Dear Reefers,
I’d like to briefly introduce a powerful new type of water analysis we've established that might be of interest to many of you.
Until now, our analytical capabilities using ICP-MS, ion chromatography, and related methods have allowed us to precisely measure a wide range of elements and inorganic ions—like sulfate and nitrate—even at extremely low concentrations. However, when it came to organic compounds, we were essentially “blind.” This includes a vast array of biologically active substances: essential biomolecules (e.g., amino acids), pollutants (e.g., herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals), and even marine toxins like palytoxin.
As an organic chemist by training, this analytical blind spot has always concerned me. I’ve long been searching for a way to incorporate individual organic compound detection into routine, affordable water testing.
After significant development and optimization, I’m excited to introduce the Oceamo Organo-MS—a analysis method that combines liquid chromatography with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry. It’s suitable for both freshwater and marine systems.
Organo-MS opens up a completely new dimension of affordable water monitoring:
Similar to an ICP test, you’ll collect a water sample using a dedicated Organo-MS kit and send it to our lab. We perform the analysis and provide a comprehensive report with recommendations.
The Organo-MS report has two parts:
This section includes a list of ~100 compounds we specifically search for and quantify. This list is growing continuously and currently includes:
You'll receive quantitative data for these compounds, if they are above the limit of detection.
See here some screenshots from a example report:
Here, we match your sample against a database of ~50,000 compounds. This allows us to detect unexpected and potentially impactful substances not included in the targeted list.
This part is often most surprising—and valuable. For example:
See here some example non-target data from a marine tank analysis:
Organo-MS is highly sensitive. Most substances can be detected at levels well below 1 µg/L, though sensitivity may vary depending on the compound.
Absolutely not—many successful reef tanks thrive without it. But Organo-MS is a powerful diagnostic and exploratory tool. It’s particularly valuable for tanks facing unexplained issues or for hobbyists eager to explore the "chemical dark matter" of their aquarium systems.
There’s a lot more to discuss on this topic—so if you have questions, feel free to ask. I'm happy to dive deeper into any aspect of the Organo-MS!
All the best,
Christoph
I’d like to briefly introduce a powerful new type of water analysis we've established that might be of interest to many of you.
Until now, our analytical capabilities using ICP-MS, ion chromatography, and related methods have allowed us to precisely measure a wide range of elements and inorganic ions—like sulfate and nitrate—even at extremely low concentrations. However, when it came to organic compounds, we were essentially “blind.” This includes a vast array of biologically active substances: essential biomolecules (e.g., amino acids), pollutants (e.g., herbicides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals), and even marine toxins like palytoxin.
As an organic chemist by training, this analytical blind spot has always concerned me. I’ve long been searching for a way to incorporate individual organic compound detection into routine, affordable water testing.
After significant development and optimization, I’m excited to introduce the Oceamo Organo-MS—a analysis method that combines liquid chromatography with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry. It’s suitable for both freshwater and marine systems.
What Organo-MS Can Do
Organo-MS opens up a completely new dimension of affordable water monitoring:
Monitor key organics: Quantify amino acids and vitamins, enabling informed, measurement-based dosing.
Identify pollutants: Detect pesticides, herbicides, PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, and more.
Recognize toxins early: Detect dangerous marine toxins like palytoxin
Reveal hidden contaminants: Identify plasticizers and other environmental pollutants.
Uncover hidden issues: Discover underlying causes of problems that were previously undetectable.
Expand your knowledge: Learn more about your tank's unique chemical ecosystem.
How It Works
Similar to an ICP test, you’ll collect a water sample using a dedicated Organo-MS kit and send it to our lab. We perform the analysis and provide a comprehensive report with recommendations.
What the Report Includes
The Organo-MS report has two parts:
1. Targeted Analysis
This section includes a list of ~100 compounds we specifically search for and quantify. This list is growing continuously and currently includes:
- Vitamins and amino acids
- Common herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides
- Organic UV filters (e.g., from sunscreens)
- PFAS (“forever chemicals”)
- several Pharmaceuticals and antibiotics
- severyl Plasticizers
- Marine toxins and more
You'll receive quantitative data for these compounds, if they are above the limit of detection.
See here some screenshots from a example report:
2. Non-Targeted Analysis
Here, we match your sample against a database of ~50,000 compounds. This allows us to detect unexpected and potentially impactful substances not included in the targeted list.
This part is often most surprising—and valuable. For example:
- Metabolites of dosed medications
- Unanticipated contaminants (e.g., we found testosterone in a freshwater tank)
- Potent marine toxins like saxitoxin from dinoflagellates
See here some example non-target data from a marine tank analysis:
Sensitivity
Organo-MS is highly sensitive. Most substances can be detected at levels well below 1 µg/L, though sensitivity may vary depending on the compound.
Do You Need Organo-MS?
Absolutely not—many successful reef tanks thrive without it. But Organo-MS is a powerful diagnostic and exploratory tool. It’s particularly valuable for tanks facing unexplained issues or for hobbyists eager to explore the "chemical dark matter" of their aquarium systems.
There’s a lot more to discuss on this topic—so if you have questions, feel free to ask. I'm happy to dive deeper into any aspect of the Organo-MS!
All the best,
Christoph
