What are the best uses for an ICP test and what should you not use it for?

Daniel@R2R · Apr 12, 2022

ICP test kits are IMHO one of the best testing innovations that we've seen come available to the reef hobby in recent years. The advent of ICP testing has allowed us to diagnose problems, identify trends, and provide better maintenance and health for our reef tanks. As we consider the uses of ICP testing, I found this video by @Bulk Reef Supply where Ryan goes over his top 5 uses for ICP tests as well as a couple of things he wouldn't use it for.

This video got me to thinking about all the ways I've seen ICP tests used by our community, and I thought this could be a fun discussion.

I've seen these tests used in some helpful ways, but I've also seen reefers make mistakes in the ways they use these tests which can lead to problems from misdiagnosis of problems that may not have been present to start with.

So, what are the things you've found ICP tests to be useful for?
What are the things these tests should not be used for?

blaxsun · Apr 12, 2022

I've only run one lab test to-date, and I ran it a few months after I got my tank setup to get a good read on my parameters, ie: how close my manual tests were to actual lab results, if I was dosing enough trace elements, etc.

Gtinnel · Apr 12, 2022

I have only got one icp test done and it was fairly recently and I did it to see if I was under or over dosing trace elements.
I also wanted to make sure I didn’t have anything undesirable leeching into my water.
After looking at the information that was provided from the test, I am a fan of them and will probably continue to do a test every few months. The cost of the test is worth the piece of mind to me (ecspecially since I used the cheap Fauna Marin test, which worked well for me).

rtparty · Apr 12, 2022

Best use? Running Reef Moonshiners

Gtinnel · Apr 12, 2022

rtparty said:
Best use? Running Reef Moonshiners

I am strongly considering switching to Reef Moonshiners method. Everyone I’ve talked to who does it seems to like it.

X-37B · Apr 12, 2022

I ran one at the 2 year mark just to see how close my own testing was to the ICP test. It was close with nothing out of line.
I have 2 other systems that I have never ran one on.
Unless I have an issue I dont see the need. Once a year is not a bad idea though.

NowGlazeIT · Apr 12, 2022

Not sure what they’re best use is. I always use one when my tank is going south for whatever reason. I try to look for anything abnormal. The last two times nothing jumped off the charts so I’ve yet to be thankful for my test results.

NowGlazeIT · Apr 12, 2022

I could see them offering peace of mind to those looking for specific param fluctuations/uptake/dosing. But those that are looking for a catch all answer to their tank situation…good luck.

rtparty · Apr 12, 2022

Gtinnel said:
I am strongly considering switching to Reef Moonshiners method. Everyone I’ve talked to who does it seems to like it.

A little costly up front but the additives last forever! I'm 15 months in and haven't used half of most bottles.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Apr 12, 2022

The best use for me was to show that despite never dosing potassium in 20 years, it was spot on.

Billldg · Apr 12, 2022

I feel they are good for trace elements, as trace element test kits are notoriously inaccurate due to the margin of error being greater than what they are measuring.

Sean Clark · Apr 12, 2022

I was all about them in the past. After running several test on an established system with nothing coming of the test, I stopped.

I ran a few on my new system just to see. Again, I only received a bit of peace of mind from the test.

I do think they are good to establish some element consumption or just to check on things once a year or so.

MnFish1 · Apr 12, 2022

Daniel@R2R said:
ICP test kits are IMHO one of the best testing innovations that we've seen come available to the reef hobby in recent years. The advent of ICP testing has allowed us to diagnose problems, identify trends, and provide better maintenance and health for our reef tanks. As we consider the uses of ICP testing, I found this video by @Bulk Reef Supply where Ryan goes over his top 5 uses for ICP tests as well as a couple of things he wouldn't use it for.

This video got me to thinking about all the ways I've seen ICP tests used by our community, and I thought this could be a fun discussion. I've seen these tests used in some helpful ways, but I've also seen reefers make mistakes in the ways they use these tests which can lead to problems from misdiagnosis of problems that may not have been present to start with.

So, what are the things you've found ICP tests to be useful for?
What are the things these tests should not be used for?

1. I have never done one. BUT - I'm well familiar with their use. If you do not do water changes - OR are worried that something COULD be building up in your tank - I would consider it. The problem is the 'normal ranges' for most tests (and I assume the ICP tests - are based on standard deviations away from the mean. Meaning if you do 90 tests - 3 or 4 are going to show 'abnormal' results - ust based on statistics. Which leads to questioning 'whats wrong'. But - if I had an unexplained problem with the tank I would order one.

2. They should not be used for anything but measuring individual elements I.e. Na, Cl, Cu etc etc. any tests that are returned for 'nitrate' or 'alkalinity' or a compound - are merely the same kinds of tests you can do at home. They will not test for dissolved organics. Instead some huge molecule full of CHNo2So4zn3Br (totally made up chemical) - will just show up as S, Zn and Br. you cannot tell the organic load, nitrate, etc from this type of test.

dakoop · Apr 13, 2022

This reminds me that I need to do an icp test

3429810 · Apr 13, 2022

Billldg said:
I feel they are good for trace elements, as trace element test kits are notoriously inaccurate due to the margin of error being greater than what they are measuring.

Is the Red Sea trace kit that way? Been thinking of buying that but had never heard about inaccuracies.

NowGlazeIT · Apr 13, 2022

bert236 said:
Is the Red Sea trace kit that way? Been thinking of buying that but had never heard about inaccuracies.

RS makes a trace test kit now?

Duncan62 · Apr 13, 2022

Daniel@R2R said:
ICP test kits are IMHO one of the best testing innovations that we've seen come available to the reef hobby in recent years. The advent of ICP testing has allowed us to diagnose problems, identify trends, and provide better maintenance and health for our reef tanks. As we consider the uses of ICP testing, I found this video by @Bulk Reef Supply where Ryan goes over his top 5 uses for ICP tests as well as a couple of things he wouldn't use it for.

This video got me to thinking about all the ways I've seen ICP tests used by our community, and I thought this could be a fun discussion. I've seen these tests used in some helpful ways, but I've also seen reefers make mistakes in the ways they use these tests which can lead to problems from misdiagnosis of problems that may not have been present to start with.

So, what are the things you've found ICP tests to be useful for?
What are the things these tests should not be used for?

I've avoided them because I'm afraid of what it'll tell me. Lol. I'm in the no water change group and have dosed manually forever. I do test for the main parameters and keep things stable. I might find out that my stuff has acclimated to sewer conditions. Lol. But... I'd really like to know. Maybe some day.

NowGlazeIT · Apr 13, 2022

Duncan62 said:
I've avoided them because I'm afraid of what it'll tell me. Lol. I'm in the no water change group and have dosed manually forever. I do test for the main parameters and keep things stable. I might find out that my stuff has acclimated to sewer conditions. Lol. But... I'd really like to know. Maybe some day.

Are you dosing anything besides the main 3?

shakacuz · Apr 13, 2022

rtparty said:
Best use? Running Reef Moonshiners

been running it for about 2 months. have noticed some results already!

Gtinnel said:
I am strongly considering switching to Reef Moonshiners method. Everyone I’ve talked to who does it seems to like it.

initial cost is usually what turns some away. but once you understand your consumption rates it becomes a breeze!

RSnodgrass · Apr 13, 2022

I run regularly now, every 1-3mo. After having an undefined problem show up that could have been spotted well in advance I'm going to keep using them. It took a year to recover.

It's also a helpful indication of what my ro filter change schedule needs to be.