ICP Test Upload
Upload your ICP lab report PDF and ReefTanker will automatically extract 60+ elements using AI-powered parsing. No manual data entry required.
What is ICP Testing?
ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) testing is a laboratory analysis that measures the concentration of dozens of elements in your tank water. Unlike home test kits that measure one parameter at a time, a single ICP test gives you a comprehensive snapshot of your water chemistry — including trace elements and pollutants you can't test for at home.
Why use ICP testing?
- Detect trace element imbalances — things like elevated copper, low iodine, or high aluminum that home kits can't measure
- Verify your test kit accuracy — compare lab-grade Ca/Alk/Mg results against your home tests
- Catch pollutants early — identify heavy metals and contaminants before they cause visible problems
- Track trends over time — compare ICP results across months to spot long-term changes
Uploading a Lab Report
When your lab emails you a PDF report, here's how to get it into ReefTanker.
Steps
- 1 Go to the ICP Tests page from the sidebar, or click Quick Actions and select Log ICP Test
- 2 Click Upload PDF Lab Report
- 3 Select your lab's PDF file — ReefTanker's AI parser will process it and auto-fill all detected element values
- 4 Review the auto-filled data — verify the values and dates look correct. You can edit any field before saving.
- 5 Click Save — the test appears on your ICP Tests page and relevant values (Ca, Alk, Mg, etc.) also feed into your Dashboard charts
Tip: You don't need the PDF to use this feature. You can also enter ICP values manually by filling in the form fields directly — useful if you receive results in a non-PDF format or want to enter data from an older test.
Supported Labs
ReefTanker's AI parser is designed to work with PDF reports from any ICP lab. It has been tested with:
Other labs' PDFs will also work as long as they contain standard element readings. The AI parser extracts values regardless of report layout. If a PDF doesn't parse correctly, you can always enter values manually.
Understanding the Date Fields
ICP tests track up to three dates, each serving a different purpose. The parser will extract all three automatically from most lab reports.
Created Date Used for charts
When you took the water sample. This is the date used on all charts and timelines — it represents when your water was actually at these levels.
Arrived in Lab Optional
When the sample reached the lab. Informational only — useful for tracking turnaround times.
Evaluated Date Optional
When the lab processed and evaluated your sample. Informational only.
Elements Tracked
ReefTanker stores up to 60+ elements from your ICP report, organized into five categories. Each element is color-coded when you view results: green for in range, yellow for below target, and red for above target.
Base Elements
Major Elements
mg/lMinor Elements
µg/lNutrients
mg/lPollutants
µg/lHow ICP Data Integrates with Your Dashboard
ICP test results don't live in isolation — they feed directly into the rest of ReefTanker.
Shared parameters
Six parameters overlap between ICP tests and manual readings. ReefTanker merges them into a single unified chart so you can compare lab results against your home test kits:
Dashboard fallback
If you haven't logged a manual reading for a parameter, the Dashboard will automatically pull the latest value from your most recent ICP test. So even if you only do ICP testing, your Dashboard still shows current values for Calcium, Alkalinity, Magnesium, Salinity, Nitrate, and Phosphate.
Source filtering on charts
When viewing a shared parameter on the Dashboard or Parameters page, you can toggle ICP data on or off using the source filter checkboxes. This lets you isolate just your home test kit results or compare them side by side with lab values.
Viewing & Managing ICP Tests
All your uploaded ICP tests are listed on the ICP Tests page, sorted by date with the most recent first.
Each test card shows
- Lab name and all three dates (Created, Arrived, Evaluated)
- Expandable results — click any test to expand and see all element values, grouped by category
- Color-coded values — each element shows whether it's within the recommended range
- Target ranges displayed below each value so you can see exactly where you stand
Deleting: You can delete an ICP test by expanding it and clicking Delete Test. This permanently removes the test and all its data. The deletion cannot be undone.