Salifert Calcium Profi Test Kit

[dylanjs]

I just sprung for a Salifert test kit and the results are making me freak out!

I measured Calcium at 0 ppm. ZERO!

Suggestions? Reasons??

 

[Deanos]

Follow the directions to the letter. You must be testing RO/DI water to get a zero reading.

 

[dylanjs]

I followed the directions exactly!

 

[Deanos]

What's the expiration date on top of the Salifert box?

 

[dylanjs]

Expiry is 10/2011

 

[nanoreefer22]

Try again, cause somethings definately wrong with the way you're doing it.

 

[dylanjs]

I've done it twice and the same thing happened. There is no color change at all. It just stays pink.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

that means ur calcium is high ... i think the highest reading you can get from one full syringe is 500 ppm which is level 0 on the syringe..

 

[Mr.Blik]

I agree with Scoots...as you add drops of the solution from the syringe you move up the Ca scale...if you are pouring the whole syringe into your test tube with no color change your Ca reading is too high, not zero.

Also just for sh&% and giggles are you swirling the test tube after each drop, I believe this is an important step as it help to aggitate the sample and drive the reaction.

Just my 2 cents.....

Blik

 

[dylanjs]

Interesting....too high for the test...could be. I am actively trying to raise the alkalinity with 2 part B-Ionic Ca Buffer.

Blik, I am definitely swirling. I just finished a year of chemistry and titrations, so I know all about the importance of swirling. :wink1:

 

[Deanos]

What salt are you using? What is your tested alkalinity level?

 

[dylanjs]

I am using Tropic Marin salt and the Alk is at 3.8 dkh (and rising, hopefully, 'cause I've been adding b-ionic).

 

[prattreef]

Something is seriously off if your Calcium is over 500 and your Alk is only 3.8dkh. Even the worst salt mixes shouldn't yield this result.... and Tropic Marin is far from the worst. To raise your Alk, I assume you are only adding part 1 of the B-Ionic. Adding both parts at this point is counterproductive and you will quickly start precipitating calcium from solution.

since you were misinterpreting the Ca. test results, could you be doing the same for the Alk?

 

[dylanjs]

Yes, I am only using part 1. However, I am not misinterpreting the result of the Ca test. It is either pink or blue. When I run the test it stays pink.

 

[Deanos]

Staying pink means the calcium level hasn't yet been reached via titration. It doesn't mean the level is 0. I think that's what Randy (prattreef) was referring to when he said "misinterpreting".

 

[prattreef]

Dean is correct. If the solution hasn't turned color and the syringe is empty your CA level is above 500 ( the 1st line of the table-0ml= 500ppm) Similarly, an alkalinity reading of 3.8 dKH would leave the syringe full of .76 ml when the final reaction occurred ( blue turns pink). Is this the case? RD

 

[dylanjs]

That's the case with the dKH.

I don't have the table in front of me for the Ca, but I thought the conc. decreased as more solution from the syringe was used. But if you say so I believe that the conc. is >500.

 

[prattreef]

if that is the case it is very strange. I've never encountered such a huge disparity particularly in a new system. I'd mix up a small fresh batch of salt, let it sit over night and test it. The 2 most likely culprits are a bad batch of salt or a bad Alk. kit.

 

[Mr.Blik]

If I am not mistaken you move up the scale on both tests as syringe empties. I agree with Deanos and Randy. Perhaps you an try the more sensitive test scenario. I believe the test kits suggests you do this my cutting the sample water in half. Perhaps that can give you a more approptiate reading. (not sure if that will work)

Now on the point with dosing b-ionic (which is what I believe you mentioned you are dosing with) are you adding both parts or only one. Is it wise to dose with one and not the other, is there a relationship between the 2 parts that could be causing these readings. (EXPERTS please chime in, I have no answers. Just posting quesions to help out.)

Blik

 

[dylanjs]

I was dosing with both originally until I got a good Ca reading with a Red Sea (**gasp**) test kit.

Once that happened, I started dosing only with Part 1 of b-ionic. I also got better test kits.

Blik, I understand the scale now.

Prattreef, I will check some new salt water.