Salifert Calcium Test - Regent 2 drops vs. Syringe value

[DeepBlueSeaV1]

I've used salifert test kits for years... Recently, I've been paying closer and closer attention to details on how I perform tests for more reliable and consistent test results.

Observation - the salifert calcium test, regent 2 bottle drops are awful for consistency sake as careful as I can be. It spits out small drops, large drops, double drops. Last couple of weeks, I've actually started measuring the drops first and sucking them up into a 1ml syringe with the tip on. Seem's to me I've been averaging about .7ml (tip on, so it's actually more maybe .09ml of regent 2.

Any way, I've done back to back tests with my new regent 2 syringe measurement and 'drops' out of the bottle and it seems reliable and more consistent between tests using this method.

Anyone else doing this? If so, what's your regent 2 dose?

 

[lavoisier]

Interesting question. I'll be curious in what folks have to say,

 

[Softhammer]

I always flip the container and burp a few drops out on a towel until they stop falling out on their own, then count out the 10 drops. It’s always the initial bottle flip that screws up my drop consistency.

 

[CNDReef]

I’d love to know from salifert what’s the actual amount so I could use a syringe as well. Those drops very to much and I seam to mess up on the last few all the time

 

[Retro Reefer]

I always flip the container and burp a few drops out on a towel until they stop falling out on their own, then count out the 10 drops. It’s always the initial bottle flip that screws up my drop consistency.

THIS ^^^^

 

[Habib(Salifert)]

I've used salifert test kits for years... Recently, I've been paying closer and closer attention to details on how I perform tests for more reliable and consistent test results.

Observation - the salifert calcium test, regent 2 bottle drops are awful for consistency sake as careful as I can be. It spits out small drops, large drops, double drops. Last couple of weeks, I've actually started measuring the drops first and sucking them up into a 1ml syringe with the tip on. Seem's to me I've been averaging about .7ml (tip on, so it's actually more maybe .09ml of regent 2.

Any way, I've done back to back tests with my new regent 2 syringe measurement and 'drops' out of the bottle and it seems reliable and more consistent between tests using this method.

Anyone else doing this? If so, what's your regent 2 dose?

I’d love to know from salifert what’s the actual amount so I could use a syringe as well. Those drops very to much and I seam to mess up on the last few all the time

Hi, the amount (almost) doesn't matter. For that reagent (Ca-2) a minimum amount is needed. That would be typically 5 drops. But that would be borderline so an additional amount of 5 drops are added to make sure the test functions properly.

Therefore the drop size is not important. And yes, the typical drop size is approx. 0.08 ml.

For those interested, swirl a second or two after each drop of Ca-2. You should notice that at about 5 drops the solution turns pink. That is, the lowest pH required for the test to perform has been attained (but borderline/critical). I highly advise to use 10 drops and fully ignore the dropsize.

HTH

 

[Retro Reefer]

Hi, the amount (almost) doesn't matter. For that reagent (Ca-2) a minimum amount is needed. That would be typically 5 drops. But that would be borderline so an additional amount of 5 drops are added to make sure the test functions properly.

Therefore the drop size is not important. And yes, the typical drop size is approx. 0.08 ml.

For those interested, swirl a second or two after each drop of Ca-2. You should notice that at about 5 drops the solution turns pink. That is the lowest pH required for the test to perform has been attained. But I highly advise to use 10 drops and fully ignore the dropsize.

HTH

fantastic! I wish this information was included in the instructions, I have waisted a lot of time over the years trying to make sure I was adding exactly 10 drops.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’d love to know from salifert what’s the actual amount so I could use a syringe as well. Those drops very to much and I seam to mess up on the last few all the time

In a calcium test,nothing need be precise except the tank water and the titrated liquid. The other additives are already present in excess and accurate measurement is not needed.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I see Habib beat me too it.

Welcome back Habib!

 

[CNDReef]

fantastic! I wish this information was included in the instructions, I have waisted a lot of time over the years trying to make sure I was adding exactly 10 drops.

I stopped using the Salifert calcium because of it. Was a pain to keep those drops uniform lol. Ordering a new set today

 

[taricha]

For those interested in dropper accuracy, you're in luck.
@Rick Mathew has an article on testing accuracy https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/getti...count-by-using-a-quality-system-approach.741/

and part 2 (I think it's 2) which hasn't posted yet quantifies statistically how bad droppers can be, how to use them better, and more accurate alternatives.

(Granted it will not affect this particular test)

 

[Beau_B]

Just want to bump this up for people (like me) who didn’t know, and have been frustrated by the drops lately!