Where is aluminum coming from?

[purpfish]

My last two icps have shown high aluminum (83.8 ug/land 89.1 ug/l on ICP-Ms) where could it be coming from? return Pump is a mighty jet but my Wavemaker is jebao so I thought I might be coming from that but I honestly have no idea,

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Any white media in use?

It may not be high enough to cause apparent issues.

 

[purpfish]

Yes but White media (seachem matrix) was removed last icp

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes but White media (seachem matrix) was removed last icp

What was the Al value in the last ICP and how long ago was that?

 

[purpfish]

What was the Al value in the last ICP and how long ago was that?

83.8 and 89.1 one month after

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

83.8 and 89.1 one month after

I'd keep watching, but there may be other sources as well. Salt mix and additives are much more likely than things like pumps.

 

[purpfish]

I'd keep watching, but there may be other sources as well. Salt mix and additives are much more likely than things like pumps.

Could it also have been from stirring the white media up when I removed it?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Could it also have been from stirring the white media up when I removed it?

Yes, definitely.

 

[rtparty]

Seachem matrix is pumice stone, not ceramic media like Marine Pure.

Does that make a difference @Randy Holmes-Farley?

 

[Seansea]

Any thing ceramic will definatly give you aluminum. I had the balls in my tank and removed them and went down. Have you done any waternchanges since removal?

 

[purpfish]

Any thing ceramic will definatly give you aluminum. I had the balls in my tank and removed them and went down. Have you done any waternchanges since removal?

I honestly can’t remember

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Seachem matrix is pumice stone, not ceramic media like Marine Pure.

Does that make a difference @Randy Holmes-Farley?

Pumice can contain substantial aluminum.

https://mapleaggregates.com/pumice_in_horticulture.html

 

[Mike Sydney]

My last two icps have shown high aluminum (83.8 ug/land 89.1 ug/l on ICP-Ms) where could it be coming from? return Pump is a mighty jet but my Wavemaker is jebao so I thought I might be coming from that but I honestly have no idea,

I know TCIP well as a scientist.
The problem with TCIP is that Aluminum Oxide or Bauxite will be reported as Aluminium, in this form it does not present a problem it is abundant in the environment. The reason is people who are not degree chemists are running amok with this equipment, and when computer says , computer must be right!
Marine pure for example has an amount of bauxite in its composition, and this can cause this false reading, along with other common items such as pump wear rotors and some substrates

 

[Mike Sydney]

Any white media in use?

It may not be high enough to cause apparent issues.

I know TCIP well as a scientist.
The problem with TCIP is that Aluminum Oxide or Bauxite will be reported as Aluminium, in this form it does not present a problem it is abundant in the environment. The reason is people who are not degree chemists are running amok with this equipment, and when computer says , computer must be right!
Marine pure for example has an amount of bauxite in its composition, and this can cause this false reading, along with other common items such as pump wear rotors and some substrates

 

[Mike Sydney]

Any white media in use?

It may not be high enough to cause apparent issues.

In fact apart from Aluminium Oxide just about any Metal Oxide can cause a false metal ion detection in TCIP.
It is because you are turning the sample to plasma

 

[purpfish]

In fact apart from Aluminium Oxide just about any Metal Oxide can cause a false metal ion detection in TCIP.
It is because you are turning the sample to plasma

Thank you for the detailed explantion

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the detailed explantion

IMO, it is not an accurate explanation.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

In fact apart from Aluminium Oxide just about any Metal Oxide can cause a false metal ion detection in TCIP.
It is because you are turning the sample to plasma

I am an expert chemist who has run icp specifically for aluminum with my own hands. No need to assume I do not know what I am talking about.

You have no evidence that folks detecting Al are only seeing particulates.

 

[purpfish]

Well aluminum is still increasing so not sure what the source is

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How high now? Just to reiterate, no white media, phosphate binders, etc?