Water Quality

[djnzlab1]

HI,
I read a couple articles that address trace metals and other nasties found in synthetic saltwater mixes, Some of the sources have toxic levels of Alumn, and borate even copper.
Is there a way to reduce some of the heavy metals according to the article many are lower before we change the water and if your salt mix is one of the less desirable one it will add more heavy metals that can stun or kill many invert lavara like sea urchin and that can't be good for other critters long term.
Doug

[coral reefer]

I wouldn't be too concerned about those trace elements as they probably are in such minute amounts that the point is probably mute IMO!
I have many inverts in my tank, like Urchins and various Shrimp and crabs with no problems to speak of for a long time now!
If anything, I would be more concerned about keeping your water parameters up to speed and consistent along with your water temp and salinity!
Your salt may be responsible for adding phosphates to your water but really taht is the extent of it unless, you make a large amount of saltwater to store for future water changes and don't have it stored properly and airtight! The water will pick up contaminants from the ambiant surroundings, so that is a concern!

[djnzlab1]

HI,
Here's the article, the part I din't care for was the difference in contamination in many of the synthetic salt mixes we pay good money for and the way it can accumilate in the water , if you change the water you just add more , and
many metals are difficult to remove with simple skimming why don't the make a bag material that helps dei-ionize or remove the more common things like copper, aluminum, and other heavy metal salts. As our tanks age they can accumilate quite a large amount of some of this material..

What We Put In The Water by Ronald L. Shimek, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

Ok you water experts .
Doug