ICP test results - feedback & next steps

[Reef Knub]

Hi all,

Recently got an ICP test done, to help pinpoint why my LPS & SPS corals are dying despite good / stable primary water parameters.

See my other thread outlining that issue for parameters and pictures. Link

I've attached my results here (Oceamo ICP MS), but the my main takeaway is that my aluminum levels may be the main culprit of the issue.

Planning to do two big water changes soon. But want to get everyone's thoughts if there should be any other takeaways or actions?

Thanks

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t know if the aluminum is the cause, but I would work to lower it. To do so, I’d remove any white media you may be using.

I don’t see any other issues on the icp that might explain the issue.

 

[Reef Knub]

Thanks Randy! I do have ceramic filter media thats been in the tank for 2 years.

Will remove

 

[Snowxcross]

Hi all,

Recently got an ICP test done, to help pinpoint why my LPS & SPS corals are dying despite good / stable primary water parameters.

See my other thread outlining that issue for parameters and pictures. Link

I've attached my results here (Oceamo ICP MS), but the my main takeaway is that my aluminum levels may be the main culprit of the issue.

Planning to do two big water changes soon. But want to get everyone's thoughts if there should be any other takeaways or actions?

Thanks

Hi there - sure aluminum could annoy them, good idea to try to bring that down although i've had a higher number once and didnt notice any signs in my system. I see from your other post you were at 10.5 for Alk and here you're at 11.7. You say everything is stable but are you saying your stable at 10.5? You could try bringing that down a bit and see, torches may not agree with 10+, i've never run anything higher than 9. Another thing is the par, 100 is fine for those bottom corals, but torches benefit from more light. I would kick that up to at least 200 or move one to the very top of the tank and see how it reacts. Lastly, i dont know how old this tank is, but you may just not have enough beneficial bacteria in here for those lps to thrive.

 

[Snowxcross]

Thanks Randy! I do have ceramic filter media thats been in the tank for 2 years.

Will remove

Ah didnt see this, yes remove that ceramic media - good catch.

 

[Reef Knub]

Hi all,

Recently got an ICP test done, to help pinpoint why my LPS & SPS corals are dying despite good / stable primary water parameters.

See my other thread outlining that issue for parameters and pictures. Link

I've attached my results here (Oceamo ICP MS), but the my main takeaway is that my aluminum levels may be the main culprit of the issue.

Planning to do two big water changes soon. But want to get everyone's thoughts if there should be any other takeaways or actions?

Thanks

Hi there - sure aluminum could annoy them, good idea to try to bring that down although i've had a higher number once and didnt notice any signs in my system. I see from your other post you were at 10.5 for Alk and here you're at 11.7. You say everything is stable but are you saying your stable at 10.5? You could try bringing that down a bit and see, torches may not agree with 10+, i've never run anything higher than 9. Another thing is the par, 100 is fine for those bottom corals, but torches benefit from more light. I would kick that up to at least 200 or move one to the very top of the tank and see how it reacts. Lastly, i dont know how old this tank is, but you may just not have enough beneficial bacteria in here for those lps to thrive.

Got it - i dose all for reef so let me reduce that a bit slowly to bring down the alk.

The tank is about 2.5 years old.

Other thought behind the major change is that i had a dino outbreak about 3 months back, that i was able to beat with reefflux and dosing brightwell vibrant and microbacter (to keep it away).

Everything worked but was lazy about the water change. I assume bad move? Nothing in the ICP results seem to reflect that though

 

[Snowxcross]

Got it - i dose all for reef so let me reduce that a bit slowly to bring down the alk.

The tank is about 2.5 years old.

Other thought behind the major change is that i had a dino outbreak about 3 months back, that i was able to beat with reefflux and dosing brightwell vibrant and microbacter (to keep it away).

Everything worked but was lazy about the water change. I assume bad move? Nothing in the ICP results seem to reflect that though

Nah all good, keep going with microbactor7 though, at least weekly add some in the system to keep up with good bacteria. Having the skimmer off for 2-4 hours a day may help with good bacteria as well.

 

[Reef Knub]

Quick update -

I had a couple crazy findings cleaning out my sump earlier today. Found 5-6 bags of ceramic filter media I forgot i had stuck under the filter cup when i had started the tank. Took these all out.

Also, i had a bag of purigen blocking the intake of my protein skimmer - the second i pulled it away my octo skimmer filled up / overflowed real quick.

Feel embarrassed not noticing these lol, but appreciate y'alls advice to remove the ceramic media that led to the clean up.

Hoping this along with some water changes leads to improvement!

Thanks again

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the update.

Fingers crossed the corals improve. :)

 

[tankreefer]

How did the coral respond to removing the ceramic media? I’m kinda in the same boat.

*hey Randy should we not keep stuff like the Marine Pure Bioballs long term in the sump after establishing good beneficial bacteria? Had no idea that people might be experiencing elevated aluminum with ceramic media.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How did the coral respond to removing the ceramic media? I’m kinda in the same boat.

*hey Randy should we not keep stuff like the Marine Pure Bioballs long term in the sump after establishing good beneficial bacteria? Had no idea that people might be experiencing elevated aluminum with ceramic media.

I personally would not use it, and I think most people do not benefit from it either.

 

[tankreefer]

Oh ok, my tank has only been running since April, used the marine pure bio balls from a buddies very established system to seed mine. Will any harm to the corals come from pulling them all out now?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Oh ok, my tank has only been running since April, used the marine pure bio balls from a buddies very established system to seed mine. Will any harm to the corals come from pulling them all out now?

If there is lots of rock and or sand, likely no. If it is an aquascape with little rock and sand, then going slow is probably better.