Testing for metals in water

[fishkeeprian]

Hello,

Is there a way of detecting metals in the water without sending off for an ICP test?

Thanks

 

[nereefpat]

Poly filter absorbs metals, and changes color as it does it. You may not be able to tell anything too specific, but you'll know if there is excess metals in the water.

 

[mcgyvr]

Sure....what metals are you concerned about?

 

[themagicman]

Are you having any problems? (define) New tank, old tank? When you say "metals," I just think of that "monitor" in the junk drawer. (TDS?)

 

[fishkeeprian]

I've had a few SPS issues mainly, I've had a blue Digi that was doing fantastic start to encrust over rock, full poly extension, great colour, but then over a course of a few weeks, the poly extension was very little, white abrasions started to appear on the body. I've had a setosa frag I 've had for a while be up and down, looks as tho it's stripping, recoup, then strip again, and then finally stripped and never recovered. Birdnest starting to strip at the core.

I put it down to my bi-colour blenny going rouge on be and taking a liking to my sps. I've seen him nipping around the bases, but just wanted to check out other things before I remove him from the tank.

I did a round of tests last night;

Alk - 7.7
Cal - 465
Mag - 1410
Nitrate - 10ppm
Phos - 0.031
Salinity 1.028
Temp - 25.9 - 26.2 degrees

The tank is pretty stable at those figures other than the phosphates which fluctuate at little up and down.

Not changed lighting or intensity, I produce my own RO which is reading Zero on the inline TDS metre.

I know salinity is a little high and I am going to adjust this down to 1.026.

I can't put down what is happening to the parametres, so just want to check if there is anything that could be present in the water which isn't obvious, also I've checked my equipment and there are no signs of rust. My hinges are a little rusty on the cabinet, could this be contaminating the water?

Any advice welcome.

 

[mcgyvr]

My hinges are a little rusty on the cabinet, could this be contaminating the water?

Not likely..

Get a polyfilter if you are concerned about metals.. See if you get a color change..

 

[fishkeeprian]

Not likely..

Get a polyfilter if you are concerned about metals.. See if you get a color change..

What colour will it change to if there are metals present?

 

[mcgyvr]

What colour will it change to if there are metals present?

https://www.poly-bio-marine.com/faq.htm

 

[fishkeeprian]

Not likely..

Get a polyfilter if you are concerned about metals.. See if you get a color change..

Thanks for the link.

Because it absorbs other elements like nitrates and phosphates I assume this will encourage a colour change, how do I know if it is changing colour because of metals rather than nutrients in the water?

 

[mcgyvr]

Thanks for the link.

Because it absorbs other elements like nitrates and phosphates I assume this will encourage a colour change, how do I know if it is changing colour because of metals rather than nutrients in the water?

My fault.. I thought their FAQ would discuss the different color changes that occur based on contaminates in the water..

Here it is from another site..
Poly-Filter turns color when removing medications.
Aqua to Dark Blue: Copper or Copper salts.
Orange: Iron.
Bright Red: Aluminum.
Bright Yellow: Ammonia, Amines or Solvents.

And of course thats only a few metals which is why I requested info on what specific metal you think you are having a problem with..
As you are just taking shots in the dark then an ICP type test would really be your best bang for the buck.. Its still a shot in the dark though.. More often than not coral issues when all the typical parameters seem "ok" is go unsolved..

 

[fishkeeprian]

My fault.. I thought their FAQ would discuss the different color changes that occur based on contaminates in the water..

Here it is from another site..
Poly-Filter turns color when removing medications.
Aqua to Dark Blue: Copper or Copper salts.
Orange: Iron.
Bright Red: Aluminum.
Bright Yellow: Ammonia, Amines or Solvents.

And of course thats only a few metals which is why I requested info on what specific metal you think you are having a problem with..
As you are just taking shots in the dark then an ICP type test would really be your best bang for the buck.. Its still a shot in the dark though.. More often than not coral issues when all the typical parameters seem "ok" is go unsolved..

I will see if the poly filter draws up any problems I may go for an ICP test if this draws a blank.

It could still be my blenny that is the issue, the problems have occurred since putting him in the tank, but other than picking around the base I've not seen him directly picking at them.

I suppose it could even be a pest but there is nothing obvious I have noticed, but my longer polyp sps seem unaffected like my stylo, poclipora.