New Hanna Checkers.... Help Please

[BestMomEver]

I just got Hanna checkers for pH, CA, dkh, and phosphate. I used them all and got peculiar results.

pH 7.8
Ca 200
Dkh 8.2
Phos 0

The last time I tested, I used a combination of Salifert, API, and Nyos. I got...

pH 8.2
CA 410
Dkh 9.0
Phos... didn’t check

Since these tests, I dosed part A and B (last weekend). I plan on having my hubby do the
Hanna tests over again tonight (he’s a chemist, no less). But let’s assume that I did the Hanna tests correctly and the first numbers I posted are correct. I would like to raise Ca quite a bit but don’t want the pH and dkh to jump through the roof (although I think they should be a tad higher). My other question has to do with relativity. If Ca actually dropped 210 points, what would a reasonable drop in pH and dkh be? In other words, do I have a Ca issue only or is the whole system balanced but low?

As far as phos is concerned, I would like it to be a little higher. But I recently had a near complete tank die off (velvet or brook) so my bioload is light. I have four small fish in a 60 cube. I will be increasing the number of inhabitants but it will be slowly.

 

[NY_Caveman]

FWIW, I always throw out my first test with a new kit as I am getting to know how it works.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The calcium checker is in error. It is never that low. [emoji3]

 

[foxt]

Are you new to Hanna checkers? One thing to watch for is the water level in the test vial. Properly filled, the bottom of the meniscus (water level line) should be even with the white line on the cuvette. If in doubt, use a 10ml syringe to see what the proper fill looks like.

 

[BestMomEver]

The calcium checker is in error. It is never that low. [emoji3]

I sure hope so!

 

[BestMomEver]

Are you new to Hanna checkers? One thing to watch for is the water level in the test vial. Properly filled, the bottom of the meniscus (water level line) should be even with the white line on the cuvette. If in doubt, use a 10ml syringe to see what the proper fill looks like.

Thanks.... I’ll do that.

 

[BestMomEver]

Randy, do you think it’s user error? Is there a common mistake people make when doing the Ca test?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The calcium checker is freakishly sensitive to calcium in the blank, and ro/ di may not be adequate. What water did you use for the blank?

 

[NY_Caveman]

The calcium checker is freakishly sensitive to calcium in the blank, and ro/ di may not be adequate. What water did you use for the blank?

Are you suggesting distilled?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That’s what Hanna wants folks to use. Highly purified di is fine, but not all folks ro/di will be that pure.

 

[BestMomEver]

The calcium checker is freakishly sensitive to calcium in the blank, and ro/ di may not be adequate. What water did you use for the blank?

Distilled

 

[BestMomEver]

I’m gonna do them all again today and see what happens. My hubby said there was no way the Ca should read 200. He said it was user error.