Help with ICP-OES Analysis- Here are my results

[joejvj]

Looking for some help in analyzing the results of my tank and RO water using ATI's ICP-OES testing.

Most elements are close to normal except very high silicone, both in my tank and RO water. Note that I don't have any visible diatoms in my tank and never a brown film on the glass. I'm wondering if ATI screwed up the test on this one, or do I have problem that needs to be corrected like maybe an additional anion resin bed.

A few other issues like low iodine and high potassium. Looking for comments from folks with good chemistry knowledge. Thanks.

http://www.joejaworski.com/Tank_Analysis.pdf

http://www.joejaworski.com/RO_Analysis.pdf

 

[bertoni]

I'm not sure why the silicon might be high. It might be a salt mix issue, or the testing might be in error. Silicon can encourage diatom and dinoflagellate growth, but you're not having a problem there. Silicate can make it though RO/DI, but I'd check the output with a test kit before making any assumptions or spending much money. Maybe someone local has a kit? That measurement is in the low ppm range.

 

[joejvj]

Pretty sure the silicon is coming in through my RO/DI, as it shows 5 ppm and the tank reads 2.4 ppm. I'm not sure silicon is the same as silicates.

 

[bertoni]

Silicon is an element (Si), and is a part of silicate, which is mostly SiO₄^-- in our case, I think. You might need a silica buster cartridge if you want to reduce the silicon level in the tank. The level you reported is rather high. I don't know that it would cause problems, though.