Salifert CA testing...

dskrezyna

dskrezyna

Member
Im confused on step 6.
I used the 1/2 measurements (i.e. 1ml instead of 2ml in step 1 and 1/2 spoon in step 2)
The formula is:
ppm CA = (1 - Step #6 calculation) x 500
(If one took 1ml in step 1, multiply the calc values by 2)
ppm CA = (1 - .74) x 500 = 130 x 2 =260?
If it is 260, then I will begin doing B-Ionic 2 step calc/alk to get to 420ppm.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by dskrezyna
http:///forum/post/2980250
Im confused on step 6.
I used the 1/2 measurements (i.e. 1ml instead of 2ml in step 1 and 1/2 spoon in step 2)
The formula is:
ppm CA = (1 - Step #6 calculation) x 500
(If one took 1ml in step 1, multiply the calc values by 2)
ppm CA = (1 - .74) x 500 = 130 x 2 =260?
If it is 260, then I will begin doing B-Ionic 2 step calc/alk to get to 420ppm.
You dont need to dose both parts of B-ionic if one or the other is where it should be in the normal range.If alk is fine and cal is low then only use cal part,and visa versa.Just remember to keep an eye on both they will fluctuate.Another suggestion is to test for magnesium.Mag is the tie that binds the other two.Without proper mag you will have a hard time holding either alk and cal at higher levels.Once you find out what your dosing schedule is to maintain a stable environment your set until your start adding new additions that are starting to use more of the cal,alk,and mag.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Did you have .74 ml reageant left in your syringe when the color changed to blue, or did you use .74 ml of reagant leaving .26 ml in the syringe?
 
dskrezyna

dskrezyna

Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
http:///forum/post/2980549
Did you have .74 ml reageant left in your syringe when the color changed to blue, or did you use .74 ml of reagant leaving .26 ml in the syringe?
.74 was left in the tube after the drops.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Then it sounds like you did the calculation correctly. Do you know what your alk level is running at? You may only need to raise the calcium level and dosing both parts of a two part will raise both.
Also what kind of salt are you running? If the low calcium levels are being caused by low levels of calcium in the salt mix that you are using then switching to a quality "reef" salt may help in keeping calcium and alkalinity levels in check without having to dose so much.
 
dskrezyna

dskrezyna

Member
Originally Posted by cmaxwell39
http:///forum/post/2980942
Then it sounds like you did the calculation correctly. Do you know what your alk level is running at? You may only need to raise the calcium level and dosing both parts of a two part will raise both.
Also what kind of salt are you running? If the low calcium levels are being caused by low levels of calcium in the salt mix that you are using then switching to a quality "reef" salt may help in keeping calcium and alkalinity levels in check without having to dose so much.

For Alkalinity step #1, I used 2 ml instead of 4ml. My syringe reading was .76 (left in the syringe). But it says to multiply calculation result by 2 if 2ml was used in step 1.
KH in dKH = (1 - .76) x 16 = 3.84 x 2 = 7.68
Alk in meq/L = (1 - .76) x 5.71 = 1.37 x 2 = 2.74
Did I do this correctly? (by the way, per directions I used drops until it turned pink/red/orange (whichever first, in my case pink), and not until there was ANY color change like the guy says in the posted link above. Might have been a 2 drop difference at the most if that's the case).
I use Instant Ocean salt mix. Currently I do not have a Salifert magnesium test kit.
I got the formula from here as I didnt have it on my sheet in my kit: http://www.petstore.com/ps_AquariumP...formation.html
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by dskrezyna
http:///forum/post/2981000
For Alkalinity step #1, I used 2 ml instead of 4ml. My syringe reading was .76 (left in the syringe). But it says to multiply calculation result by 2 if 2ml was used in step 1.
KH in dKH = (1 - .76) x 16 = 3.84 x 2 = 7.68
Alk in meq/L = (1 - .76) x 5.71 = 1.37 x 2 = 2.74
Did I do this correctly?
2.74 is correct,you can double check by using a full test.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
Your alk is a little low, but not as low as your calcium. I would say that the low levels are caused by the instant ocean salt. If you continue to use IO you will probably always fight low levels because even when you get your DT to the parameters that you want you are going to be lowering them everytime you do a waterchange unless you dose your waterchange water to get the correct parameters first.
I would look into using a good reef salt and dose your DT with 2-part to get your calcium and alk levels to where you want them. (FWIW my target is 420ppm calcium and about 9 DKH alkalinity.) HTH.
 
C

cmaxwell39

Guest
I am not familiar with the levels that Kent marine has, but the other two listed I know will give you better parameters than what you are getting out of IO.
 
veni vidi vici

veni vidi vici

Active Member
Originally Posted by dskrezyna
http:///forum/post/2982059
Would Kent Marine salt, Red Sea Coral Pro salt, or Reef Crystals be better than IO?
Yes,IO is a good salt if you are only doing a FO or FOWLR tank but if you are planning on a reef either switch salt or start learning about 2 part buffers to boost what you lack.In the case of IO calcium and magnesium are low in their mix.
BTW is this a reef or FO tank?
 
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