Tested my water....Weird Results

[NWJerseyReefer]

So two days ago I tested my water and these were the results I got:

Alk:8.45
Ca:400
Mg:1350

Tonight I tested:

Alk:7.7
Ca:450
Mg:1440

I understand my Alk dropping because I haven't yet dosed this tank. But I don't understand how my Ca and Mg went up. Only thing I have done with the tank over the past 2 days was Reef Roids and feed Mysis. Haven't done a water change over the past two days either.

 

[ryeguyy84]

What test kit are you using?

 

[sfin52]

testing error?

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

What test kit are you using?

@ryeguyy84 all Safilert

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

only questionable thing I can draw from the test kit is they say airbubbles in the syringe don't effect the test which kind of loses me because clearly it will show a different value on the chart.

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

I will retest all with no airbubbles and post results

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

just retested all:

Alk:7
Ca:420
Mg:1260

Very confused at the moment

 

[saltyhog]

Air bubbles don't affect the test and should be in the tube. You measure where the syringe tip is not where the fluid is. You also draw up where the syringe tip is not the fluid level.

I will get the same result every time if I do it that way.

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

has to just be user error. Im gonna do one final test and then call it a night. I will post final results. thank you @saltyhog

 

[saltyhog]

has to just be user error. Im gonna do one final test and then call it a night. I will post final results. thank you @saltyhog

No problem. It is a little confusing at first. The movement of the syringe is what determines the amount of fluid drawn up. If it starts at zero, the syringe tip should go to the 1cc line.

The air space in the syringe represents the air/space present in the pink tip. The pink tip helps you deploy the reagent in smaller amounts for more accurate testing. Make sure there is no fluid in the pink tip when you put it on. I rinse it after use and always blow it out to make sure it's empty before use.

Try it that way and I be your results will get more consistent!

 

[NWJerseyReefer]

No problem. It is a little confusing at first. The movement of the syringe is what determines the amount of fluid drawn up. If it starts at zero, the syringe tip should go to the 1cc line.

The air space in the syringe represents the air/space present in the pink tip. The pink tip helps you deploy the reagent in smaller amounts for more accurate testing. Make sure there is no fluid in the pink tip when you put it on. I rinse it after use and always blow it out to make sure it's empty before use.

Try it that way and I be your results will get more consistent!

Last test
Alk: 7.7
Ca:420
Mg:1365

 

[Cory]

Check the expiry dates on them. Also you can make a diy alk reference sample to verify your alkalinity levels are correct.

1.135 grams of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in 1 gallon of distilled water or 0 tds ro/di = 10 dkh