Is it possible to overdose Tropic Marin Elements A- and K+?

[rowenaad]

Hi reefers, I just have my second ICP result back. it has been 6 weeks since my first test and 4 weeks after I started dosing Tropic Marin Elements A- and K+. The results are almost identical to the previous one and measures low or undetectable for trace elements except iodine dropped from 33 to 12. My tank is a 20 gal nano, net water volume around 18 gal. According to Tropic Marin Elements A- and K+ instruction, I should dose 0.68ml daily, but my doser can only do 1ml minimum, so I calibrated my doser to measure 50ml when it says 100ml and dose 1ml daily which ideally equals to 0.5ml of real liquid, but i dont really know what the minimal dosage it can do so it might be anywhere.

Seeing the ICP still reporting low on trace elements, I'm thinking increase the dosage to correctly calibrate the doser and do 1ml per day but that would exceed the recommended dosage of 0.68ml. Would i run into problem with over dosing or they should deplete fast enough?

 

[EnterName]

Yes, it is possible to overdose trace elements, but as long as your ICP analysis doesn't report increased levels you won't have to worry too much and can add a bit more.

Additionally some trace elements cannot be measured by ICP-OES in low concentrations and Triton will just report them as "0.00 µg/L" instead of "below detection limit". This means it is very well possible that you have successfully increased certain trace element levels, but they are simply still below the detection limit of ICP-OES. An ICP-MS analysis would be able to detect trace elements at significantly lower concentrations, which makes it more suitable to detect changes.

Note that adsorbers, activated charcoal, zeolite, etc. can remove trace elements over time and you might need to compensate for that if you are using said materials.

 

[rowenaad]

Yes, it is possible to overdose trace elements, but as long as your ICP analysis doesn't report increased levels you won't have to worry too much and can add a bit more.

Additionally some trace elements cannot be measured by ICP-OES in low concentrations and Triton will just report them as "0.00 µg/L" instead of "below detection limit". This means it is very well possible that you have successfully increased certain trace element levels, but they are simply still below the detection limit of ICP-OES. An ICP-MS analysis would be able to detect trace elements at significantly lower concentrations, which makes it more suitable to detect changes.

Note that adsorbers, activated charcoal, zeolite, etc. can remove trace elements over time and you might need to compensate for that if you are using said materials.

Thanks! I had a look at the triton detection limits doc and i think thats low enough that when they say its 0, its still safe it raise it. I only run activated carbon. Ill do 1 ml a day and see how that changes on the next test

 

[Hans-Werner]

Yes, Tropic Marin K+ and A- Elements can be overdosed. Since you are low in iodine and other trace elements you likely can at least double dosages. Maybe make it in two steps, + 50 % in a first step and the same increase after your next ICP analysis, if concentrations are still low.

The dosage of trace elements usually translates not 1 : 1 into increase in concentrations. It is more complicated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

As a general rule, anything except new salt water for changes can be overdosed with negative effects.