Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium.

ReefSparky · 02-06-2008, 08:36 PM

I've been testing for Ca since I decided to go reef Nov 1st. I could never get Ca into the 400s, and I decided to buy a 2-part solution. After adding it as the instructions say, Ca elevation was negligible. I was convinced it would be weeks before I saw an accumulation of Ca sufficient to show a real difference in testing. Since Nov 1st I have been testing for Ca with the same test kit. Since I purchased the 2 part solution, I've been testing almost daily with the same results.

I use a Ca testing kit with 3 fluids. First is 7 drops, then the second bottle is 3 drops. The 3rd bottle is the titration bottle, whose number of drops determines what the ppm of Ca is.

What's kinda puzzled me is that the manual for testing states that the addition of the 3 drops of reagent #2 will cause a pink tinge, and if it doesn't; the Ca was below 200ppm. Well, all this time the introduction of the second fluid caused a VERY dark pink. Since day one this has been the case and has never changed.

So two days ago, I bought a package of epsom salts to bring up my Magnesium values in the hopes that this would solve my inability to raise my Ca. Yesterday evening I added 1/3 cu. to my RO/DI topoff water; along with 10ml of part A solution for Ca, and tested. No change. This evening I added another 1/4 cu. of epsom salts and tested again.

For the first time since I began testing, the addition of the second bottle's reagent only caused a SLIGHT pinkish tinge instead of the expected DARK pink. I thought to myself, THIS IS IT! My calcium is getting to where it's supposed to be!!!

I opened the third bottle, and started counting my drops. After 3 drops air sputtered out of the bottle. I was out of #3 solution!!! It was like watching the Superbowl and having a power outage at the 2 min. warning! It was like ordering dessert and getting kicked out of the restaurant before it came!

It was like. . .like having to wait until tomorrow to buy another Ca. test kit!!!

I'll keep everyone posted.

goldenmean · 02-06-2008, 08:40 PM

Like a really good tv show with a poorly timed commercial.

CATALYST · 02-06-2008, 08:47 PM

Be safe...get Salifert.

blue_eyes53813 · 02-06-2008, 08:53 PM

oh man that stinks... Its like Waiting for Mr./Mrs right to call and all you get is Bill collectors... MAN I HATE THAT...

zy112 · 02-06-2008, 09:20 PM

I was also going to recommend Salifert. I have some unreliable ones in the past

02-06-2008, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
ReefSparky Bryozoan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 59 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium. I've been testing for Ca since I decided to go reef Nov 1st. I could never get Ca into the 400s, and I decided to buy a 2-part solution. After adding it as the instructions say, Ca elevation was negligible. I was convinced it would be weeks before I saw an accumulation of Ca sufficient to show a real difference in testing. Since Nov 1st I have been testing for Ca with the same test kit. Since I purchased the 2 part solution, I've been testing almost daily with the same results. I use a Ca testing kit with 3 fluids. First is 7 drops, then the second bottle is 3 drops. The 3rd bottle is the titration bottle, whose number of drops determines what the ppm of Ca is. What's kinda puzzled me is that the manual for testing states that the addition of the 3 drops of reagent #2 will cause a pink tinge, and if it doesn't; the Ca was below 200ppm. Well, all this time the introduction of the second fluid caused a VERY dark pink. Since day one this has been the case and has never changed. So two days ago, I bought a package of epsom salts to bring up my Magnesium values in the hopes that this would solve my inability to raise my Ca. Yesterday evening I added 1/3 cu. to my RO/DI topoff water; along with 10ml of part A solution for Ca, and tested. No change. This evening I added another 1/4 cu. of epsom salts and tested again. For the first time since I began testing, the addition of the second bottle's reagent only caused a SLIGHT pinkish tinge instead of the expected DARK pink. I thought to myself, THIS IS IT! My calcium is getting to where it's supposed to be!!! I opened the third bottle, and started counting my drops. After 3 drops air sputtered out of the bottle. I was out of #3 solution!!! It was like watching the Superbowl and having a power outage at the 2 min. warning! It was like ordering dessert and getting kicked out of the restaurant before it came! It was like. . .like having to wait until tomorrow to buy another Ca. test kit!!! I'll keep everyone posted. __________________ God is dead." --Nietzsche "Nietzsche is dead." --GOD

02-06-2008, 08:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,183 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium. Like a really good tv show with a poorly timed commercial. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My 2nd-QT-Wrasse My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

02-06-2008, 08:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
CATALYST Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 968 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium. Be safe...get Salifert.

02-06-2008, 08:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,590 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium. oh man that stinks... Its like Waiting for Mr./Mrs right to call and all you get is Bill collectors... MAN I HATE THAT... __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

02-06-2008, 09:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Just Goes To Show Ya. Testing For Calcium. I was also going to recommend Salifert. I have some unreliable ones in the past __________________ Zach

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