ICP Testing services

[ScottF]

Hi! ICP testing wasn't a thing when I had my last reef tank like 10 years ago. It seems like there are several ICP testing services. Is one better than the others? Are they all pretty much equally trusted?

I want to get my tanks tested and establish a baseline, but I don't know what service to use.

 

[VintageReefer]

ATI is a good one and they include an extra vial to test your rodi water

 

[rtparty]

They are not all equal. Most suck. ICP in general asks more questions than it answers.

If you’re set on getting one done, go with Oceamo. They are the only one showing any data for accuracy and reliability.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I too recommend Oceamo.

 

[ScottF]

They are not all equal. Most suck. ICP in general asks more questions than it answers.

If you’re set on getting one done, go with Oceamo. They are the only one showing any data for accuracy and reliability.

As I see it, more knowledge is almost always a good thing. I'm not looking to manage individual trace elements. I'm more interested in tracking trends every six months or so.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give Oceamo a try.

 

[ScottF]

I'm on oceamo.com website. It looks like this will be shipping to and from Germany. Is this where I should be ordering this from? Order it with a DHL label and pay in British pounds?

 

[rtparty]

As I see it, more knowledge is almost always a good thing. I'm not looking to manage individual trace elements. I'm more interested in tracking trends every six months or so.

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll give Oceamo a try.

Only if that knowledge is factual, true, and you know how to interpret it. All the data in the world is of no use if that data is false. Hobby grade ICP testing has far more issues than most realize.

Order it from reef moonshiners

 

[ScottF]

Only if that knowledge is factual, true, and you know how to interpret it. All the data in the world is of no use if that data is false. Hobby grade ICP testing has far more issues than most realize.

Order it from reef moonshiners

True. Thanks! I ordered my kits from reef moonshiners. I guess what is important is not to over react to anything on the report and take the results with a grain of salt. Which is true for just about anything.

 

[Makara23]

Order it from reef moonshiners

Where can we buy Oceamo's kit in the US? I don't see it on moonshiner's website.

 

[ScottF]

Where can we buy Oceamo's kit in the US? I don't see it on moonshiner's website.

This is what I ordered. It says, "Powered by Oceamo" in the picture.

Reef Moonshiner's ICP-MS Test​

Edit:

I copied the wrong thing. Actually I ordered:

Reef Moonshiner's ICP-OES Test​

 

[Makara23]

Moonshiner's kit is a rebrand of Oceamo? Does it also get sent to Germany?

 

[ScottF]

Moonshiner's kit is a rebrand of Oceamo? Does it also get sent to Germ

This is what I ordered. It says, "Powered by Oceamo" in the picture.

Reef Moonshiner's ICP-MS Test​

Edit:

I copied the wrong thing. Actually I ordered:

Reef Moonshiner's ICP-OES Test​

Maybe I should have gotten the MS. Seems like maybe it's more accurate.

 

[KStatefan]

Moonshiner's kit is a rebrand of Oceamo? Does it also get sent to Germany?

You send it to Houston then it gets sent to Austria

 

[areefer01]

I want to get my tanks tested and establish a baseline, but I don't know what service to use.

If this is something you are going to be doing routinely then pick whichever one you want and stay with it. Assuming they are doing their work properly, consistently, you can more easily compare results. So use the same vendor.

I've used Oceamo (2 times), and ATI (21 times). Both provided consistent results. I've also used their support services and in both cases they responded within 24 hours. Both had similar turn around times ranging between 7 and 9 days respectively. I'm located in California.

Obviously I used ATI more so may be a bit biased towards them but honestly I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 4 typically mentioned these days. Oceamo is a little bit more involved with the forum here and has answered some questions. Not sure if that makes them better than the others though. Whatever you choose if it is something you are planning on doing routinely though I would pick one and stay with it for data comparison.

• Triton
• ATI
• Oceamo
• Fauna Marin

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

If this is something you are going to be doing routinely then pick whichever one you want and stay with it. Assuming they are doing their work properly, consistently, you can more easily compare results. So use the same vendor.

I've used Oceamo (2 times), and ATI (21 times). Both provided consistent results. I've also used their support services and in both cases they responded within 24 hours. Both had similar turn around times ranging between 7 and 9 days respectively. I'm located in California.

Obviously I used ATI more so may be a bit biased towards them but honestly I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 4 typically mentioned these days. Oceamo is a little bit more involved with the forum here and has answered some questions. Not sure if that makes them better than the others though. Whatever you choose if it is something you are planning on doing routinely though I would pick one and stay with it for data comparison.

• Triton
• ATI
• Oceamo
• Fauna Marin

Did you find you more often get trace element zeroes from ATI ICP-OES than from Oceamo ICP-MS?

 

[areefer01]

Did you find you more often get trace element zeroes from ATI ICP-OES than from Oceamo ICP-MS?

I should not answer that to be honest because I've not compared them side by side. That was never my intention. Oceamo was new and I was curious is all so purchased two kits to try. As I mentioned above they performed well, reasonable turn around time from my location, and support answered in a timely manner. I have zero complaints. In fact the initial results emailed included an assessment Dr. Christoph Denk which I found invaluable. Unfortunately that takes a lot of time and couldn't be continued for obvious reasons.

The only reason for my continued use with ATI is that A) I had previous test results, and B) ATI is slightly lower in cost. I personally do not believe in comparing companies. Hopefully that makes sense.

Since you asked I pulled what reports I could that are close or within reason to see. Again this isn't anything that should be used because of the time between tests, etc. You know this better than I do so I'll stop.

Edit: I forgot to add that my Oceamo tests are from 2021. I'm not sure if anything has changed as it relates to their processes and/or reports or both. That needed to be mentioned - apologies.

 

[ScottF]

What is the usual turn around for Oceamo OES sold by moonshiners? I mailed my first sample on 12/16 and have yet to see a response. If it is going to take more than 3 weeks to see results I may have to try someone a little more local.

I'm hoping it is just taking a little longer than usual because of the holidays.

 

[DJF]

likely holiday related. Not sure on oceamo but ati which also goes to Germany normally takes a little over 1 week. They do shut down operations at the end of the year- I think most of Germany does.

 

[areefer01]

likely holiday related. Not sure on oceamo but ati which also goes to Germany normally takes a little over 1 week. They do shut down operations at the end of the year- I think most of Germany does.

ATI posts their holidays when you log in to the portal as well as their main page. I had sent off a sample while ATI was out and had the results on the 3rd.

@ScottF send Oceamo a message. They should have a contact us on their portal or an email address that you can use for support and/or questions.

 

[KStatefan]

What is the usual turn around for Oceamo OES sold by moonshiners? I mailed my first sample on 12/16 and have yet to see a response. If it is going to take more than 3 weeks to see results I may have to try someone a little more local.

I'm hoping it is just taking a little longer than usual because of the holidays.

Did you register your sample on the Oceamo website?

I normally get one week turn around. Reefmoonshine ships to Austria twice a week Monday - Friday. Mail your sample so it arrives on one of those days.

Lab was closed for holidays