KrazyKuch's & Michika's 180Gal Tank Build

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by michika

I'm confused...I think I need to go to bed.

Anyways, when I fill the syringe up with #3 I am lining the bottom of the plunger up with the 1ml mark. Is this incorrect? Should I be lining up the liquid with the 1ml level?

It just seems like if I line it up with the plunger and I do the test 3 times I get three different numbers. While I may be using the same amount of fluid each time, the air bubble throws off where the plunger is, which if I read the instructions correctly, is the number you use to get your result. Yes? No?

No no you're totally right the first time, you line up the plunger not the liquid and then you read where the plunger is. The air bubble shouldn't throw off where the plunger should be at all.

How different are your readings? I've never really done duplicate or triplicate readings on my tests. Hmm, I'm totally going to go check this!!

[michika]

Originally Posted by christyf5

No no you're totally right the first time, you line up the plunger not the liquid and then you read where the plunger is. The air bubble shouldn't throw off where the plunger should be at all.

How different are your readings? I've never really done duplicate or triplicate readings on my tests. Hmm, I'm totally going to go check this!!

Tonight I got 340, 360, and 390. The bubbles each time were of different sizes. If your bubble is bigger one test then the next you have a different volume of solution in the syringe, right? Or am I crazy?

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by michika

Tonight I got 340, 360, and 390. The bubbles each time were of different sizes. If your bubble is bigger one test then the next you have a different volume of solution in the syringe, right? Or am I crazy?

Well yes you do have a different volume of solution in the syringe, but its about how much of that solution it takes to make the color go from pink to blue or purple or whatever.

I just did it 3 times and I got 390 three times. Whew!

You know, you could just yard off the yellow syringe tip. I didn't even get one with my new salifert ca test kit.

[michika]

Alright so without the tip I got a consistent 345 twice! So solution found!

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by michika

Alright so without the tip I got a consistent 345 twice! So solution found!

Yay!!! Those tips are a PITA anyways. I just had one fall off while I was doing the tests and ended up having to redo it.

[michika]

Thank you for the tips!

Now if only I could get a replacement Magnesium test kit.

Well now I know that my Ca isn't crazy off I can finish tweaking my reactors!

[Lance]

I find with all the Salifert kits that if you draw the solution all the way to the top of the syringe and then plunge it all back into the bottle first. Then draw the solution up to the line as instructed. It works better this way for some reason. Don't know why but it works. I always get accurate readings this way.