Salifert Calcium directions

[saltyweeds]

I have used this product 4x now and I'm now exactly sure if I am doing this correctly. The last part calls for you to drip the reagent into the mixed solution until it turns clear blue. My question is do you swirl the solution so that it mixes evenly or swirl lightly so that you still have some sediment on the bottom of the container. I usually swirl lightly b/c which leaves me with a pink bottom and blue top. From there I take my readings which gives me a low calcium reading. The directions states do not shake solution which made me think that it shouldn't be swirled hard.

 

[pecan2phat]

Hold the vial with your right hand and the syringe with your left. Use very light pressure on the syringe plunger so that you get only one drip that falls into the vial and swirl the vial gently. Results are sometimes more accurate if you drop, swirl, drop swirl vs a constant drip.

 

[saltyweeds]

That part I got. It's the part of whether or not the solution and reagent should be evenly mixed. Pecan does your final results come to a one solid color solution or is it 2 color like mine. I usually stop the drip as soon as it turns a light blue but it still pink on the bottom half.

 

[Deanos]

That part I got. It's the part of whether or not the solution and reagent should be evenly mixed. Pecan does your final results come to a one solid color solution or is it 2 color like mine. I usually stop the drip as soon as it turns a light blue but it still pink on the bottom half.

Definitely evenly mixed (which can be done without shaking). The solution should be uniformly light blue.

 

[pecan2phat]

Hey salty,
If your referring to this:
Add 2ml of tank water into vial
Add 1 level scoop of reagent powder to vial
Add 8 drops of (the white capped bottle) solution to the vial

This is the part where they don't tell you to swirl the vial and mix the above before you start dripping in the 2nd reagent, so yes swirl the vial for about 20 seconds.

When I start dripping in the 2nd reagent (1 drop at a time while swirling), I usually stop when the color pink turns dark purple and then continue with only one or two more drops and the color will turn blue.

 

[saltyweeds]

Aye that's the one. Yea, I think my problem was not swirling evenly enough. Thanks for the advice fellas.