interpreting Triton test results

[bbaz123456]

So I just got this back and I am not really sure exactly what I am looking at. I know my nitrates and phosphates are extremely high and that was my reasoning for getting the test. My main display is approx 1500 gallons and I have an additional 700 gallon fuge that has been very efficient on keeping the nutrients down until recently, so I am in search of the missing element(s) of why the macros are not growing.
Being a novice chemist, the detectable levels of Cu did pop out at me. Is 3.81 ug/l a high enough level to cause alarm? And what could be the source? Could macros release copper if the died? I understand there is trace amounts in salt mixes and other additives, I'm just not sure what a "safe" trace amount is. Over the past year I have lost the majority of my sps corals but I am worried about my stingrays and sharks in the main display.
Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[bertoni]

What supplements are going into the tank? The phosphate level, if accurate, is very high, and could cause problems for corals. The other numbers likely are safe enough, although I'm not sure why the iodine level is so high, and that might be an issue.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I agree there are several issues.

Salinity looks low.

Iron is high. Are you dosing it?

 

[bbaz123456]

I dose b-ionic at a very low rate manually, maybe a cup every 2-3 weeks. Phosphates are very high, that is why I got the test. I have always been able to maintain with macro algae harvest until recently. I used to harvest over a pound per week and have not taken any out in a few months with very little growth, but steadily rising nutrients. I have been dosing Kents iron supplement on an "as needed basis". Much lower than recommended dose. It recommends 5 ml per 50 gal once a week I believe and I have had the bottle (64 oz maybe) for over a year and it is still half full.

 

[bbaz123456]

Salinity is showing up as 1.024 on my refractometer. My hydrometer says 1.021 but it has always been about 4 points off. Is this saying that is wrong?

 

[bertoni]

How was the refractometer calibrated? The canonical ocean average SG is about 1.0264, so that might account for some of the difference.

 

[bbaz123456]

I calibrate it to zero with RO water every time I use it

 

[bbaz123456]

Higher levels of Ca and Mg would show up as higher salinity...Correct?

 

[bertoni]

Calibration with distilled water can be very inaccurate:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

I'd get a saltwater standard like the PinPoint 53 mS/cm² product, and see how that measures.

 

[doctorwhoreefer]

What salt brand are you using also?

 

[bbaz123456]

Calibration with distilled water can be very inaccurate:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-12/rhf/index.php

I'd get a saltwater standard like the PinPoint 53 mS/cm² product, and see how that measures.

Thank you! I will pick some up tomorrow.
Great info as with all of Randy's articles. I think my IQ rises 1.026 every time I read one

 

[bbaz123456]

What salt brand are you using also?

75% Instant ocean
25% Reef crystals

 

[bbaz123456]

Also, would potassium chloride(water softener salt substitute), be ok to raise K levels up?

 

[bbaz123456]

It appears to be what I should use. I found a calculator that says to use 88 ounces. I will start dosing that slowly over the next week or two. Guessing that could be my limiting nutrient for the macros?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Higher levels of Ca and Mg would show up as higher salinity...Correct?

No, since it is dominated by sodium, chloride, and sulfate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Also, would potassium chloride(water softener salt substitute), be ok to raise K levels up?

Possibly. Depends on how pure it is.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I dose b-ionic at a very low rate manually, maybe a cup every 2-3 weeks. Phosphates are very high, that is why I got the test. I have always been able to maintain with macro algae harvest until recently. I used to harvest over a pound per week and have not taken any out in a few months with very little growth, but steadily rising nutrients. I have been dosing Kents iron supplement on an "as needed basis". Much lower than recommended dose. It recommends 5 ml per 50 gal once a week I believe and I have had the bottle (64 oz maybe) for over a year and it is still half full.

I might reduce the iron significantly. How did you decide what was "needed"?

 

[Eyore]

what is bionic?

while sodium is very low saying low salinity, sulphate is very high, especially once you increase by 20% or so

lithium, molybdenum, zinc and iodine are all massively over

i have not seen results like this in the uk

 

[doctorwhoreefer]

So far the big offenders for massive lithium numbers is US salts..

At least from what I've seen. There may have been one brand in Europe, but they very well could be sourcing it locally here. I can only imagine the cost of importing the weight of salt!

Though some might say there's not been any concrete discoveries to biological interactions with such elevated levels of lithium, it pretty much nullifies the "comparable to natural saltwater" argument.

 

[bertoni]

what is bionic?

B-Ionic is a commercial two-part alkalinity and calcium supplement. It works very well, in my experience, although the DIY is cheaper.