titration end point
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Randy Holmes-Farley
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These color change tests drive me crazy as well since I don't seem to be able to see the color well. Once I found Randy's PH probe method of alk testing, I've used it ever since. Much easier to watch the PH meter and then read the amount of acid that was added. The math is also easy to remember once you do it a few times. Thank you @Randy Holmes-Farley for the article explaining it!
Now we just need an alternate method for the rest of the important tests. I guess Hanna is the next option.
You're welcome.
Glad you found it useful.
srad750c
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I use RedSea Pro. I go a drop or two after change. Then its for sure. I don’t worry about it being a few ppm difference. I just check to see if my Ca is between 425-450 ppm and KH is 8-10 degrees. I check 1-2 times a week. Unless I do a water change. Then I check 3-4 times that week only.
srad750c
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Been thinking about those. How do you like them. Is there a lot of calibration and maintenance involved with those?
aeras1131
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Each time you complete the test you zero the system. You have to do a few tricks with the calcium packets to use the calcium test dry reagent effectively. Overall it is dead simple, super accurate, and I would not mess with anything else. I want to get a nitrate checker next.
srad750c
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Thanks for info. Guess I will pick one of each up. I do a lot of Ca and Kh tests.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Many people find the Hanna calcium checker experience less than optimal.
billw
Acroholic in Training
Possibly the calibrated pipette they now provide alleviates that problem a bit. I can see where some would have trouble delivering a tenth of an ml of the sample. The pipette (assuming it is accurate!) leaves no doubt.
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Yes, that may help. It also seems like a suboptimal kit design overall to me to have such a huge multiplier on trace levels of calcium in the blank interfering with the actual reading.
aeras1131
Active Member
Honestly randy, I feel that the packages for the reagent for the calcium checker needs work. I have to jerry to make sure I use the product. I had inconsistent results initially as well, and it stemmed from not using the full amount of the regent. I cut the package the regent comes in so it goes right into the container. After I get all that will naturally come out of the package. I open up the back of the pouch, and complete the process putting all of the little package into the vial. After changing my process, I get consistent results. I can duplicate tests 100 times out 100. @srad750c I think you will be fine I will create some documentation for you so you can do it the same way that I can.
srad750c
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@srad750c I would not have pointed you to a product that I myself cannot use consistently and accurately. Frankly, I think there is a learning curve to figure out best practices for consistency, but once you get the hang of doing the process it is dead simple
Previous comments won’t discourage me. You’re not the only person that says they work, my local coral farm and LFS, uses them.
srad750c
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Got my Hanna checkers today, easy as pie! Why did I wait so long. I compared to RedSea test, very close readings. No more titration test kits for me. I used distilled water vs RO.
RedSea
Ca - 410 ppm
dKH - 6.4
rkpetersen
walked the sand with the crustaceans
I'm also a fan of the Hanna checkers, including the calcium checker. I bought one of the new pipettes, tried it, and went back to the 1 ml syringe with the micropipette tip, which works just as well for me and provides me with greater confidence in the amount dispensed. I also use a micro funnel to direct all of the powder from the package into the cuvette quickly and completely.
I would love to try a Hanna Nitrate Checker, maybe they'll develop one.
As far as titration endpoints, I agree with the previous comment that there is no hobbyist kit I've seen with a clearer and more accurate endpoint than the Salifert magnesium test. Far too many tests have soft endpoints with no dramatic color change ever occurring from one drop to the next.
I would love to try a Hanna Nitrate Checker, maybe they'll develop one.
As far as titration endpoints, I agree with the previous comment that there is no hobbyist kit I've seen with a clearer and more accurate endpoint than the Salifert magnesium test. Far too many tests have soft endpoints with no dramatic color change ever occurring from one drop to the next.
Tigweldpro
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@Randy Holmes-Farley
Back to the titration end points..... Red Sea Pro Magnesium test, The test starts red then turns purple then blue and nothing past blue. The card shows start is red and end is blue. I use Coralife salt that says 1,110-1250ppm mag. I have never added any mag supplement to this tank and my tests are showing 1440ppm mag. Same result twice in a row. Should I be stopping at color change from red to purple?
Is there any red sea reps on here? @randyBRS ?
Back to the titration end points..... Red Sea Pro Magnesium test, The test starts red then turns purple then blue and nothing past blue. The card shows start is red and end is blue. I use Coralife salt that says 1,110-1250ppm mag. I have never added any mag supplement to this tank and my tests are showing 1440ppm mag. Same result twice in a row. Should I be stopping at color change from red to purple?
Is there any red sea reps on here? @randyBRS ?
Randy Holmes-Farley
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Many people have issues with this kit. I'm not sure why.
What salinity are you using? The numbers they quote are for low salinity. At 35 ppt it could be what you report based on their values:
Specific Gravity: 1.021-1.023
pH: 8.2 to 8.3
Calcium: 390 to 410 ppm
Magnesium: 1,110 to 1.250 ppm
