point is that when I look at both of these vendors there isn't really that big of a difference other than maybe the hardware and/or ICP machine used. If that level of detail is of importance, and it may be to some, then that would be the deciding factor.

Few more points because you mentioned price point - well done btw:

• FM Reef ICP 23.99 USD
• FM Reef ICP Total 39.99 USD ( I believe this includes RO)
• ATI ICP 44.95 USD
• Oceamo ICP 64.95 USD (Moonshiner's portal)

Because math is fun and data is beautiful let us run a test every quarter. This should give us some data to see trends.

• FM Reef ICP 23.99 USD x 4 quarters = 95.96 USD
• FM Reef ICP Total 39.99 USD x 4 quarters = 159.96 USD
• ATI ICP 44.95 x 4 quarters = 179.80 USD
• Oceamo ICP 64.95 x 4 quarters = 259.80 USD

Reefing budgets are real and it begs the question. Are the 4 test results that cost me 259 USD better than the same 4 results that cost me 95.96 USD? Or vice versa. Note I did not focus on ICP vendors, prices, and know there are others out there. No disrespect intended to leaving those off such as Triton or others. I was just keying in on what was noted here.

Fun...

ATI history example:

 

[eggie]

Right, I get why moonshiners, etc use it. I’m not sure there is any science supporting these trace are useful or needed by corals, and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t dose them, so maybe Oceamo is not for me? Wondering if there are other reasons to use Oceamo.

There should be science documentation supporting these trace elements are useful for corals nothing a simple search cant do. I find a lot of these elements help corals photosynthesized, enzymes or biological process including lighting and pest, they could handle it more without RTN or STN

Also were not just talking about dosing copper but copper or any metal or Element could be high if its leaching from pumps,magnets, food or any dosing supplements that are in our reefs and detected in time could help not having a tank crash

The Oceamo MS Test is there as a test so we could have the type of detection in our reef aquariums. Its like the AquaBiomics test who would have the thought that testing bacterias in a reef tank would be a thing now. But it is and its good we could test our Microbiomes and see whats affecting our tanks and how to work with it.

Yesterday I heard Adam from Frag Garage say that Fauna Marine will be also including MS test to there line

 

[eggie]

I think this is the best answer out of them all to be honest. I will add if you don't mind that once one is chosen and the hobbyist is happy with the results then stick with the vendor with future tests. This way one can easily compare the results over time and trend. This, of course, assumes that the vendor is consistent with their methods, practices, procedures, and policies, etc.

I've used both ATI and Oceamo with success and neither one trumps the other as it relates to quality. The packaging and sample tubes are of good quality. Turn around time ranges between 7 and 9 days (California to Europe). Both have solid customer support. I've reached out to both and they reply within 24 to 48 hours. Both have answered questions on results. My point is that when I look at both of these vendors there isn't really that big of a difference other than maybe the hardware and/or ICP machine used. If that level of detail is of importance, and it may be to some, then that would be the deciding factor.

Few more points because you mentioned price point - well done btw:

• FM Reef ICP 23.99 USD
• FM Reef ICP Total 39.99 USD ( I believe this includes RO)
• ATI ICP 44.95 USD
• Oceamo ICP 64.95 USD (Moonshiner's portal)

Because math is fun and data is beautiful let us run a test every quarter. This should give us some data to see trends.

• FM Reef ICP 23.99 USD x 4 quarters = 95.96 USD
• FM Reef ICP Total 39.99 USD x 4 quarters = 159.96 USD
• ATI ICP 44.95 x 4 quarters = 179.80 USD
• Oceamo ICP 64.95 x 4 quarters = 259.80 USD

Reefing budgets are real and it begs the question. Are the 4 test results that cost me 259 USD better than the same 4 results that cost me 95.96 USD? Or vice versa. Note I did not focus on ICP vendors, prices, and know there are others out there. No disrespect intended to leaving those off such as Triton or others. I was just keying in on what was noted here.

Fun...

ATI history example:

Oceamo ICP is $44.95
Oceamo MS is $64.95
both include RO water MS detects lower values which other companies mark them as good but are not detected
There is a difference in comparison from an MS to an normal ICP

Im in now way linked to any company I just did my homework before going the rout I thought was best for me, but giving the correct information

 

[rishma]

There should be science documentation supporting these trace elements are useful for corals nothing a simple search cant do. I find a lot of these elements help corals photosynthesized, enzymes or biological process including lighting and pest, they could handle it more without RTN or STN

Also were not just talking about dosing copper but copper or any metal or Element could be high if its leaching from pumps,magnets, food or any dosing supplements that are in our reefs and detected in time could help not having a tank crash

I partly agree with your first point, my statement was incorrect. Many of these elements are likely important but we don’t know what levels are needed. For the levels, I suppose its reasonable to argue ocean levels are a good target. I also don’t know about chemical state. ICP doesn’t tell you and it might matter. I’m not so sure how well documented the connection is to specific biological processes or health issues beyond anecdotes, but I’ll admit to not spending a lot of time researching it.

I do like your point about contaminants. I’ve caught a magnet corroding due to an ICP/OES test and I forgot all about that.

 

[areefer01]

Oceamo ICP is $44.95
Oceamo MS is $64.95
both include RO water MS detects lower values which other companies mark them as good but are not detected
There is a difference in comparison from an MS to an normal ICP

Im in now way linked to any company I just did my homework before going the rout I thought was best for me, but giving the correct information

Yep and there are others out there as I mentioned. No argument. The question comes down to each hobbyist and what they believe is best for them as we are not comparing results side by side. If a hobbyist wants to compare more power to them but that has been done already and is exhausting in my opinion.