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favorite ICP company

What's your favorite ICP company?

  • Triton Lab

    Votes: 3 60.0%
  • ATI

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Fauna Marin ICP

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • ICP-Analysis.com (Modern Reef)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • MarinLab

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Royal Nature ICP

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Reef Moonshiners (ICP Testing USA)

    Votes: 1 20.0%

  • Total voters
    5

L/B Block

Supporting Member
Up to now I have been using ATI as my source of ICP testing. I have one test left so I am contemplating to another company. Be interested in what others use (and why in comments below) or have used and not happy with-
I have included a bunch of companies. Some unknown (to me)
 
I use Triton because I have a history of data with them, you can get 3 or 4 packs at a discount, the response time is pretty good, the way they present the data is good, and the website is fast and easy to navigate.

The FM doesn't include a shipping label which is so ridiculous and an absolute deal-breaker for me. No real feedback on any of the others so I'm sure there are plenty of good options.
 
I use Triton because I have a history of data with them, you can get 3 or 4 packs at a discount, the response time is pretty good, the way they present the data is good, and the website is fast and easy to navigate.

The FM doesn't include a shipping label which is so ridiculous and an absolute deal-breaker for me. No real feedback on any of the others so I'm sure there are plenty of good options.

One of those small things (shipping labels) that can make/break things.
Good to know about triton though.
 
i've only used triton and ati, so i cant speak for the other companies. i ended up ati as my go to source since they test elements that i look for. im running a carx with no water changes and dose red sea abcd trace elements.
 
i've only used triton and ati, so i cant speak for the other companies. i ended up ati as my go to source since they test elements that i look for. im running a carx with no water changes and dose red sea abcd trace elements.

I am considering turning off my auto water change (so I can use a CaRx instead - with the RODI lines I have installed to the tank from the garage) so I am curious how this is working out for you. Are you really off water changes completely or just very rarely?
 
I don't bother with water change at all. I'm on moonshiners. I adjust based on ICP-MS test from moonshiners. I find that water changes radically changes the trace elements levels in the tank (water change does not properly replinish the trace elements.). Without water changes, I know the consumption rates of bromine, flouride, strontium, etc. After 6 months. to a year you'll have a good idea on your trace element consumption and you can daily does and reduce your ICP-MS testing to twice a year.
 
I am considering turning off my auto water change (so I can use a CaRx instead - with the RODI lines I have installed to the tank from the garage) so I am curious how this is working out for you. Are you really off water changes completely or just very rarely?
honestly, i can not say until another few more weeks. my last wc was 22020. since my upgrade, i havent added any sps and let the tank stabilize it self. i have a few banks who is willing to throw in some tester sps, but i wanted t o wait until i can comfortable enough to start housing sps again. they want to unload my high ends back to me, but i just gotta make sure i am ready for it.
 
honestly, i can not say until another few more weeks. since my upgrade, i havent added any sps and let the tank stabilize it self. i have a few banks who is willing to throw in some tester sps, but i wanted t o wait until i can comfortable enough to start housing sps again. they want to unload my high ends back to me, but i just gotta make sure i am ready for it.

Just send them my way if they're bored with the acros! ;)
 
These are my opinions on my favorite topic and are not meant to trigger anyone.

There are really only two that matter in terms of scale (global). Triton and FM.

Triton is much more convenient for us in the US. I do not like their reporting and recommended actions, but more importantly, I do not trust them as much as FM. But this is preference. They were the first to do ICP on a commercial scale, and should be able to get decent results.

FM has shipping labels but not pre paid postage. Also, their shipping labels are printed to Coralvue but not to Los Angeles, which means we need to print out our own or wait an additional day for the results. The reason is that they have three drop off points which forward the tests to Germany, and depending on where you live, east coast makes more sense than west coast or Louisiana. The reason I am going through the hassle of printing the label and wait 7-8 days for my results is that I trust them trying to deliver the most accurate results. I also think they have the superior supplementation system (cost, flexibility, simplicity) and the reporting connects very well with the adjustments needed, and their knowledge database is very insightful. And they have a coral farm where they can test out their recommendations and continuously make improvements. However, they are not without flaws. Their support is not great unless Claude responds personally - which he does sometimes. Their ICP consultant model is a great idea, Reef Bum is one of them, but the ones I tried were not always that helpful. Lastly, there are continuously shortage with their product availability in the US which is painful.
 
These are my opinions on my favorite topic and are not meant to trigger anyone.

There are really only two that matter in terms of scale (global). Triton and FM.

Triton is much more convenient for us in the US. I do not like their reporting and recommended actions, but more importantly, I do not trust them as much as FM. But this is preference. They were the first to do ICP on a commercial scale, and should be able to get decent results.

FM has shipping labels but not pre paid postage. Also, their shipping labels are printed to Coralvue but not to Los Angeles, which means we need to print out our own or wait an additional day for the results. The reason is that they have three drop off points which forward the tests to Germany, and depending on where you live, east coast makes more sense than west coast or Louisiana. The reason I am going through the hassle of printing the label and wait 7-8 days for my results is that I trust them trying to deliver the most accurate results. I also think they have the superior supplementation system (cost, flexibility, simplicity) and the reporting connects very well with the adjustments needed, and their knowledge database is very insightful. And they have a coral farm where they can test out their recommendations and continuously make improvements. However, they are not without flaws. Their support is not great unless Claude responds personally - which he does sometimes. Their ICP consultant model is a great idea, Reef Bum is one of them, but the ones I tried were not always that helpful. Lastly, there are continuously shortage with their product availability in the US which is painful.


Thanks for your input on this.
 
Triton, because they are the most established and most trustworthy in my opinion and experience. 100% of the value of ICP results is based on how much you trust them since there’s no practical way to verify them. And if you don’t really trust them, they aren’t actionable. I’ve used Triton for years and they haven’t let me down. One time recently one of the values seemed off to me, and they had already re-run the sample and updated the results before I even had a chance to reach out and ask about it. I wouldn’t expect the bargain ICP test companies to do that.

FM is probably good since other people like them, but I personally am biased against them. I could be completely off base about it, but everything I’ve heard them say in writing and in videos gives me serious snake-oil-salesman vibes. Their attitude seems anti-scientific, which is the quickest way to lose my trust.
 
Triton, because they are the most established and most trustworthy in my opinion and experience. 100% of the value of ICP results is based on how much you trust them since there’s no practical way to verify them. And if you don’t really trust them, they aren’t actionable. I’ve used Triton for years and they haven’t let me down. One time recently one of the values seemed off to me, and they had already re-run the sample and updated the results before I even had a chance to reach out and ask about it. I wouldn’t expect the bargain ICP test companies to do that.

FM is probably good since other people like them, but I personally am biased against them. I could be completely off base about it, but everything I’ve heard them say in writing and in videos gives me serious snake-oil-salesman vibes. Their attitude seems anti-scientific, which is the quickest way to lose my trust.
Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!
 
I've used ATI many times, FM most recently and a couple others like (now defunct) ICP Analysis. Going to try Triton as the results are supposed to come quite a bit quick (i'm told) other ATI has majority of my history and the site is/was easy to navigate. I did get still get my results quicker with ATI than FM. I plan (for one of my tanks) to send in samples from same moment in time to 2 ICPs to compare - that is the plan with my June testing.
 
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