Found the cause for my SPS' STN. Some questions.

[paal]

My new 100g tank has been running over 9 months now. It's been going great, but I have struggled keeping most sps. Except for a very few, (1x staghorn, 1x seratiopora, 1x stylophora) everyting else have been looking OK initially, but have then started stn'ing sooner or later.
I've been using Aquaforest probiotic salt only. (Weekly 10% water changes) No additional dosing has been required so far.

I took samples of my RODI + tank water and sent them to Marinlab for testing. (ICP-OES)
I can now see that my "œ0 TDS -reading" has fooled me. I feel so stupid for not replacing the filters sooner since they were used on my previous nano tank as well(!)), but I figured 0 TDS = safe.
Lesson learned, but the damage has obviously already been done. How should I proceed?
A complete new RODI unit has been ordered. Would something like 50% weekly water changes the next month or two be OK, or is this a situation where I need to transfer all the livestock and do a 100% change?

Then it's the aluminum"¦
This is not coming from my RODI water, so something in the tank must be causing it.
How much (if any) impact does this have on coral/fish?
Are there any test kits available for this?



RODI Water:

Tank Water:

Random 2 month old clip of tank:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5BInccoacA

 

[bif24701]

Check every single piece of equipment for exposed metals, corrosion. You don't have any metal items in your system do you? Like clamps, fittings,...... look everywhere and everything. Check fresh mix salt water if possible.

Get a Poly filter for those metals. Water changes are a must. I don't think you need a new RO/DI system, just replace filters. Test again after a few weeks or month.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Pife]

Make sure to get a chloramine carbon block filter.

 

[jda]

Don't rule out the salt for adding metals. Some salts have intermittent issues and some have metals all of the time.

 

[paal]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I will take apart all my equipment during this weekend's water change, trying to find that aluminum source.
(2x Vortech Mp40, 1x Vortech Vectra, 2x Fluval E series heaters, 1x Bubble King Double Cone 180)
I only have "pure pvc piping". No metal at all.

I guess new filters would have been enough, but I immediately ordered a new unit:
http://spectrapure.com/RO-RODI/RODI-SYSTEMS/MaxCap-Manual-Flush-180-GPD-RO-DI-System

Anyway, what do you think is the greatest source for the STN issues?
The thing leaking aluminum inside the tank (edit: possibly the salt(?)), or the copper and phosphorus getting through the RODI unit?

 

[jda]

You are going to need to figure out all of it. None of those will let you have any longterm success.

 

[mcgyvr]

Did you post the results here and I'm just missing it?

Are you just freaking out over the aluminum? Its VERY common for ICP testing from what I've seen to report metals,etc.... But little proof its causing any problems at the levels shown..

And yes as stated it could simply be in the salt mix..
but you said its not in your water but you ordered a totally new water filter system?

Please post the results again so we can see what the fuss is about..
Numerous ICP test results have been posted with certain elements in or above their "warning" levels and the tanks have no problems at all.. OR no reports of issues from those that had the test done for giggles or whatever....

 

[paal]

Pictures from RC should be visible in original post(?)

The main reason for the new RODI unit was the Cu (2.48 micro gram / liter in RODI sample / 11.3 in tank, and P(4.55 / 25,4)

 

[mcgyvr]

yes they show up now.. were not before for whatever reason..

 

[mcgyvr]

But no test on freshly mixed saltwater?

From what I've seen levels of aluminum like that are fairly common..
You running any phosphate binders/phosguard? marinepure blocks?

You are right at the minimum reported toxicity levels for the copper so that "may" be an issue..

I'm kind of skeptical of the current offerings/accuracy of ICP-OES testing being offered to the saltwater hobby though..