Stange Readings?

I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about 550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around 8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

8.0 and 500ppm is pretty good. Your Ca is a little bit higher than you need it
to be. You should be aiming for 400 to 450ppm.

There is an article that is posted about Alk and Ca by Randy Holmes Farley, but
I don't have the link handy.

Marc


Mort wrote:

I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about 550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around 8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Here you go:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm


Chris

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
8.0 and 500ppm is pretty good. Your Ca is a little bit higher than you
need it
to be. You should be aiming for 400 to 450ppm.

There is an article that is posted about Alk and Ca by Randy Holmes
Farley, but
I don't have the link handy.

Marc


Mort wrote:

I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised
to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around
8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on
that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

Thank You!



"Chris Taylor" wrote in message
...

Here you go:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm


Chris

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
8.0 and 500ppm is pretty good. Your Ca is a little bit higher than you
need it
to be. You should be aiming for 400 to 450ppm.

There is an article that is posted about Alk and Ca by Randy Holmes
Farley, but
I don't have the link handy.

Marc


Mort wrote:

I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised
to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around
8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on
that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

"Marc Levenson" wrote in message
...
8.0 and 500ppm is pretty good. Your Ca is a little bit higher than you
need it
to be. You should be aiming for 400 to 450ppm.


That's just it though Marc, I am not "aiming" for anything. I've not added
ANY calcium or other additives EVER. I'm using Coralife brand salt mix.

I'l read that article later. =)

~Mort








There is an article that is posted about Alk and Ca by Randy Holmes
Farley, but
I don't have the link handy.

Marc


Mort wrote:

I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised
to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around
8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on
that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

"Mort" wrote in message m...
I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised
to see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around 8dKH /
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

Check this out: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.htm

It appears I have a VERY low Magnesium level. I bought the Salifert kit
today and the color change on this is not as drastic as I would like. It
says the liquid will turn Gray or Blue. Well, it turns a faded purple after
two drops of the MG 3 so I guess that could be considered gray?

My question is, assuming the worst, what would happen if I added a little Mg
if the levels are already high? Any ill side effects of too much Mg?

TIA

~Mort

"Mort" wrote in message
m...
I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around 8dKH
/
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

Just thinking out loud here, but I would think too much Mg would cause the
Alk to lower.

Doesn't Magnesium attach to carbonate ions? For example, if you are having
Ca troubles, (can't maintain a decent level, say 375+), check on the Mg
because it may be low causing the carbonates to attach to the Ca forming
calcium carbonates.

Just a thought.

-Rick

"Mort" wrote in message
...
It appears I have a VERY low Magnesium level. I bought the Salifert kit
today and the color change on this is not as drastic as I would like. It
says the liquid will turn Gray or Blue. Well, it turns a faded purple
after
two drops of the MG 3 so I guess that could be considered gray?

My question is, assuming the worst, what would happen if I added a little
Mg
if the levels are already high? Any ill side effects of too much Mg?

TIA

~Mort

"Mort" wrote in message
m...
I've had a generic Ca Test Kit for a while now. It always read about
550ppm
but I was never sure because the color change was rather gradual.

Well, I finally got a couple of Salifert test kits and I was surprised
to
see that even THIS test kit says I am over 500ppm.

I was curious to see what my KH/Alk, was and it only tests out around
8dKH
/
2.86meq/L. Isn't that a bit low? Where's a good place to read up on
that
anyway?

I used the high resolution for both tests.

What is your interpretation of these readings?

TIA

~Mort

"Richard Ryerson" wrote in message
...
Just thinking out loud here, but I would think too much Mg would cause the
Alk to lower.

Doesn't Magnesium attach to carbonate ions? For example, if you are having
Ca troubles, (can't maintain a decent level, say 375+), check on the Mg
because it may be low causing the carbonates to attach to the Ca forming
calcium carbonates.

Just a thought.

-Rick



That's interesting. It turns out my Mg is just over 1500 ppm
Maybe that's why I have low alk? Hmmm....

~Mort