My corals are starving ICP-MS

[carri10]

I use the same ICP provider (I am based in France). I must say, some of your metals seem quite out of line (Cu for example). Your RO water doesn't seem too bad (I wouldn't worry about the silicate - it feeds sponges, and the Al is a common occurance, so I am lead to believe). I wonder where the other heavy metals are coming from? Is something rusting in the tank?

Also, what source do you use in Europe for your hammers - they look nice to me, in the video.

 

[Rixar]

I use the same ICP provider (I am based in France). I must say, some of your metals seem quite out of line (Cu for example). Your RO water doesn't seem too bad (I wouldn't worry about the silicate - it feeds sponges, and the Al is a common occurance, so I am lead to believe). I wonder where the other heavy metals are coming from? Is something rusting in the tank?

Also, what source do you use in Europe for your hammers - they look nice to me, in the video.

I buy all my corals locally. I think they come from TMC in Portugal, but I'm not sure.

There's one thing I've noticed over time: when I add new activated carbon, the corals feel distressed. When I change the water, the corals become happier.

I've long suspected that the problem is the permanently activated carbon; I think it depletes all the organic carbon.

After removing the activated carbon and doing four 30% water changes this week, I've noticed an improvement in my corals; they're back to their normal size.

I'll report back in a bit.

Thanks to everyone.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I don’t think organics are the explanation, since water changes would lower them and they may not play a required role when N and P are otherwise adequate.

Trace elements seem more likely to me, either being too high and brought in as a contaminant in your GAC , or lack of some element that GAC is binding (Which happens).

 

[Rixar]

No creo que los compuestos orgánicos sean la explicación, ya que los cambios de agua los reducirían y podrían no cumplir el papel requerido cuando el N y el P son adecuados.

Me parece más probable que haya oligoelementos, ya sea porque están en niveles demasiado altos y se incorporan como contaminante al GAC, o porque falta algún elemento al que se une el GAC (lo que sucede).

It could be. In 10 years of keeping aquariums, this has never happened to me. As you say, the carbon could be releasing metals or depleting some trace element.

For now, I've removed the carbon and will throw this carbon away.

If I need to use activated carbon later, I'll buy Rox.

I'll post in a couple of weeks if the problem has been resolved.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Rox 0.8 is a good choice. What brand were you using?

 

[Rixar]

Rox 0.8 is a good choice. What brand were you using?

Aquaforest activated carbon.

I've been testing phosphates for two days now, and I've noticed one thing: I always take my measurements in the morning before turning on the lights; the values there are good.

Yesterday I measured in the afternoon, after having the lights on for five hours, and the values I got were very low.

It's possible that my system is depleted of PO4 during daylight hours and can't feed the corals.

I've set up my Versa pump to dose phosphate during the photoperiod hours.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Aquaforest activated carbon.

I've been testing phosphates for two days now, and I've noticed one thing: I always take my measurements in the morning before turning on the lights; the values there are good.

Yesterday I measured in the afternoon, after having the lights on for five hours, and the values I got were very low.

It's possible that my system is depleted of PO4 during daylight hours and can't feed the corals.

I've set up my Versa pump to dose phosphate during the photoperiod hours.

What were these two values?

 

[Rixar]

¿Cuáles eran estos dos valores?

In the morning: 0.06, in the afternoon approximately 0.006

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In the morning: 0.06, in the afternoon approximately 0.006

Id personally raise it