Ca/Alk/Mag Mess . . . How to fix?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

I currently use IO Sea Salt, and batch # 11257 is being tested here

I'm starting to think there's something wrong with your salt

My LFS guy was off today, so I wasn't able to get any to test.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

I'm starting to think there's something wrong with your salt

At least we're now talking about my Salt being off instead of it being either;

1 - Greg's kits are out of whack
2 - Greg's out of whack



Although, I'll admit I'm out of whack sometimes

As I said, I'll report my findings

[Enigma]

Very interesting, Greg.

While the Seachem Reef Status tests are a production (you should see the magnesium test ), I'm curious as to why you feel the Reef Status calcium test is unreliable. It gave you the exact same results twice. Did you do additional tests that did not return similar values? Or, did you foul a number of the test?

I'm impressed with your dedication to this! And yes, your salt is whacked (for IO). It is testing much more like Reef Crystals. And, in that case, I'm wondering why the heck I'm paying for Reef Crystals when the plain IO is returning results like that.

I wasn't able to pick up the Hanna Checker and the Elos Calcium test last night, as I narrowly missed Dave @ Concept. I'll be picking those up tonight. And, I will endeavour to get some numbers that corroborate. Once I have numbers I trust, I'll have a better idea how to approach this.

Did another 10% wc last night . . . and my euphyllia are ****ed! I'll be spying on them with the ip cam today. They all shrunk right up into their skeletons.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I'm curious as to why you feel the Reef Status calcium test is unreliable. It gave you the exact same results twice. Did you do additional tests that did not return similar values? Or, did you foul a number of the test?

I found the Seachem Reef Ca kit to be unreliable as the testing proceedure uses such a diluted sample that I couldn't make out the colors well enough, and the lines on the reagent syringe are so dammed small that I had trouble reading how much solution I had used. Why can't they make a kit with dripper-style dispensing bottles ???
It did give me the same results 2 times and yes I fouled numerous tests as it was my first time using this style kit
I had Jeff @ J&L try using the Seachem Alk kit and he showed me how to make it work better, although I still find it less user friendly than a dripper bottle is

I am making up some more NSW from the same bucket and will re-test with the Elos and Seachem kits

Now, here's something interesting;

I took in a sample of my NSW and my DT water to J&L
While Andy got the same KH results as I did, the Ca tests were nowhere near the same
We each used both their kit and mine, and we tested both of my water samples
I tested 470 Ca and Andy tested 380-420
It looks like it's coming down to user technique

I've contacted Elos as there is a pictogram in the packaging that shows the reagent bottles being dripped from an angle of approx 45 degrees

I was testing my Ca with the bottles held at an angle for 2 reasons;
One is sometimes the bottle may keep dripping if held vertically and;
Two was because of the images on the card

This may explain why my results are so high as I'm not dispensing the same amount per drop as Andy is when the bottles are held completely vertical

I've PMd LeanneP to ask her what test kits she is using and her testing methods, as well as to ask her if she'd be willling to re-test if she is using Elos kits

I felt very vindicated last night after all my tests
Now I'm feeling kinda sheepish

[gregzz4]

Here's Elos' response ...

Thanks for using our products and contacting us. The angle on the illustrated pamphlet is ok but i know what you are describing that it is possible to "chop the drops", if you hold at an angle. The bottles used in the Elos kits are metered drops so it is best to get close to vertical or vertical for best results. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.
　
　
Jesse S.
(office) 925.600.8020
(toll free)877.373.0105
(fax) 925.600.8917
jesse@elosusa.com
www.elosusa.com
www.facebook.com/elosusa
　

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

It looks like it's coming down to user technique

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

Ya ya, har har har, and "I told you so"

I'll let you know what I get from the mixed water after I test it tomorrow

[Enigma]

Originally Posted by gregzz4

Here's Elos' response ...

Thanks for using our products and contacting us. The angle on the illustrated pamphlet is ok but i know what you are describing that it is possible to "chop the drops", if you hold at an angle. The bottles used in the Elos kits are metered drops so it is best to get close to vertical or vertical for best results. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.
　
　
Jesse S.
(office) 925.600.8020
(toll free)877.373.0105
(fax) 925.600.8917
jesse@elosusa.com
www.elosusa.com
www.facebook.com/elosusa
　

There's your vindication right there. I like how she won't say that the diagrams are wrong, but she instructed you to keep them as verticle as possible.

Originally Posted by gregzz4

That's something I've not experienced yet
Was your new water mixed well and the same temp etc etc ??

Did you do anything else at the same time ?

I'm becoming so anal that I won't do 2 things at the same time anymore

I did nothing else at the same time. If they were ticked off yesterday, they're super ticked tonight! They opened during the day just fine, so hopefully this will pass.

I picked up Aquavitro Calicification tonight. It claims that one of the types of calcium in it (gluconate-complexed calcium) prevents calcium precipitation and alkalinity depletion. Oh, and it claims it won't effect pH. We'll see. No snow storm in my tank, so hopefully that's a good sign.

I split the difference between the lower and upper recommended dosages, which should raise it by about 20 ppm. I showed remarkable restraint. And, I purchased the little bottle: so I'd feel as if I had to make it last. I really wanted the big one.

[gregzz4]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Did another 10% wc last night . . . and my euphyllia are ****ed! I'll be spying on them with the ip cam today. They all shrunk right up into their skeletons.

That's something I've not experienced yet
Was your new water mixed well and the same temp etc etc ??

Did you do anything else at the same time ?

I'm becoming so anal that I won't do 2 things at the same time anymore