Tropic Marin Block Analysis

[GARRIGA]

Saw this mentioned a few weeks ago on a European broadcast where elements are grouped and dosed based on one within the group. Been asking this question for a while on dosing A&K off one major element in each and seems we now have a solution where all in the group are expected to deplete by the same percentage based off just getting results off one. Can also be supplemented with AFR which just made life easier for those dosing said product.

Very interesting direction and I’m all for simplifying any and all aspects of my life and hobbies.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Saw this mentioned a few weeks ago on a European broadcast where elements are grouped and dosed based on one within the group. Been asking this question for a while on dosing A&K off one major element in each and seems we now have a solution where all in the group are expected to deplete by the same percentage based off just getting results off one. Can also be supplemented with AFR which just made life easier for those dosing said product.

Very interesting direction and I’m all for simplifying any and all aspects of my life and hobbies.

I’m not sure I agree with that assessment that such a grouping is most appropriate. It may work, just as no dosing also works, or a fixed amount per gallon per day works.

 

[GARRIGA]

I’m not sure I agree with that assessment that such a grouping is most appropriate. It may work, just as no dosing also works, or a fixed amount per gallon per day works.

Lou mentioned how it's separated based on how these elements affect different areas of the coral and apparently utilized at the same rate. Obviously I'm not informed in this area but if they are correct in general as to this approach then it would make testing and replenishment much easier which I'm always seeking.

 

[GARRIGA]

@Lou Ekus

Can you elaborate further as this seems very intriguing and KISS always appreciated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Lou mentioned how it's separated based on how these elements affect different areas of the coral and apparently utilized at the same rate. Obviously I'm not informed in this area but if they are correct in general as to this approach then it would make testing and replenishment much easier which I'm always seeking.

Obviously it will depend on the trace elements involved, but different organisms use them in different ways for different purposes and thus may consume different relative amounts.

 

[rtparty]

The A and K elements are pretty foolproof IME. The dosing recommendation on them is conservative which I think is a good thing.

I dosed the BRS balling hybrid method which adds the A and K to your 2 part and uses Part C as well for close to 2 years on my 250. I sent off a few ATI ICP tests over the years and most things lined up great with a few being low here and there. The low elements are the typical offenders with any system though. Usually iodine, manganese, iron. Easy and cheap to dose those individually if one sees the need.

Towards the end I was using the 330ml per gallon of 2 part dosing.

 

[GARRIGA]

Obviously it will depend on the trace elements involved, but different organisms use them in different ways for different purposes and thus may consume different relative amounts.

Seems they are implying that certain elements deplete at the same rate. Could there be a relationship where say iron and manganese deplete at the same rate thereby knowing one can extrapolate the other or are you saying that all elements behave independently.

I get how one organism may utilize more iron than another but would it then be possible that the organism utilizing say 10% more iron would possibly also utilize 10% more manganese. That's the context I took from the video.

Not saying iron and manganese have this relationship but seems those two often depleted by macroalgae and CheatoGro doses both in exact amounts in relation to each other.

 

[GARRIGA]

The A and K elements are pretty foolproof IME. The dosing recommendation on them is conservative which I think is a good thing.

I dosed the BRS balling hybrid method which adds the A and K to your 2 part and uses Part C as well for close to 2 years on my 250. I sent off a few ATI ICP tests over the years and most things lined up great with a few being low here and there. The low elements are the typical offenders with any system though. Usually iodine, manganese, iron. Easy and cheap to dose those individually if one sees the need.

Towards the end I was using the 330ml per gallon of 2 part dosing.

This block analysis bifurcates A&K into smaller components what I'm understanding. Better targeting specific needs without the mundane hassle of dosing many individual elements such as with Moon Shiners.

My approach was going to be how you stated but would be simpler if instead of assuming A&K then incremental on individual elements such as iron one could add slew in one shot. Perhaps a hybrid of what you are doing if say iron and manganese depleted at the same percentage rate.

Unfortunately, Lou mentioned this being released in Europe as we speak but still a year out for the sates. At a minimum they can work the kinks out

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seems they are implying that certain elements deplete at the same rate. Could there be a relationship where say iron and manganese deplete at the same rate thereby knowing one can extrapolate the other or are you saying that all elements behave independently.

I get how one organism may utilize more iron than another but would it then be possible that the organism utilizing say 10% more iron would possibly also utilize 10% more manganese. That's the context I took from the video.

Not saying iron and manganese have this relationship but seems those two often depleted by macroalgae and CheatoGro doses both in exact amounts in relation to each other.

I think to say things deplete at similar rates is certainly incorrect in detail, but as rtparty notes above, can be good enough for an average rate in an average tank to keep enough and not too much. That may not be nearly as demanding of a criteria as some icp companies would contend.

 

[PetitReef]

maybe @Lou Ekus can give us more detail, but i am seing the product page on the tropic marin site with the different block already published

https://www.tropic-marin.com/balance?lang=enlisting page

- https://www.tropic-marin.com/block-nickel?lang=en

Elements, Chemical Symbol and contents:
Nickel – Ni – 500 µg/l (ppb)
Manganese – Mn – 1000 µg/l (ppb)
Iron – Fe – 750 µg/l (ppb)
Cobalt – Co – 120 µg/l (ppb)
Boron – B – 350 µg/l (ppb)

- https://www.tropic-marin.com/block-iodine?lang=en

Elements, Chemical Symbol and contents:
Iodine – I – 8750 µg /l (ppb)
Fluorine – F – 11100 µg /l (ppb)
Bromine – Br – 4350 µg /l (ppb)
Selenium – Se – 5 µg/l (ppb)

- https://www.tropic-marin.com/block-molybdenum?lang=en

Elements, Chemical Symbol and contents:
Molybdenum – Mo – 1500 µg/l (ppb)
Rubidium – Rb – 1500 µg/l (ppb)
Vanadium – V – 600 µg/l (ppb)
Tungsten – W – 7.5 µg/l (ppb)
Tellurium – Te – 1.5 µg/l (ppb)
Hafnium – 1.5 µg/l (ppb)

- https://www.tropic-marin.com/block-strontium?lang=en

Elements, Chemical Symbol and contents:
Strontium – Sr – 500 mg/l (ppm)
Barium – B – 660 µg/l (ppb)

-https://www.tropic-marin.com/block-zinc?lang=en

Elements, Chemical Symbol and contents:
Zinc – Zn – 500 µg/l (ppb)
Copper – Cu – 320 µg/l (ppb)
Chromium – Cr – 200 µg/l (ppb)
Gallium – Ga – 0.5 µg/l (ppb)

the page also mention two tropic Marin ICP test, which i believe to be new also

We recommend checking the molybdenum concentration levels and other water values regularly with Tropic Marin® ICP Water Analysis or Tropic Marin® ICP Water Analysis Plus.

but the page seems to be offline at the moment.


is there any date on availability?

 

[Lou Ekus]

These Block solutions are not yet available in the US. We have no projected available date as of this time.

 

[PetitReef]

Thanks Lou, it Look very interesting to provide more control on trace dosing over A- and K+.

 

[PetitReef]

It seems it's going to be launched soon in Europe, i saw this video (in german) being posted last evening :

I am based in europe, so i am looking to test the new ICP and the block system when released. this is the solution i have been waiting for to give me more control than the A- and K+ dosing I am doing with AFR and my AWC

the ICP lab site is open, I was able to register: https://lab.tropic-marin.com/
Based on the image it seems that it might be a partnership with Fauna Marin lab.

@Hans-Werner any indication for the launch in europe?

 

[Hans-Werner]

@Hans-Werner any indication for the launch in europe?

This is exactly the target of the block solutions, to offer the trace elements in reasonable ratios but to allow much more flexibility than with the K+ and A- Elements only.

In Germany it was launched last weekend at the Reefmania fair in Stuttgart. It is not clear yet when it will be launched internationally. We will have to see whether all processes and procedures work as intended and likely we will have to optimize some things.

Likely there will be channels that make at least the block solutions available in France soon. Requests will also play a role. :)

 

[GARRIGA]

France has tanks? How is that even possible :thinking-face:

 

[Hans-Werner]

France has tanks? How is that even possible :thinking-face:

Pisa is not Paris :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

 

[Reign1]

Pisa is not Paris :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

Umm .. yeah was like wrong country

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Pisa is not Paris :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

Is the whole of Europe tilting? lol

 

[GARRIGA]

Was going to post this but doubt any here know what it is and I didn't before searching leaning buildings in France :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing:

 

[Hans-Werner]

Is the whole of Europe tilting? lol

It's a matter of perspective. If you photograph the tower of Pisa upright, Europe, or at least Italy, is tilting. :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes:

... but I haven't heard of a leaning tower of Paris yet ... :grinning-face-with-smiling-eyes: