My first ( and probably my last) ICP test

[lubeck]

Got my ICP test back today. It appears that everything is on track. Not sure about Boron, Cobalt, Nickel? Appears my RODI water is good, however I did have all new filters in the unit prior to testing. Its good to know that if all filters are new the water is clean.

I will continue to do my weekly water changes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would not agonize over those you mention.

Are you using a trace element supplement?

 

[lubeck]

I would not agonize over those you mention.

Are you using a trace element supplement?

No supplements added other than 2 part, kalk, mb7 and weekly water changes and coral snow.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No supplements added other than 2 part, kalk, mb7 and weekly water changes and coral snow.

You might look to add those that are low. Not sure if it will be beneficial, however, because there may be enough already.

 

[lubeck]

You might look to add those that are low. Not sure if it will be beneficial, however, because there may be enough already.

Okay thanks Randy. Cobalt and nickel are low, if they could improve sps color I would be happy. I would assume my salt has these but not enough?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Okay thanks Randy. Cobalt and nickel are low, if they could improve sps color I would be happy. I would assume my salt has these but not enough?

Most trace elements are not maintained long term by ordinary water changes. Foods are likely a much bigger source. Folks seem to neglect that source for reasons I do not understand.

 

[rishma]

Most trace elements are not maintained long term by ordinary water changes. Foods are likely a much bigger source. Folks seem to neglect that source for reasons I do not understand.

I know this to be true (learned from here) but I don’t know which trace elements are likely in which foods. Link to article to educate me incoming?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I know this to be true (learned from here) but I don’t know which trace elements are likely in which foods. Link to article to educate me incoming?

I expect all are in foods to varying degrees, but I've only addressed it in this one question of the day with respect to iron:

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...e-elements-coming-from.1014155/#post-11864284
from it:

Which adds more iron to a 100 L reef tank that is completely depleted in iron:

1. A 100% water change with natural seawater, which we will assume for this purpose has a concentration of 0.5 nM or 28 ng/L = 0.028 ug/L
2. 1 medium shrimp (size 41-60/pound)
3. Nori sheet 7" x 8"
4. 1 whole sardine (2-2/3" x 1/2" x 1/4")


The values quoted vary a lot, but the best I can come up with is:

4>3>2>>1

sardine has most
nori is second
shrimp is third
and even a 100% water change is way, way below all of these.

 

[Freenow54]

Got my ICP test back today. It appears that everything is on track. Not sure about Boron, Cobalt, Nickel? Appears my RODI water is good, however I did have all new filters in the unit prior to testing. Its good to know that if all filters are new the water is clean.

I will continue to do my weekly water changes.

Be aware there is an actual RO filter that needs to be changed every 2 years or so. My manual was not very clear on this, and took me a long time to find. Also you have to match the GPD or gallons per day. Also Very Expensive . Also when this is done Flushing is necessary. Of course this assumes you are drinking it which I am not. I also added a UV light in line again matching flow rate. Also A DI filter

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

FWIW, I never needed to replace my RO membrane. Each one lasted as long as I had the whole unit, about 10 years. lifetime will be less in areas with harder water.

 

[lubeck]

I change my membrane every 2-3 years as my water is hard and is over 700+ TDS

 

[Freenow54]

FWIW, I never needed to replace my RO membrane. Each one lasted as long as I had the whole unit, about 10 years. lifetime will be less in areas with harder water.

Well that changes my hopes. It was mainly because of you telling me about bacteria that prompted me to check about it. The manual says 2 to 5 years ( my system is at least 5 ), but my water is certainly not hard , but there could be all sorts of chemicals in the water due to years of abuse ( Lake Erie ). I was hoping for better flow and elimination of any bacteria. Although the membrane is only 24 GPD. And as I told you I did take your advice and add a UV light. I do notice a huge odour difference now in my hot water. Remember I am using a Watts zero waste. For now it is a mute point because I have the filter. But now may not bother changing it at this point. Thanks for the information.