Icp water tests (1 Viewer)

[mitchell77546]

So it looks like some folks are not convinced of icp tests and their usefulness. I think it’s a pretty useful tool that has been used to bring a greater understanding of reef water chemistry resulting in some really nice tanks and an increased accessibility to normal people that would have left the hobby after a failed tank. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s another tool in the toolbox. I, for my part, will stick with the Oceamo tests for now.

That's not the response exactly. I think if you are not doing water changer and you want to control your reef chemistry, ICP testing is important. Is every parameter present a factor and indicative of the growth and health of the coral? No, just because you can test for something doesn't mean it's a factor. Chromatography is a useful tool, however it's purpose was not derived to meet our needs. If i tell you I've NEVER dosed florides into my tank in three years yet it can be tested for and is proclaimed to be integral component in the success of my reef and the program I'm using... You get the idea. Some people like Ferrari.... I'll keep driving my ford Fiesta. I get from point A to Point B and It's within my poor mans budget.

 

[mitchell77546]

I like this quote from the original article you posted.

Clearly, this demonstrates the variability with the current generations of ICP and the challenges with using the results to agonize over making changes based on these results. According to four of the five tests, the Iodine values are very high (and they still have a big spread), and according to one, they are in the acceptable range.
Overall, I still feel that the ICP results are still useful since they provide additional data and another tool that has the potential to be useful in improving the health of the aquarium. Don’t take the numbers as absolutes, evaluate trends, review values that stick out of typical norms, and don’t panic if the trace element numbers are being reported as out of line. The science on what levels are dangerous to coral health is still not established and there is no direct correlation to these values actually being beneficial or harmful.

 

[decimal]

what article? oh right this was a post about the effective resolution accuracy and pricing of various ICP tests..

 

[Reefahholic]

I think part of the challenge is that while we did have some pretty amazing systems/tanks even 20 years ago, it required discipline and a lot of work to stick to a strict regiment of water changes and so on. Now it can be done just by adding a few drop of this and a few drops of that. Some of that can automated so it really puts a super tank into reach for a lot of folks that would normally fail or at least be less successful.



Well, you don’t really just share information do you? The main theme to your “sharing” is that your ways and methods are superior to everyone else. That may or may not correct but setting it up so there will be a winner and a loser (mine grows faster/better than yours) is not sharing information. It’s antagonistic a little offensive and calling it “sharing” is misleading. That all has very little to do with corals of course. The pics you posted are undeniably amazing. It just seems that the subject of the conversations becomes irrelevant due to incendiary comments and flaming people. Just my opinion of course so..

We all have opinions.

 

[Reefahholic]

Exactly my point

You should stop the Shine today and mail me your elements.

 

[Reefahholic]

So it looks like some folks are not convinced of icp tests and their usefulness. I think it’s a pretty useful tool that has been used to bring a greater understanding of reef water chemistry resulting in some really nice tanks and an increased accessibility to normal people that would have left the hobby after a failed tank. Not saying it’s easy, but it’s another tool in the toolbox. I, for my part, will stick with the Oceamo tests for now.

Smart move

 

[Reefahholic]

and don’t panic if the trace element numbers are being reported as out of line.

That is pretty funny. Don’t fret if elements like Fe, Mn, Co, Cr, Cu, V, Zn, Ni, Se….are depleted or sky high. It’s not important for countless biochemical pathways and molecular processes where trace metals are required for fundamental cell function and cellular responses to physiological stress. Can’t really be that harmful right??

It’s good…don’t worry…you’ll be fine. Not my reef….by all means go right ahead.

 

[Reefahholic]

Don’t sleep on OCEAMO….Christopher is very good at what he does.

 

[Reefahholic]

For those that look at ICP as a tool, this may be beneficial to you.