Calcium

[chrissaysyes]

So I finally got my calcium test kit today. After reading the little warning labels on the back of the bottles about how the solution could burn my hands and eyes off...I worked up the nerve to try it out. Of course I was nervous so I spilled it all over my hands and the kitchen counter. Whatever. So I was kind of confused. I was told to add drops until the solution in the test tube turned from pink to blue...the solution didnt mix when adding drops from the other solution...it only formed a color change at the top of the test tube. That was fun trying to figure out. Well I added until that bit of solution at the top turned blue. Assuming that was correct...my calcium level is currently around 150 ppm. Ugh. What's the best means for raising my calcium? The tank is 50g, phosphates, nitrites, nitrates, are all under control. Substrate is a mix of live arganite (35lbs or so) and about 5-10lbs of crushed coral. 10% water changes are done weekly. Anyone have a favorite brand for adding calcium? I know I'm going to get barked at for this but um...lately...I've been using...ahem...Purple-Up

 

[sophos9]

What test kit you using? Do the instructions tell you to shake the test-tube after each drop...?

I cannot imagine that calcium is at 150ppm...

 

[Matthew5664]

Pink to blue sound like a Hagen or Salifert test kit. Both of which have 3 parts. Reactor, binder and the re-agent. With the Hagen test kit it tells you to shake the vial and with the Salifert you have to swirl it. Could be that you did not add the correct amount of water in the first place which is 5ml for either. However if you added 10ml it would show as half the strength. I.e. you test shows 150ppm so it could be 300ml if 10ml of water was tested instead of 5ml. One thing to try is doubling the whole test by adding twice the amount of everything. I.e. 10ml liquid instead of 5 and when asked to add 3 drops of something add 6 some on and so forth.

150ppm is way out for some reason hope this helps in some way.

 

[sophos9]

Could be that you did not add the correct amount of water in the first place which is 5ml for either.

Salifert is 2ml or 1ml for low res

 

[xxBarneyxx]

It could just be that you needed to mix it more. With my kit I add a couple of drops, swirl it around for a few seconds and then add a couple more. When it is getting close to the end the drops will change colour as you add them but will then go back to pink when you swirl it around.

The other thing to make sure is that you had the right amount of solution in the syringe and that you have the adaptor on the end of it (if you have this). If you have the same test as me you have to measure how much liquid is left after the solution changes colour and if you had the wrong amount in there or didnt have the adaptor bit on the end the results would be way off.

 

[chrissaysyes]

Pink to blue sound like a Hagen or Salifert test kit. Both of which have 3 parts. Reactor, binder and the re-agent. With the Hagen test kit it tells you to shake the vial and with the Salifert you have to swirl it. Could be that you did not add the correct amount of water in the first place which is 5ml for either. However if you added 10ml it would show as half the strength. I.e. you test shows 150ppm so it could be 300ml if 10ml of water was tested instead of 5ml. One thing to try is doubling the whole test by adding twice the amount of everything. I.e. 10ml liquid instead of 5 and when asked to add 3 drops of something add 6 some on and so forth.

150ppm is way out for some reason hope this helps in some way.

I'll go downstairs in a bit and get back to you guys with the brand but it has two solutions and it calls for 5mL of water. The test tube included with the kit even has a line on it to mark the 5mL line. I imagine you guys are right about the swirling and mixing. The directions didnt call for me to do that but I bet that's whats up. I'll give it a whirl in a little while. Thanks! 150ppm seemed pretty friggin low.

How come noone wanted to bash me for using Purple-Up? C'mon guys...easy target, right?

 

[Matthew5664]

Purple -up is just a liquid Calcium additive with Coralline algae spores in. Nothing wrong with it.

 

[chrissaysyes]

well fine then...heh. I have seen people bad mouth purple up here before, thought most people had beef with it.

 

[SkiFletch]

*raises hand*

I'm not a fan of purple up . Its an ok additive, problem is it promises coraline algae growth but doesn't mention the dangers of overdosing. Its a chemistry disaster waiting to happen to newb reefers who don't test or have the info of a place like this.

Anyways, back to your problem chrissy: Matt is right, you need to shake/swirl the test tube as you're adding droplets. Thing is, wile adding the reagent (last dripwise step), the calcium is already bound up and "heavy" in solution. Therefore it can form a layer inside the test tube and stratify, almost like oil on water. If you don't swirl or shake the test tube, it doesn't mix properly and you get a false reading.

HTH

 

[Musho3210]

patience is the one most important thing in this hobby IMO, buying products like bio-spira or purple up is something that i find a ruination of the patient. Which would ultimately lead to the end of the world

Exaduration but really, be patient, let the algae grow on its own. Save some money, be human.