Testing concentration of two part mix?

reefguyty · Jul 8, 2017

Hello all,

Does anyone know if there is a way to test the concentration of the Ca and ALK mixtures? I have started using the DIY mixture with baking soda and I would like to test the potency of what I make. Should I just use my hanna tester and is there an optimal level I should be looking for? Any idea about ideal levels for Ca?

I suppose I should just use the same proportions when I'm mixing it every time but I think it would be useful if I could check the concentration.

Thanks!

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 9, 2017

If you are making it, don't you know the concentration? lol

That said, yes, you can test them with alk and calcium kits (not sure on the Hanna alk). You need to dilute them before testing, and the dilution steps multiply the inaccuracy with each dilution (since you can't be sure you are measuring liquid volumes perfectly).

SashimiTurtle · Jul 9, 2017

The red sea pro cal and alk tests tell you how much titratant is how much ppm Ca or dKH Alk. You can keep going past 1ml titratant, you'll just have to do the math to see what the abrupt number is. Idk what the accuracy is that far out on the scale.

The Hanna alk checker maxes out at 20 dKH... tested that myself. It just flashes 20 with alk solution in the curvete.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 10, 2017

Robin Haselden said:
The red sea pro cal and alk tests tell you how much titratant is how much ppm Ca or dKH Alk. You can keep going past 1ml titratant, you'll just have to do the math to see what the abrupt number is. Idk what the accuracy is that far out on the scale.

The Hanna alk checker maxes out at 20 dKH... tested that myself. It just flashes 20 with alk solution in the curvete.

Not a good idea. You'll use up a whole kit. Calcium should be 37,000 ppm and alkalinity should be 5,300 dKH, assuming you are following my DIY such as BRS sells).

SashimiTurtle · Jul 10, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Not a good idea. You'll use up a whole kit. Calcium should be 37,000 ppm and alkalinity should be 5,300 dKH, assuming you are following my DIY such as BRS sells).

I never said it was a good idea... it's just doable.