Can someone explain the test kit reactions?

AZBigJohn · 07/30/2012, 01:15 PM

I made some newbie mistakes with my Red Sea Reef Pro test kits, and I was hoping someone could help me understand the basic reactions that the test kits are producing, hoping that would help me get my mind around what I am screwing up. I know there are a lot of marine chemists on the forum that might help explain exactly how the tests for Alk, Ca and Mg work.

I am a nurse, so not a complete chemistry idiot, but it's not my favorite past time/passion either. Anyone who can somewhat simplify what is going on in those three tests?
Thanks!

disc1 · 07/30/2012, 03:20 PM

On my phone and can't link. Look up in the sticky thread for chemistry articles and look at the one that says improving test kit accuracy. The first post goes into pretty deep detail about a mag test. Calcium is basically the same and alk isn't far off.

ReachTheSky · 07/30/2012, 05:59 PM

Reef Keeping has many great articles on reef chemistry. Here's the one that goes into detail regarding tests: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-11/newbie/index.php

bertoni · 07/30/2012, 10:35 PM

Here's a link to the testing thread:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2078493

07/30/2012, 01:15 PM	#1
AZBigJohn Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 96	Can someone explain the test kit reactions? I made some newbie mistakes with my Red Sea Reef Pro test kits, and I was hoping someone could help me understand the basic reactions that the test kits are producing, hoping that would help me get my mind around what I am screwing up. I know there are a lot of marine chemists on the forum that might help explain exactly how the tests for Alk, Ca and Mg work. I am a nurse, so not a complete chemistry idiot, but it's not my favorite past time/passion either. Anyone who can somewhat simplify what is going on in those three tests? Thanks! __________________ Of all the things I've lost (and spent) in this hobby, I miss my mind the most... Current Tank Info: 55 gallon tank with 30 gallon sump/refugium, slowly converting to a reef tank, and a 28-gallon self-contained bullet-shaped tank

07/30/2012, 03:20 PM	#2
disc1 -RT * ln(k) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock Posts: 6,237	On my phone and can't link. Look up in the sticky thread for chemistry articles and look at the one that says improving test kit accuracy. The first post goes into pretty deep detail about a mag test. Calcium is basically the same and alk isn't far off. __________________ David Current Tank: Undergoing reconstruction...

07/30/2012, 05:59 PM	#3
ReachTheSky Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Burbank, CA Posts: 786	Reef Keeping has many great articles on reef chemistry. Here's the one that goes into detail regarding tests: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-11/newbie/index.php __________________ - Van "Did you know that people with guilty consciences are more easily startled by loud noi - [train horn] - I'm sorry, I don't know why that went off." - GLaDOS Current Tank Info: 50g in the works

07/30/2012, 10:35 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,496	Here's a link to the testing thread: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2078493 __________________ Jonathan Bertoni