ICP test results back

[Jdubs]

I received my results back today on my water test. Everything looks good to me except for Chlorine, Sulfur and silicon. Does anyone see any other problems and how do address these problems. I use a ro/di unit for my ato water. So not sure where it’s coming from. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[DLHDesign]

Are you running carbon blocks on your RO/DI? How new are the rest of your filters, membranes, and resin?
Have you ever seen a water report for your area to get a sense of what your source water might be?

 

[Jdubs]

I do not have carbon blocks on my ro/di but I run carbon in my sump in a lifegard reactor. I bought one of the ro/di units but I received a tds meter yesterday and it reads 0. I also just got a water report about a week ago. I looked over it but I need to find it and look again. I’ve only had the ro unit up and running for about 4 months but maybe I should invest in one made to remove chloramines after watching a brs video. Thank you for your insight.

 

[DLHDesign]

I do not have carbon blocks on my ro/di

That's most likely why you have such high numbers of those contaminates - it's the carbon block that mostly removes those. Absolutely recommend adding that to your RO/DI setup (along with sediment filters to help protect the carbon filter/RO membrane if you don't already have that).

 

[madweazl]

You actually have very few things high and most things quite low, potassium for instance. I double checked your ICP results using this calculator because a lot of things looked quite low; your salinity works out to 30.82.

 

[Jdubs]

That's most likely why you have such high numbers of those contaminates - it's the carbon block that mostly removes those. Absolutely recommend adding that to your RO/DI setup (along with sediment filters to help protect the carbon filter/RO membrane if you don't already have that).

I ordered a new unit today that has carbon blocks and says it removes silicates and chlorine. So hoping that will help along with the sea hem prime I bought to take out the chlorine. Thank you for your hrlp

 

[Jdubs]

You actually have very few things high and most things quite low, potassium for instance. I double checked your ICP results using this calculator because a lot of things looked quite low; your salinity works out to 30.82.

 

[Jdubs]

It has salinity at the top right corner that I converted to 1.0255 which is right where I need to be as far as I know. I’ve been checking the main things that I know to check like ca, alk, phos, nitrates and all seem to be pretty good but I will look into these other elements once I’m ready to try corals again. I had some sps bleach out on me and I’m thinking among other things it was probably the chlorine and maybe silicates. Thankyou for your suggestions. I very much appreciate everyone on this forum.

 

[madweazl]

It has salinity at the top right corner that I converted to 1.0255 which is right where I need to be as far as I know. I’ve been checking the main things that I know to check like ca, alk, phos, nitrates and all seem to be pretty good but I will look into these other elements once I’m ready to try corals again. I had some sps bleach out on me and I’m thinking among other things it was probably the chlorine and maybe silicates. Thankyou for your suggestions. I very much appreciate everyone on this forum.

I understand what it shows at the top but the element levels indicate something different. The chlorine levels (which should actually be chloride I believe) are below reference levels for ATI and Triton (both of which have better reputations than icp-analysis.com for accuracy). If you were having trouble with corals, it looks to me like you're deficient in at least half of macro elements and most of micro and trace elements. With that said, I'm not sure I'd trust any of the results you got from that analysis.

 

[Jdubs]

I understand what it shows at the top but the element levels indicate something different. The chlorine levels (which should actually be chloride I believe) are below reference levels for ATI and Triton (both of which have better reputations than icp-analysis.com for accuracy). If you were having trouble with corals, it looks to me like you're deficient in at least half of macro elements and most of micro and trace elements. With that said, I'm not sure I'd trust any of the results you got from that analysis.

Oh ok. I understand what you are saying now. So ati and triton are better. Maybe I’ll give one of those a try. It would help to have a comparison. Thanks

 

[madweazl]

A few decent sized water changes would likely serve you better than another ICP. I would have whatever device you're measuring salinity with, checked or calibrated and measured against a different device to eliminate salinity as an issue first.

 

[DLHDesign]

I understand what it shows at the top but the element levels indicate something different.

I'm curious how you are calculating this?

 

[madweazl]

I'm curious how you are calculating this?

Click the link in post #5.

 

[DLHDesign]

Click the link in post #5.

Ah; right - sorry, missed the link. Thanks.

 

[Jdubs]

A few decent sized water changes would likely serve you better than another ICP. I would have whatever device you're measuring salinity with, checked or calibrated and measured against a different device to eliminate salinity as an issue first.

I’m using a Hannah salinity checker calibrated with the solution. It shows 1.025. I have a refractometer that I haven’t used in awhile because I don’t believe it’s as accurate. I will get it out and try it though.

 

[madweazl]

Ah; right - sorry, missed the link. Thanks.

There is an online version (revision) at the end of the thread that is pretty handy as well.

 

[Jdubs]

Now I’m more confused. Hannah checker says 1.023 and refractometer says 1.025 both after using calibration solution.

 

[madweazl]

Now I’m more confused. Hannah checker says 1.023 and refractometer says 1.025 both after using calibration solution.

Are you using a calibration fluid with the correct refractive index for the refractometer?

 

[Jdubs]

I’m not sure about that. I can’t find anything in the manual for it. The bottle has it on it but nothing in the manual about refractive index. The Hanna checker came with its brand solution so I’m thinking it’s right. It’s showing it low at 1.023