Did I get the wrong EC tester for Kalk ?

[hans4811]

So I recently started dosing Kalk from a brute container and read that full saturation was 10.3 mS/cm after mixing. Was curious what my mixture was so I bought this Hanna EC Tester…

…says it measures from 0.0 to 20.0 mS/cm. So I calibrated it using the solution shown here and then tested it in a cup of RODI and 2 teaspoons of Kalk, but it only showed a reading of 7.67 ?

Then I noticed the calibration fluid shows uS/cm and not mS/cm….is that why the discrepancy ? Any suggestions ?

 

[Sean Clark]

1000 us is equal to 1 ms. So your 12880 us solution is equal to 12.88 ms. I am not sure why your meter is only showing 7.67 but it is possible that it is correct if it registers 12.88 ms in the calibration solution. Your mix may not be at full saturation.

 

[hans4811]

1000 us is equal to 1 ms. So your 12880 us solution is equal to 12.88 ms. I am not sure why your meter is only showing 7.67 but it is possible that it is correct if it registers 12.88 ms in the calibration solution. Your mix may not be at full saturation.

I just sacrificed another calibration packet to test, and it did show 12.88.

Read this from a post that @Randy Holmes-Farley replied to….

“You can easily determine what reading you get by outting the probe in truly saturated kalk. Say, 2 teaspoons calcium hydroxide slurries in 1 cup RO/di. It is about 10.3 mS/cm. What that reads in tds varies a bit based on the tds scale used.”….

Measured 2 level teaspoons in a cup of RODI and stirred it up. While the water was still slurry is when I measured it. Plus, I went to my brute container of Kalk, freshly made just 2 days ago and it measured like 7.44 or so….and my alk reading is just fine, my normal 8.3 dKH…so what the heck !?

sent off an email to Hanna as well….

 

[Sean Clark]

I just sacrificed another calibration packet to test, and it did show 12.88.

Read this from a post that @Randy Holmes-Farley replied to….

“You can easily determine what reading you get by outting the probe in truly saturated kalk. Say, 2 teaspoons calcium hydroxide slurries in 1 cup RO/di. It is about 10.3 mS/cm. What that reads in tds varies a bit based on the tds scale used.”….

Measured 2 level teaspoons in a cup of RODI and stirred it up. While the water was still slurry is when I measured it. Plus, I went to my brute container of Kalk, freshly made just 2 days ago and it measured like 7.44 or so….and my alk reading is just fine, my normal 8.3 dKH…so what the heck !?

sent off an email to Hanna as well….

Another possibility could be the purity of the calcium hydroxide that you are using if you are fully saturated and still not measuring up where it should be.

 

[hans4811]

Another possibility could be the purity of the calcium hydroxide that you are using if you are fully saturated and still not measuring up where it should be.

Using the BRS pharma grade stuff. Just started using Kalk on 5/26, so we’re talking less than a month ago when I bought the 2 lb pack and I made sure it was sealed tightly after use.

Plus wouldnt you think that if saturation was that low, my alk would be way out of whack ? I just measured it and it’s normal.

 

[Sean Clark]

Using the BRS pharma grade stuff. Just started using Kalk on 5/26, so we’re talking less than a month ago when I bought the 2 lb pack and I made sure it was sealed tightly after use.

Plus wouldnt you think that if saturation was that low, my alk would be way out of whack ? I just measured it and it’s normal.

Why don't you try 3 tsp in your cup of rodi and see what you get? It is either going to go up or not. At least then you will know one way or the other.

As for your alk, if you set your dosing on your brute barrel that is only at 7.44 then your alk wouldn't be off but you would need to dose more solution to get the same rise then if it was at 10.3.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why don't you try 3 tsp in your cup of rodi and see what you get? It is either going to go up or not. At least then you will know one way or the other.

As for your alk, if you set your dosing on your brute barrel that is only at 7.44 then your alk wouldn't be off but you would need to dose more solution to get the same rise then if it was at 10.3.

I agree, that’s a good plan to add more and see what happens.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Using the BRS pharma grade stuff. Just started using Kalk on 5/26, so we’re talking less than a month ago when I bought the 2 lb pack and I made sure it was sealed tightly after use.

Plus wouldnt you think that if saturation was that low, my alk would be way out of whack ? I just measured it and it’s normal.

About what temp was this?

 

[hans4811]

I agree, that’s a good plan to add more and see what happens

So I upped the dosage to 3 tsps to 1 cup of RODI and then tried 4 tsps:

2 tsps @ 82.6 F - 7.67 mS/cm
3 tsps @ 82.6 F - 7.71 mS/cm (RODI container is in garage in Fla)
4 tsps @ 80.0 F - 7.91 mS/cm (water cooled while stirring)

…so nothing earth shaking there.

Maybe the EC Tester just can’t measure in Kalk ? Got me….

 

[hans4811]

As for your alk, if you set your dosing on your brute barrel that is only at 7.44 then your alk wouldn't be off but you would need to dose more solution to get the same rise then if it was at 10.3.

I agree but the Kalk is being dosed thru a Neptune DOS and Apex with a set schedule and amount….so the amount stays the same.

 

[Sean Clark]

I agree but the Kalk is being dosed thru a Neptune DOS and Apex with a set schedule and amount….so the amount stays the same.

Right, the amount stayed the same because you were never dosing a 10.3 solution... Or you are and have been but your meter is not reading it as saturated for some reason.

The readings that you posted for 2, 3, and 4 tsp seem odd and like the meter may not be providing the best results. I have no experience with that tool to critque it though.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So I upped the dosage to 3 tsps to 1 cup of RODI and then tried 4 tsps:

2 tsps @ 82.6 F - 7.67 mS/cm
3 tsps @ 82.6 F - 7.71 mS/cm (RODI container is in garage in Fla)
4 tsps @ 80.0 F - 7.91 mS/cm (water cooled while stirring)

…so nothing earth shaking there.

Maybe the EC Tester just can’t measure in Kalk ? Got me….

The conductivity is a bit low and I think the tester is reading low, but it is adequate for monitoring kalkwasser potency.

Assume 8 mS/cm is saturated, and thus anything less is less than saturated. 6 mS/cm = 6/8 = 0.75 = 75% saturated.

 

[hans4811]

The conductivity is a bit low and I think the tester is reading low, but it is adequate for monitoring kalkwasser potency.

Assume 8 mS/cm is saturated, and thus anything less is less than saturated. 6 mS/cm = 6/8 = 0.75 = 75% saturated.

What I initially did as well….assumed the 7.67 was full saturation, then 7.44/7.67 = 97% saturation.

Kinda wonky having to do that…may just return the thing.

 

[hans4811]

Just a thought….I stirred that mixture and measured it right away. Should I have let it sit for an hour or two before testing it ?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Just a thought….I stirred that mixture and measured it right away. Should I have let it sit for an hour or two before testing it ?

I don’t think that matters, since solids are occupying only a tiny portion of the water volume, reducing conductivity by blocking electrical flow, but try it if you can. I’d be glad to be wrong on that.

 

[Karliefish]

I don’t think that matters, since solids are occupying only a tiny portion of the water volume, reducing conductivity by blocking electrical flow, but try it if you can. I’d be glad to be wrong on that.

Randy is there any specific EC tester that you think does a great job?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy is there any specific EC tester that you think does a great job?

Sure, but the very best conductivity probes are expensive.

First step is to figure out what you want to measure, such as ro/di, tap water, kalkwasser, or seawater.

 

[Karliefish]

Sure, but the very best conductivity probes are expensive.

First step is to figure out what you want to measure, such as ro/di, tap water, kalkwasser, or seawater.

I am specifically looking to measure kalkwasser

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I am specifically looking to measure kalkwasser

For general purpose use, I use a recommend a fairly high end conductivity meter that uses a 4 electrode probe. Some folks find types like the Orion 128 I use on eBay, but other brands are also likely fine.

On the cheaper end, I’ve used the Pinpoint conductivity probe and it works well, just is slower to come to a reading.

PINPOINT® Salinity Monitor User's Guide

American Marine is proud to introduce PINPOINT® Salinity Monitor, the only truly accurate and affordable Salinity measurement system. A 9-volt battery should be used for intermittent or field use while a PINPOINT® AC Adapter Kit can also be installed. Battery replacement is visually indicated on...

americanmarineusa.com

Many folks seem to have issue with the Hanna and I’m not sure why.

 

[Karliefish]

For general purpose use, I use a recommend a fairly high end conductivity meter that uses a 4 electrode probe. Some folks find types like the Orion 128 I use on eBay, but other brands are also likely fine.

On the cheaper end, I’ve used the Pinpoint conductivity probe and it works well, just is slower to come to a reading.

PINPOINT® Salinity Monitor User's Guide

American Marine is proud to introduce PINPOINT® Salinity Monitor, the only truly accurate and affordable Salinity measurement system. A 9-volt battery should be used for intermittent or field use while a PINPOINT® AC Adapter Kit can also be installed. Battery replacement is visually indicated on...

americanmarineusa.com

Many folks seem to have issue with the Hanna and I’m not sure why.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question…going to start with the Pinpoint