Tropic Marin ICP

[areefer01]

The systems that rely on ICP are inherently a poor choice IMO for most reefers

But there are hobbyist who excel using them. Different strokes /shrug

 

[rishma]

ATI's reference is 1.27 mg/l. Fiji sample is 1.04. My last sample on 12/02 was .7.

Interesting. Mine is also 0.77 in last ICP.

 

[rishma]

This topic simply becomes another “perfect is the enemy of great” conversation

I bet most reefers who use the TM ICP and Block system will have great results and water chemistry is very unlikely to be an issue. Worrying about every individual element and the ratio and all that nonsense will just hinder progress. Especially if we calculate in the unreliable nature of these ICP tests from ALL of the companies.

I’ll still argue that having A system is more important than THE system (assuming we pick a system that has shown success and makes sense.)

The systems that rely on ICP are inherently a poor choice IMO for most reefers

I don’t disagree that people who use TM block are likely to have success. I’d also argue that those who use just all for reef or A and K will be similarly successful. I personally don’t dose individual elements except a little extra iodine. If you look at my trace, there is no TM block product that would elevate those elements I am low in without also elevating those that are already high (except maybe the iodine block). That’s my only point. I don’t see this as significantly better than their existing products.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The incorporation of fluoride into calcium carbonate will decline as the fluoride level declines. That will tend to keep the levels from dropping too far.

 

[rishma]

The incorporation of fluoride into calcium carbonate will decline as the fluoride level declines. That will tend to keep the levels from dropping too far.

Which would explain why my fluoride level stayed around 0.7 for the last year after dropping from 1.3 in early 2024. I

 

[rtparty]

Do you consider the blocks and improvement over TM A and K?

The Block system has more trace elements overall. Is that an improvement? Maybe?

One complaint we see from AFR is low iodine. The Block system would allow someone to dose more of just that block if wanted.

I have moved off TM A and K at this point though since the new NYOS trace bottles are a better solution that have potassium included. TM once again left potassium out of the Block system which I find odd. Are they expecting Part C to help with potassium?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

.

I have moved off TM A and K at this point though since the new NYOS trace bottles are a better solution that have potassium included. TM once again left potassium out of the Block system which I find odd. Are they expecting Part C to help with potassium?

Are you using a two part without potassium?

While the fixed ratio claim is softened with the word “often”, I find it misleading. But this statement from TM is just over the top ridiculous with its “critical role” claim for several of these elements:

Tropic Marin® Block Molybdenum is a concentrated solution formulated to replenish key trace elements often depleted in marine aquariums: molybdenum, rubidium, vanadium, tungsten, tellurium, and hafnium. These elements play critical roles in coral metabolism, enzyme activation, and ionic balance—ensuring your reef system operates at peak biological efficiency.

 

[areefer01]

One complaint we see from AFR is low iodine. The Block system would allow someone to dose more of just that block if wanted.

There is a thread around here somewhere with Hans asking about Iodine. If my memory serves me correctly as a result of that thread Tropic Marin increased the amount of Iodine in AFR.

I've not had a issue with AFR and Iodine. Of course every system is different.

I have moved off TM A and K at this point though since the new NYOS trace bottles are a better solution that have potassium included. TM once again left potassium out of the Block system which I find odd. Are they expecting Part C to help with potassium?

As with the Iron thread at around the same time, 2020 or 2021 this also came up as to why AFR does not contain potassium.

 

[rtparty]

Are you using a two part without potassium?

While the fixed ratio claim is softened with the word “often”, I find it misleading. But this statement from TM is just over the top ridiculous with its “critical role” claim for several of these elements:

Tropic Marin® Block Molybdenum is a concentrated solution formulated to replenish key trace elements often depleted in marine aquariums: molybdenum, rubidium, vanadium, tungsten, tellurium, and hafnium. These elements play critical roles in coral metabolism, enzyme activation, and ionic balance—ensuring your reef system operates at peak biological efficiency.

I am using NYOS on my big tank and AFR on my small tank

TM has been moving in the wrong direction on many things IMO. Like making salt with Fauna Marin. I suspect there is some economic reason behind that but still a very odd choice. TM was one of the better companies with their claims and keeping it accurate. To team up with FM who is one of the absolute worst with accurate claims was shocking. Then to see the claims being made on the Block system furthers the odd moves being made

 

[rishma]

The Block system has more trace elements overall. Is that an improvement? Maybe?

One complaint we see from AFR is low iodine. The Block system would allow someone to dose more of just that block if wanted.

I have moved off TM A and K at this point though since the new NYOS trace bottles are a better solution that have potassium included. TM once again left potassium out of the Block system which I find odd. Are they expecting Part C to help with potassium?

Nyos 2 part system does look very well thought out. I’m not interested in making a change but if I did that would be a contender.

My tank potassium is always good. I don’t dose anything to supplement it. I suppose it’s not being used much.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am using NYOS on my big tank and AFR on my small tank

TM has been moving in the wrong direction on many things IMO. Like making salt with Fauna Marin. I suspect there is some economic reason behind that but still a very odd choice. TM was one of the better companies with their claims and keeping it accurate. To team up with FM who is one of the absolute worst with accurate claims was shocking. Then to see the claims being made on the Block system furthers the odd moves being made

I was not previously aware of their joint effort.

 

[rtparty]

I was not previously aware of their joint effort.

It’s called Pure salt I believe. Again, a very odd move IMO because I’m not sure anyone is asking for another TM or FM salt?

 

[Bugger]

Do you consider the blocks and improvement over TM A and K?

Ha ha the rebuttal. No it's the same thing isn't it. Yet Red Sea only adds or least I think it does what is absolutely necessary. Or am I wrong. What are the elements do we need to look out for, What is the genuine best system right now?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It’s called Pure salt I believe. Again, a very odd move IMO because I’m not sure anyone is asking for another TM or FM salt?

Yes, I just looked it up, but the info was in German which I did not have time to try to figure out what its claim to fame is.

Do you know?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Ha ha the rebuttal. No it's the same thing isn't it. Yet Red Sea only adds or least I think it does what is absolutely necessary. Or am I wrong. What are the elements do we need to look out for, What is the genuine best system right now?

I think there is a whole range of trace methods from expensive and tedious supplementation of each important element (and some not useful) based on icp to dosing a mix of elements based on mL per day per gallon, to just dosing a select few.

It’s hard to argue the former is not “better”, or at least not worse, but is expensive and a lot of work that may or may not be worth it.

 

[rtparty]

Ha ha the rebuttal. No it's the same thing isn't it. Yet Red Sea only adds or least I think it does what is absolutely necessary. Or am I wrong. What are the elements do we need to look out for, What is the genuine best system right now?

There is no best. Too many variables to crown one system the best

 

[ingchr1]

It’s called Pure salt I believe. Again, a very odd move IMO because I’m not sure anyone is asking for another TM or FM salt?

Yes, I just looked it up, but the info was in German which I did not have time to try to figure out what its claim to fame is.

Do you know?

Is this what you are referencing, Nyos Pure?
https://www.nyos.info/en/meersalz

 

[rishma]

It’s called Pure salt I believe. Again, a very odd move IMO because I’m not sure anyone is asking for another TM or FM salt?

I thought NYOS made NYOS Pure. I think that’s the salt I’m using

 

[rtparty]

Is this what you are referencing, Nyos Pure?
https://www.nyos.info/en/meersalz

No. It is called Purity Reef Salt and seems to be salt without trace elements?

https://www.tropic-marin.com/purity-reef-salt?lang=en

 

[rtparty]

I thought NYOS made NYOS Pure. I think that’s the salt I’m using

NYOS does make Pure. I had the name slightly wrong. It’s Purity Reef Salt