Salifert Ca Test

[BIGBIRD123]

Does anybody have a copy of the instructions for the Salifert Ca Profi Test (Calcium)? I got a new one in the mail today but it didn't have any instructions in the box. This is my first time to use the Salifert test, so I don't have old instructions. If you do. could you please PM me a copy or fax it to" 512-564-1357. Your help will be appreciated.

Steve

[NaCl_H2O]

There are two versions of the Ca Kit (old & New)

Old = #1 granualar powder, #2 small dropper bottle, #3 reagent

New = #1 granualar powder, #2 LARGEl dropper bottle, #3 reagent
(The new version's large dropper bottle is as big as the bottle of reagent)

Can you tell which one you have from this?

I can probably give you directions for either, but will need to type it in :( , no fax here.

[GaryP]

1. 3 ml. sample in syringe
2. Add 6 drops of reagent 1, swirl
3. Add 1 scoop reagent 2, swirl
4. Titrate dropwise until color change with reagent 3. Swirl between drops. Only fill the syringe until the plunger is at 1.0. Some air in the syrine is OK.
5. Multiply the amount used by 500 to get ppm of Calcium.
0 ml. = 0 ppm, .1 ml. = 50 ppm, .5 ml = 250 ppm, 1.0 ml = 500 ppm, etc.

[NaCl_H2O]

Gary, those are correct for the old version. I got a new one about a month ago and they changed it a little

1) 2ml sample from syringe
2) 1 scoop of reagent #1 (powder) - don't swirl yet!
3) 8 drops of reagent #2 - now swirl
4) Same as Gary's #4, etc.

[GaryP]

OK, now you have both versions. I wish they sold the individual reagents as a refill. I ran out of the KOH (#1 - potassium hydroxide) but still have a bunch of the rest. One of these days I'll figure out the concentrations of this stuff and just start putting together my own test kits. It ain't rocket science. All they do is buy this stuff and repackage it.

[BIGBIRD123]

Thanks Gary and Steve, I just did the test. I have the new version. I came out with a reading of 475 ppm. I guess that's good. This is the very first time that I had a Ca test that was worth a sh........should bought the Salifert the first time. Now I get to do my new PO4 test and my KH. WOOOOOOHOOOO! This stuff is starting to be fun. LOL! Thanks again.

Steve

[GaryP]

475 is pretty high. Need to see what your alkalinity is to tell how good it is. If you are doing reef I would suggest getting a Magnesium kit. IMO phosphate kits aren't really that useful. My phosphate test kit is whether I have to much green stuff growing or not. Some phosphates aren't detected by them.

[BIGBIRD123]

Gary,
The dKH was 13.6 and the Alk was 4.85. That's kinda high isn't it?

[GaryP]

Yea, it is. You're pretty much at toip of the range for both Calcium & Alkalinity. If you are using two part I wouldn't add any more for a while. You could end up with a blizzard and then both levels will crash.

[BIGBIRD123]

Actually, I don't dose. I added some (2g) of lime water last night for top-off. My ph usually stays at about 8.2. I use a calcium reactor but it's been turned off for about two months (too lazy to go get CO2). What else can I do to get it down?

[GaryP]

Just let it come down on its own. Keep testing. Its OK where it is now, but like I said, at the top of the range.