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.

 

Ha Ha. thats funny. You should buy a good tester like API or Salifert.

 

Man that Ca test kit sound awful. I use Salifert now but when it is done I will be switching over to Elos because they have a easy test. I have lately used Kents Turbo Ca and with 1 cup I can raise 310g 50ppm so if I was you I would switch the additives you are using.

 

I should mention, it's the Hagen Nutrafin test kit. Thanks for the advice, Otty. I think it may have been the Magnesium levels. Like I said, the Ca. test kit has never been so light on the second addition. I won't know until tomorrow.

If the magnesium wasn't the culprit, I will definitely try another additive. I've already got my eyes on Bulk Reef Supply's 2 part solution.

 

just got athe API calcium test myself and am happy with it for the price, its at 480 I'm geussing thats great, since it says 400-500 with the kit, and alot of people on here seem the have around 450

 

do not use epson salts to increase magnesium.it is slightly different and will cause your sand to turn black and put off gasses and stuff.long story short,use something like b-ionic magnesium that does not contain organics or chelating agants.you are on the right track though.i struggled to keep alkalinity up every day till i raised magnesium,then it went up and calcium came down.mag,alk,and calcium all have to balance.this is something i'm finally getting fixed.my calcium kit is way easy.you add 10 drops,then add 2nd solution till its purple and your done.its by pharmaceuticals,inc. and has been very accurate for me and was $8.my other kits are salivert and very expensive but i can't find other brands locally.

 

Which do you like better of the two, Luna?

 

I use the 2 Part solution bulk Mg they have for sale and it does great. I'm getting my Ca off Tangster by the 30lb bag instead of buying Kents Turbo Ca. Trying to save some money for my new skimmer .......

 

salifert Ca test kit works good for me, and its easy since i wear my nametag upside down in order to spell me name

 

Well I bought the Salifert test today. It was $26 bucks at my LFS. That's kinda steep, but a number of you have mentioned it by name. I'd rather have something good than something cheap.

It measured 370 ppm. I did the test twice to make sure I didin't bungle up any steps. I'm going to order Bulk Reef Supply's Ca/Alk additive and go from there.