Salifert Calcium test?!? Whats wrong?

Nicholasbithell · 03/21/2010, 03:01 PM

SO the other day I purchased a Salifert calc test. I went to test my calc today and the color never changes even after the whole syringe is empty. (if i fill the syringe again and put it in the titration vial it will change to the clear blue color. So does this mean I have a super low calc amount in my tank? I have been dosing the Kent Liquid Calcium. I am switching to smart reef 3 part system in a few days. any thoughts on this?

clittrell · 03/21/2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholasbithell

SO the other day I purchased a Salifert calc test. I went to test my calc today and the color never changes even after the whole syringe is empty. (if i fill the syringe again and put it in the titration vial it will change to the clear blue color. So does this mean I have a super low calc amount in my tank? I have been dosing the Kent Liquid Calcium. I am switching to smart reef 3 part system in a few days. any thoughts on this?

I would think you calc is very high. I have .12 mill left in the syringe and I am about 440. If I used the entire syringe it would be higher.

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Randy Holmes-Farley · 03/21/2010, 03:48 PM

Try adding a second syringe to get to the endpoint. Many folks have calcium high enough to need more than one syringe. Add the values for each syringe together to get a final answer.

Nicholasbithell · 03/21/2010, 07:00 PM

I do have to add a second syringe to get the color change. If i fill the 1ml syringe once placeit all in there there is no change in color then I fill the second syringe to the 1ml line and continue drops until the syringe reads .65 so what exactly would that be sorry horrible with math!

bertoni · 03/22/2010, 12:37 AM

I don't have the chart for that test kit, but I think it's something like 670 ppm.

mano84 · 03/22/2010, 03:16 AM

Just read the chart (which reads 170 ppm for 0,66 ml and 180 ppm for 0,64 ml) then add 500 ppm and you (hopefully) come up with 670 or 680 ppm, depending if you looked at 0,66 or 0,64 ml which really doesn't matter since the test isn't that accurate anyway.

P.S. I don't have the chart in front of me, so if I'm off by 10 ppm or have reverted the numbers, you'll know that I'm the one that's confused.

returnofsid · 03/22/2010, 10:45 AM

The first full syringe, is equal to a calcium level of 500. After filling the second syringe, continue to test, until your reach your end point. From the second syringe, find your calcium, on the chart, and then add it to 500. For instance, with the second syringe, if your reach your end point, and from your chart, your calcium is 80ppm, your calcium is 580.

stingythingy45 · 03/22/2010, 10:51 AM

If you truly have a calcium at 580 you would be wise to check your alk...asap.
And your Mg. also.

Nicholasbithell · 03/22/2010, 08:32 PM

Thank You everyone who responded! My Alk is at 8 and raising. I don't fully understand the relationship between Alk, calk, and mag!?! Does anyone know of a really simple article that can sum it up for me? Thanks Guys

phragman53 · 03/22/2010, 09:33 PM

Look under the Reef Chemistry Articles link in the Chemistry forum. Randy Holmes-Farley has several articles that will help you with the relationship of pH, Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium.

bertoni · 03/23/2010, 03:29 AM

This article is a good place to start:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php

snlewis · 03/24/2020, 04:18 AM

My mag is 1300 and my alk is 10.7. I cant get my calcium to change color. The test kit is not expired either.

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bertoni · 03/24/2020, 05:23 PM

Have you tried using more than one syringe? I might try testing some freshly-mixed saltwater, to see where the problem might lie.

03/21/2010, 03:01 PM	#1
Nicholasbithell Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 33	Salifert Calcium test?!? Whats wrong? SO the other day I purchased a Salifert calc test. I went to test my calc today and the color never changes even after the whole syringe is empty. (if i fill the syringe again and put it in the titration vial it will change to the clear blue color. So does this mean I have a super low calc amount in my tank? I have been dosing the Kent Liquid Calcium. I am switching to smart reef 3 part system in a few days. any thoughts on this?

03/21/2010, 03:48 PM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Try adding a second syringe to get to the endpoint. Many folks have calcium high enough to need more than one syringe. Add the values for each syringe together to get a final answer. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

03/22/2010, 12:37 AM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I don't have the chart for that test kit, but I think it's something like 670 ppm. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/22/2010, 10:51 AM	#8
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	If you truly have a calcium at 580 you would be wise to check your alk...asap. And your Mg. also. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

03/23/2010, 03:29 AM	#11
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	This article is a good place to start: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/21/2010, 07:00 PM	#4
Nicholasbithell Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 33	I do have to add a second syringe to get the color change. If i fill the 1ml syringe once placeit all in there there is no change in color then I fill the second syringe to the 1ml line and continue drops until the syringe reads .65 so what exactly would that be sorry horrible with math!

03/22/2010, 03:16 AM	#6
mano84 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 82	Just read the chart (which reads 170 ppm for 0,66 ml and 180 ppm for 0,64 ml) then add 500 ppm and you (hopefully) come up with 670 or 680 ppm, depending if you looked at 0,66 or 0,64 ml which really doesn't matter since the test isn't that accurate anyway. P.S. I don't have the chart in front of me, so if I'm off by 10 ppm or have reverted the numbers, you'll know that I'm the one that's confused.

03/22/2010, 10:45 AM	#7
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	The first full syringe, is equal to a calcium level of 500. After filling the second syringe, continue to test, until your reach your end point. From the second syringe, find your calcium, on the chart, and then add it to 500. For instance, with the second syringe, if your reach your end point, and from your chart, your calcium is 80ppm, your calcium is 580.

03/22/2010, 08:32 PM	#9
Nicholasbithell Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 33	Thank You everyone who responded! My Alk is at 8 and raising. I don't fully understand the relationship between Alk, calk, and mag!?! Does anyone know of a really simple article that can sum it up for me? Thanks Guys

03/22/2010, 09:33 PM	#10
phragman53 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SW Conn. Posts: 52	Look under the Reef Chemistry Articles link in the Chemistry forum. Randy Holmes-Farley has several articles that will help you with the relationship of pH, Alkalinity, Calcium and Magnesium.

03/24/2020, 04:18 AM	#12
snlewis Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 3	My mag is 1300 and my alk is 10.7. I cant get my calcium to change color. The test kit is not expired either. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

03/24/2020, 05:23 PM	#13
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Have you tried using more than one syringe? I might try testing some freshly-mixed saltwater, to see where the problem might lie. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni