CA perfect, but can't read dKH...

cbusreefer · 08/19/2008, 05:10 PM

I tested my water for the second time with my Salifert test kits and still keep getting the same results. My CA is at 420. When i test the dKH, the test solution doesn't change color when i add the entire syringe. I've been testing for over a year now and know i'm doing it right.
I did however recently add a CA reactor. I have the ph of the effluent at 6.8 and my CA has been holding steady at 420. All my SPS and my clam seem to be loving life, so I don't think the dKH is dangerously high. I'm thinking my kit might be bad? Since my CA is staying stable, shouldn't my dKH be staying the same?

crvz · 08/19/2008, 05:34 PM

can you tell us how you're doing the test? a reactor can make your alk shoot high without bothering calc real bad, but over the test range would be a surprise.

cbusreefer · 08/19/2008, 08:14 PM

filling the beaker, adding the drops, adding reactant as i swirl and looking for color change. I normally stop and get my reading when the solution turns from blue to clear, before it even goes pink. It doesn't even go to gray now though.
Do you think my levels are harmful? I think i'm going to turn down my CO2 and bring my effluent up to 6.8 to see if that help things stabalize if they are indeed out of whack.

sps1-2-b · 08/19/2008, 09:43 PM

If you've been testing for over a year now then I doubt that it's your technique. Prolly a kit gone bad; I had Saliferts b4 but don't use them now because of some issues with them going bad (even b4 the exp date). I would try using another test kit just to make sure. At least you could eliminate if it's the test kit.

cbusreefer · 08/20/2008, 07:03 AM

what brand of test kit would everyone say is the best?

crvz · 08/20/2008, 08:48 AM

I still like salifert, even with their recent problems. maybe it's a comfort level thing, I've been using them so long. I would repeat the test, and keep adding the reactant until it changes (even if it's 2 full syringes). have you tried that?

cbusreefer · 08/20/2008, 09:22 AM

yes i have. It changes with just a little amount of the second syringe.

crvz · 08/20/2008, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cbusreefer
yes i have. It changes with just a little amount of the second syringe.

and on the third?

sounds like a bad test kit, indeed. I'd be stupid enough to just replace it, but shopping other brands isnt a bad idea.

an411 · 08/20/2008, 01:20 PM

If you can take it to the LFS and have them test it to confirm if its the test kit. Or if the alk is just high you said it changed with some of the second syringe

cbusreefer · 08/20/2008, 01:32 PM

I think i figured it out. I went home and tested on my lunch break and the kit is fine. I used the pure water that came with the kit and it tested right where it should. My alk is just crazy high!
After posting a few more threads, turuns out it is probably because my drip rate is too quick. I am going to unplug my CA reactor, and dose daily with Turbo Calcium again. Once it drops to an acceptable range, i will plug it back in and try and get the problem corrected.
Just when you think everything is operating smoothly... Lol, oh well. I was getting bored with only feeding daily anyhow :-)

08/19/2008, 05:10 PM	#1
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	CA perfect, but can't read dKH... I tested my water for the second time with my Salifert test kits and still keep getting the same results. My CA is at 420. When i test the dKH, the test solution doesn't change color when i add the entire syringe. I've been testing for over a year now and know i'm doing it right. I did however recently add a CA reactor. I have the ph of the effluent at 6.8 and my CA has been holding steady at 420. All my SPS and my clam seem to be loving life, so I don't think the dKH is dangerously high. I'm thinking my kit might be bad? Since my CA is staying stable, shouldn't my dKH be staying the same?

08/19/2008, 05:34 PM	#2
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	can you tell us how you're doing the test? a reactor can make your alk shoot high without bothering calc real bad, but over the test range would be a surprise. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/20/2008, 08:48 AM	#6
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	I still like salifert, even with their recent problems. maybe it's a comfort level thing, I've been using them so long. I would repeat the test, and keep adding the reactant until it changes (even if it's 2 full syringes). have you tried that? __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/19/2008, 08:14 PM	#3
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	filling the beaker, adding the drops, adding reactant as i swirl and looking for color change. I normally stop and get my reading when the solution turns from blue to clear, before it even goes pink. It doesn't even go to gray now though. Do you think my levels are harmful? I think i'm going to turn down my CO2 and bring my effluent up to 6.8 to see if that help things stabalize if they are indeed out of whack.

08/19/2008, 09:43 PM	#4
sps1-2-b Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 1,248	If you've been testing for over a year now then I doubt that it's your technique. Prolly a kit gone bad; I had Saliferts b4 but don't use them now because of some issues with them going bad (even b4 the exp date). I would try using another test kit just to make sure. At least you could eliminate if it's the test kit.

08/20/2008, 07:03 AM	#5
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	what brand of test kit would everyone say is the best?

08/20/2008, 09:22 AM	#7
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	yes i have. It changes with just a little amount of the second syringe.

08/20/2008, 01:20 PM	#9
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	If you can take it to the LFS and have them test it to confirm if its the test kit. Or if the alk is just high you said it changed with some of the second syringe

08/20/2008, 01:32 PM	#10
cbusreefer Moved On Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, OH Posts: 497	I think i figured it out. I went home and tested on my lunch break and the kit is fine. I used the pure water that came with the kit and it tested right where it should. My alk is just crazy high! After posting a few more threads, turuns out it is probably because my drip rate is too quick. I am going to unplug my CA reactor, and dose daily with Turbo Calcium again. Once it drops to an acceptable range, i will plug it back in and try and get the problem corrected. Just when you think everything is operating smoothly... Lol, oh well. I was getting bored with only feeding daily anyhow :-)