silica source

tlc · 04/23/2018, 01:05 PM

i got back my icp report. silica was very high. what could possibly be the source ? bare bottom tank, no sand in the system. i do use some silicone tubing and siporax in the sump for filtration. tank has been set up for a year now. salifert test kit confirms high silicates from icp test kit. rodi water shows 0. i started using some phosguard to help lower si and seems to be helping i just dont want to bottom out po4.

mcgyvr · 04/23/2018, 01:15 PM

Did you also test freshly mixed saltwater?
What other chemicals are you using in the tank?
What level was reported?
Is this your first ICP test?
and of course..
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

tlc · 04/23/2018, 01:55 PM

icp analysis showed 32.48 ppm. this is my first icp test. the only chemicals i use in the tank is esv 2 part for alk and ca. i havent done a water change in 6 months ( lets not get into that debate). i have read some reports of other tanks using siporax having elevated levels of si

mcgyvr · 04/23/2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc

icp analysis showed 32.48 ppm. this is my first icp test. the only chemicals i use in the tank is esv 2 part for alk and ca. i havent done a water change in 6 months ( lets not get into that debate). i have read some reports of other tanks using siporax having elevated levels of si

No debate here.. Shh.. Don't tell my corals because they are doing great but I haven't done a water change in around a year now on my current tank..

From what I've read its entirely possible its the siporax..

bertoni · 04/23/2018, 10:25 PM

If the tank has very new silica sand, that might do it. Other than that, the salt mix is the most likely candidate. I'd measure some freshly-mixed saltwater.

Silicate is fine to have in the tank. It might encourage a bit more diatom and sponge growth, but that's usually all that might happen.

04/23/2018, 01:05 PM	#1
tlc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 918	silica source i got back my icp report. silica was very high. what could possibly be the source ? bare bottom tank, no sand in the system. i do use some silicone tubing and siporax in the sump for filtration. tank has been set up for a year now. salifert test kit confirms high silicates from icp test kit. rodi water shows 0. i started using some phosguard to help lower si and seems to be helping i just dont want to bottom out po4.

04/23/2018, 01:15 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Did you also test freshly mixed saltwater? What other chemicals are you using in the tank? What level was reported? Is this your first ICP test? and of course.. https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1 __________________ Who me?

04/23/2018, 10:25 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If the tank has very new silica sand, that might do it. Other than that, the salt mix is the most likely candidate. I'd measure some freshly-mixed saltwater. Silicate is fine to have in the tank. It might encourage a bit more diatom and sponge growth, but that's usually all that might happen. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

04/23/2018, 01:55 PM	#3
tlc Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 918	icp analysis showed 32.48 ppm. this is my first icp test. the only chemicals i use in the tank is esv 2 part for alk and ca. i havent done a water change in 6 months ( lets not get into that debate). i have read some reports of other tanks using siporax having elevated levels of si