Can’t get a Salifert Caclium Reading

[goose0211]

I’m having an issue with the ‘new’ Salifert test.

Not used for a month or so but when I test now the solution stays blue - it doesn’t turn the initial pink. It used to be fine so assume it’s my water and am thinking that maybe my calcium is therefore too high or too low but don’t know how to find out which.

I realise I can but a new or different kit but if it’s way off the scale then that won’t help.

I’ve tried doubling the initial 2ml to 4ml water, trying the low range but don’t get the solution turning pink.

Can anyone advise, with certainty, if I’m too high or too low so I can remedy.

Thanks

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

I’m having an issue with the ‘new’ Salifert test.

Not used for a month or so but when I test now the solution stays blue - it doesn’t turn the initial pink. It used to be fine so assume it’s my water and am thinking that maybe my calcium is therefore too high or too low but don’t know how to find out which.

I realise I can but a new or different kit but if it’s way off the scale then that won’t help.

I’ve tried doubling the initial 2ml to 4ml water, trying the low range but don’t get the solution turning pink.

Can anyone advise, with certainty, if I’m too high or too low so I can remedy.

Thanks

I believe if the Ca was too low it would be pink and to me it seems it is really high. When you drop in does it change color at all or just instantly turn blue? Is there any hint at the color changing agent working?

If the agent isn’t working, problem solved.

If the agent does work I think with a high level of confidence the Ca is just extremely high

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I think there is an error of some sort. Blue at the start would indicate no calcium, which doesn't happen in tank water.

In high calcium cases, you stay pink and don't get to the endpoint (blue) after a full syringe, and you can add a second syringe worth to get to the endpoint and add the values together.

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

I believe if the Ca was too low it would be pink and to me it seems it is really high. When you drop in does it change color at all or just instantly turn blue? Is there any hint at the color changing agent working?

If the agent isn’t working, problem solved.

If the agent does work I think with a high level of confidence the Ca is just extremely high

My post is backwards apparently my b

 

[goose0211]

hmmmm, ok thanks.

So maybe a get a new test then?

One thing to add, my Alk reading was v high, up near 14dkh if that helps?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

hmmmm, ok thanks.

So maybe a get a new test then?

One thing to add, my Alk reading was v high, up near 14dkh if that

That alk should be ok. I’d try it again on tank water and ro/di water.

 

[goose0211]

That alk should be ok. I’d try it again on tank water and ro/di water.

Sorry, what do you mean try it again on tank and ro water? As in test again? If so I’ve tried 3 or 4 times with the same result.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry, what do you mean try it again on tank and ro water? As in test again? If so I’ve tried 3 or 4 times with the same result.

Yes, that’s what I meant. Are these the exact directions you followed?

1. Fill the test vial with 2mL of tank water using the 1mL syringe.
2. Add one level scoop of the Ca-1 reagent to your sample.
3. Using the included plastic tip, draw 1 mL of reagent Ca-2 into the 1mL syringe.
4. Add 0.6 mL into the sample vial all at once, swirl gently to mix and the sample will turn PINK in color.
5. Using the remaining reagent in the syringe, add one drop at a time to your vial, swirling after every drop.
6. Continue to add one drop at a time until the sample changes from PINK to BLUE.

 

[goose0211]

Yes, that’s what I meant. Are these the exact directions you followed?

1. Fill the test vial with 2mL of tank water using the 1mL syringe.
2. Add one level scoop of the Ca-1 reagent to your sample.
3. Using the included plastic tip, draw 1 mL of reagent Ca-2 into the 1mL syringe.
4. Add 0.6 mL into the sample vial all at once, swirl gently to mix and the sample will turn PINK in color.
5. Using the remaining reagent in the syringe, add one drop at a time to your vial, swirling after every drop.
6. Continue to add one drop at a time until the sample changes from PINK to BLUE.

Yep 100% followed. Doesn’t turn pink after adding the 0.6ml reagent 2 and swirling.

Have tried low range with 1ml, and also using 4ml water, 2ml water with twice as much ca-1, various options and can’t get any pink!

Thinking to get a different brand kit and test!

 

[goose0211]

Yes, that’s what I meant. Are these the exact directions you followed?

1. Fill the test vial with 2mL of tank water using the 1mL syringe.
2. Add one level scoop of the Ca-1 reagent to your sample.
3. Using the included plastic tip, draw 1 mL of reagent Ca-2 into the 1mL syringe.
4. Add 0.6 mL into the sample vial all at once, swirl gently to mix and the sample will turn PINK in color.
5. Using the remaining reagent in the syringe, add one drop at a time to your vial, swirling after every drop.
6. Continue to add one drop at a time until the sample changes from PINK to BLUE.

Have done a test on fresh salt water and it works fine so now I’m none the wiser.

Any thoughts on other test kits that maybe test different ways which might give me a reading?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Have done a test on fresh salt water and it works fine so now I’m none the wiser.

Any thoughts on other test kits that maybe test different ways which might give me a reading?

What does it mean it works fine in new salt water?

if the Salifert test works in new salt water, it will work in tank water.

 

[goose0211]

What does it mean it works fine in new salt water?

if the Salifert test works in new salt water, it will work in tank water.

I’ve tested in a new mix of salt water and after powder and 0.6ml of reagent 2 it turns pink.

My tank water, I do the same and it doesn’t turn pink after powder and 0.6ml reagent 2.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve tested in a new mix of salt water and after powder and 0.6ml of reagent 2 it turns pink.

My tank water, I do the same and it doesn’t turn pink after powder and 0.6ml reagent 2.

Since that doesn't make sense to me, can you test both side by side at basically the same time to be 100% certain you are using the same procedure and the same reagents and same timing and everything the same?

I do not mean to distrust you, but I've seen this movie hundreds if not thousands of times: reefers want a chemical explanation for an odd result, but at the end of it all, test error is the usual problem.

 

[goose0211]

Since that doesn't make sense to me, can you test both side by side at basically the same time to be 100% certain you are using the same procedure and the same reagents and same timing and everything the same?

I do not mean to distrust you, but I've seen this movie hundreds if not thousands of times: reefers want a chemical explanation for an odd result, but at the end of it all, test error is the usual problem.

I know it is weird!!
Am back home tomorrow so will try that for sure and report back
Thanks

 

[sublime275]

It was mentioned in another thread here that if it does not turn pink after adding the initial 0.6ml your calcium is lower than 360 ppm.

 

[Ilya_Tihomirov]

hmmmm, ok thanks.

So maybe a get a new test then?

One thing to add, my Alk reading was v high, up near 14dkh if that helps?

This test from Salifer behaves like this all the time. Do this - add up to pink, 0.6 or more, then drip down to blue, the result will be close to reality. Checked on redsea. +-10 units

 

[I never finish anythi]

If it's not turning blue after in initial 1ml I think you're calcium must be very high . Refil the 1ml syringe again and keep dripping the regent in until it turns blue . Then do the calculations to work out the level of calcium. .

 

[I never finish anythi]

I had a similar problem when my dkh was at 20 . I had to use the whole 1ml syringe and fill it back up and keep going until it changed colour and the do the math to workout the results

 

[I never finish anythi]

You have calcium levels over 500

 

[goose0211]

If it's not turning blue after in initial 1ml I think you're calcium must be very high . Refil the 1ml syringe again and keep dripping the regent in until it turns blue . Then do the calculations to work out the level of calcium. .

Thanks, but it never turns pink so not sure this helps as adding more reagent only makes it more blue