Calcium Test Kit Readings

I just wanted to see what others' experiences were reguarding their Calcium
Test Kits.

I recently bought one that was on sale at an LFS and I am unhappy with it.
The reason being is that the color change of the fluid is so gradual that it
is very difficult to tell when to stop adding the solution.

With this kit, you take a sample of water, then add 3 drops from bottle #1,
(which makes the sample look real cloudy) mix, then add 7 drops from bottle
number two (turns it real pink, almost red). According to the chart it
should be a light pink at this point but it is way off. Then you start
adding drops from bottle #3. You multiply the number of drops by 20 and
that gives you your mg/L. (which I think is the same as ppm right?)

My problem is, is that the sample never matches the color on the chart
exactly. Supposedly, it will change from light pink to violet (they give
you two colored boxes to compare it to) when the test is complete. It goes
through so many shades of purple and red and it never matches the colors on
the chart. It is impossible to get a good reading.

According to my results I appear to be somewhere between 460 and 540 ppm.
(this is where I matched the end color the closest between 23 and 27 drops)

That seems a bit high and that accuracy range is not acceptable.

I've read that the salifert kit will get you within 10mg/L.

How exactly does the salifert kit work (I mean instructions wise) is it easy
to tell where your reading is or are you doing the guessing game with the
color matching?

TIA SSL

~Mort

Give me your e-mail address and I'll scan the instructions from the Salifert
kit and e-mail to you. I'm quite happy with the kit.

Chris



"Mort" wrote in message
y.com...
I just wanted to see what others' experiences were reguarding their
Calcium
Test Kits.

I recently bought one that was on sale at an LFS and I am unhappy with it.
The reason being is that the color change of the fluid is so gradual that
it
is very difficult to tell when to stop adding the solution.

With this kit, you take a sample of water, then add 3 drops from bottle
#1,
(which makes the sample look real cloudy) mix, then add 7 drops from
bottle
number two (turns it real pink, almost red). According to the chart it
should be a light pink at this point but it is way off. Then you start
adding drops from bottle #3. You multiply the number of drops by 20 and
that gives you your mg/L. (which I think is the same as ppm right?)

My problem is, is that the sample never matches the color on the chart
exactly. Supposedly, it will change from light pink to violet (they give
you two colored boxes to compare it to) when the test is complete. It
goes
through so many shades of purple and red and it never matches the colors
on
the chart. It is impossible to get a good reading.

According to my results I appear to be somewhere between 460 and 540 ppm.
(this is where I matched the end color the closest between 23 and 27
drops)

That seems a bit high and that accuracy range is not acceptable.

I've read that the salifert kit will get you within 10mg/L.

How exactly does the salifert kit work (I mean instructions wise) is it
easy
to tell where your reading is or are you doing the guessing game with the
color matching?

TIA SSL

~Mort

"Mort" wrote in message y.com...
With this kit, you take a sample of water, then add 3 drops from bottle #1,
(which makes the sample look real cloudy) mix, then add 7 drops from bottle
number two (turns it real pink, almost red). According to the chart it
should be a light pink at this point but it is way off. Then you start
adding drops from bottle #3. You multiply the number of drops by 20 and
that gives you your mg/L. (which I think is the same as ppm right?)

My problem is, is that the sample never matches the color on the chart
exactly. Supposedly, it will change from light pink to violet (they give
you two colored boxes to compare it to) when the test is complete. It goes
through so many shades of purple and red and it never matches the colors on
the chart. It is impossible to get a good reading.

I am using SeaChem calcium test and they also use titrate method.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...133&in_merch=1
The point the measurment is ended for SeaChem test is when the color of the
sample turns blue (originaly pink). The transition is rapid (one drop or less).
You may note the amount you added and add more - if the coloro does not change
the noted value is your reading.

I am also reading high calcium with low alkalinity - I use SeaLab #28.

"Pszemol" wrote in message ...
I am using SeaChem calcium test and they also use titrate method.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...133&in_merch=1
The point the measurment is ended for SeaChem test is when the color of the
sample turns blue (originaly pink). The transition is rapid (one drop or less).
You may note the amount you added and add more - if the coloro does not change
the noted value is your reading.

Here you will find *.pdf file with complete, original instructions:
http://www.seachem.com/en_support/ki...40-Calcium.pdf

i like saliferts, it works ok, but color charts always have a problem.
sound like salifert is your best bet however. it does the WHAM change from
pink, to blueish, and it is assumed that the WHAM change it what is to be
assumed the measure point. others wonder if you keep dropping solution
until its totally clear blue, which in my opinion will give inaccurate
results. Im not sure about sea chems, but saliferts is GOOD.

wolfhedd

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
I am using SeaChem calcium test and they also use titrate method.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...133&in_merch=1
The point the measurment is ended for SeaChem test is when the color of
the
sample turns blue (originaly pink). The transition is rapid (one drop or
less).
You may note the amount you added and add more - if the coloro does not
change
the noted value is your reading.

Here you will find *.pdf file with complete, original instructions:
http://www.seachem.com/en_support/ki...40-Calcium.pdf

I use and like the Seachem test kit. As others have said, it's a titration
style kit meaning that you add drops until the colour changes. My experience
is that the colour change is rapid and distinct with this kit. Plus, the kit
supposedly lasts for 150 tests (I've only used it about 6 times so far). The
kit also comes with a standarized calcium solution so that you can test its
accuracy. I tried that, and it was bang on.

Don't know about the Salifert kit for calcium, but the Seachem has my vote.

Regards,

Dave.

"wolfhedd" wrote in message
nk.net...
i like saliferts, it works ok, but color charts always have a problem.
sound like salifert is your best bet however. it does the WHAM change
from
pink, to blueish, and it is assumed that the WHAM change it what is to be
assumed the measure point. others wonder if you keep dropping solution
until its totally clear blue, which in my opinion will give inaccurate
results. Im not sure about sea chems, but saliferts is GOOD.

wolfhedd

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
I am using SeaChem calcium test and they also use titrate method.


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...4397&N=1+11313
3&in_merch=1
The point the measurment is ended for SeaChem test is when the color
of
the
sample turns blue (originaly pink). The transition is rapid (one drop
or
less).
You may note the amount you added and add more - if the coloro does
not
change
the noted value is your reading.

Here you will find *.pdf file with complete, original instructions:
http://www.seachem.com/en_support/ki...40-Calcium.pdf

I have a follow up question. This is prolly a good one for Boomer but I'll
throw it out there for everyone.

For these titration kits, has anyone ever tried adding multiple drops at
once?

For example, in the calcium test kit, you are looking at at least 20 drops
of the third solution before your color will change. (assuming your Ca is
close to where it should be)

The directions say, add one drop, mix. Add another drop, mix. etc etc...

I did follow those directions, however, what would the effect be if you
added 15 or 20 drops right off the bat, mixed, and then did one drop at a
time?

Would it still be the exact same reading if you did it one drop at a time?

~Mort

"David McKay" wrote in message le.rogers.com...
The kit also comes with a standarized calcium solution so that
you can test its accuracy. I tried that, and it was bang on.

Don't know about the Salifert kit for calcium, but the Seachem has my vote.

Does Salifert come with reference sample?

I usually empty about half the Syringe into the vial right off, then go drop
by drop.



"Mort" wrote in message
y.com...
I have a follow up question. This is prolly a good one for Boomer but
I'll
throw it out there for everyone.

For these titration kits, has anyone ever tried adding multiple drops at
once?

For example, in the calcium test kit, you are looking at at least 20 drops
of the third solution before your color will change. (assuming your Ca is
close to where it should be)

The directions say, add one drop, mix. Add another drop, mix. etc etc...

I did follow those directions, however, what would the effect be if you
added 15 or 20 drops right off the bat, mixed, and then did one drop at a
time?

Would it still be the exact same reading if you did it one drop at a time?

~Mort

If you are using the Salifert kit, you can add half the solution in the syringe,
shake the vial for 20 seconds, then continue drop by drop. When you color
changes to blue, give it another 20 seconds or so to see if it stays blue. If
it begins to look pinkish-purple again, add another drop to make it officially
blue. That is your true result.

ppm is not the same as meq/L.

I love the Salifert kits for Alk, Ca, PO4, and Nitrates.

Marc


Mort wrote:

I have a follow up question. This is prolly a good one for Boomer but I'll
throw it out there for everyone.

For these titration kits, has anyone ever tried adding multiple drops at
once?

For example, in the calcium test kit, you are looking at at least 20 drops
of the third solution before your color will change. (assuming your Ca is
close to where it should be)

The directions say, add one drop, mix. Add another drop, mix. etc etc...

I did follow those directions, however, what would the effect be if you
added 15 or 20 drops right off the bat, mixed, and then did one drop at a
time?

Would it still be the exact same reading if you did it one drop at a time?

~Mort

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