I recently received my test results from ICP-analysis and they identified excessive high level of Boron (10 times normal). I have no clue of the source. Looking at other post potential sources is Salt, dosing additives, maybe RO/DI water, or Frozen food. When I first got the result I questioned the accuracy of the results but based on the second test (with same results) I assume they are correct. I have to assume others have a similar issue and looking for anyone who identified the source and was able to correct. The common remedy is water changes. I do 10 percent per week already and after the first results did increase it for a while with no change. Thanks in advance
Very High Boron
- Thread starter adamsfour
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mcgyvr
New member
Did you test a fresh batch of saltwater?
Do you use a calcium reactor?
Alk supplements often contain it too.. Dosing alk?
Switch foods?
Besides removing the source which can be any of the above water changes are the only way to remove/reduce it assuming its not coming from your salt mix.
Do you use a calcium reactor?
Alk supplements often contain it too.. Dosing alk?
Switch foods?
Besides removing the source which can be any of the above water changes are the only way to remove/reduce it assuming its not coming from your salt mix.
Did you test a fresh batch of saltwater?
(adamsfour) No this is a good idea, the problem is there are very few Boron test available and they are fairly expensive. I am using instant ocean and would be hard to believe its that high
Do you use a calcium reactor?
(adamsfour) No I use liquid Calcium from Sea Chem
Alk supplements often contain it too.. Dosing alk?
(adamsfour). This was my thinking too. I am using Brightwell. It doesn't indicate anything on the label I know that doesn't mean it doesn't contain it.
Switch foods?
(adamsfour) I feed frozen brine shrimp. given the size of the cube I guess it could be a source but seems a bit of a stretch
I forgot to mention I also use Chem-pure, Phosguard, Nitrate removal. So I assume any of those can be a source.
Besides removing the source which can be any of the above water changes are the only way to remove/reduce it assuming its not coming from your salt mix.
(adamsfour) No this is a good idea, the problem is there are very few Boron test available and they are fairly expensive. I am using instant ocean and would be hard to believe its that high
Do you use a calcium reactor?
(adamsfour) No I use liquid Calcium from Sea Chem
Alk supplements often contain it too.. Dosing alk?
(adamsfour). This was my thinking too. I am using Brightwell. It doesn't indicate anything on the label I know that doesn't mean it doesn't contain it.
Switch foods?
(adamsfour) I feed frozen brine shrimp. given the size of the cube I guess it could be a source but seems a bit of a stretch
I forgot to mention I also use Chem-pure, Phosguard, Nitrate removal. So I assume any of those can be a source.
Besides removing the source which can be any of the above water changes are the only way to remove/reduce it assuming its not coming from your salt mix.
Some pH buffers, like SeaChem Marine Buffer, have a fair amount of boron in the form of borate, which will raise pH a bit. It's possible that the reading is in error, as well. Testing for boron is difficult. A 10% water change will lower the reading only by 10% in the very best case, and possibly not at all if the salt mix has excessive boron.
ydshim
New member
I also know that Borate is a one of the buffering agent and Borin is able to increas a pink & red color intensity of a some corals.
Do you experience any changes of your corals in high boron level?
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ydshim
New member
A salt mix can settle---I take some out of the drum and roll the drum across the floor and up and down to try to be sure it hasn't. And a mistake can happen at the 'manufacturer'. I had magnesium soar in my tank using Oceanic salt, and finally just switched brands and did some water changes with Instant Ocean, changing to Reef Crystals (higher calcium etc)
Other than salt virtually everything else is a Sea Chem product and I do not add PH buffer which I know is a source. I using Sea Chem Calcium, Reef Carbonate, Phosguard, X-nitrate, CupriSorb, Iodine, and Strontium. Besides that the only other item is Chemipure and Brightwell Magnesium. I add very little frozen food at a feeding but guess it possible but would be surprised
Out of those, the most likely sources, and I'm not say that they are very likely, would be the magnesium or alkalinity supplements. I might try dosing some baking soda for a while. Dosing the Reef Carbonate into some freshly-mixed water and testing for carbonate might be interesting, too, but I don't know how much to add to make a detectable difference. The description of Reef Carbonate says that it'll tend to raise the pH over time, which makes me think borate buffering, but there's not enough information to be sure.
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