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Ca & Mg Titration Test Always High


TaterTot24

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I have had my 20g tank up and going for about 14 months and I have just started to keep some SPS....

 

I have always used the Red Sea Titration tests for Ca and Mg, but they never really seem to do me any good.

 

For the Ca test, I always use the full 1ml titrant syringe before it turns blue and I have tried the test about 3 times today with the same results (that equates to about 500ppm). No matter how slow or fast I do the test, it has ALWAYS been the same. It has always been this way since I got the tank up and running, but I never really worried about it because just thought I did not have enough coral to use up the calcium.

 

The Mg test is the same way. I used almost 0.90ml of the titrant before it turns blue, which is actually off the Red Sea scale (0.80ml = 1600 ppm). Same thing goes for this test, I have done it 50 times or more since I have gotten the tank up and running and it always reads this way.

 

Now I have watched the Res Sea videos on how to do the Titration tests and I feel like I am doing it correctly AND my test kits are not expired. I am using Kalkwasser in my ATO, but I am only doing 1/2 teaspoon per gallon in my ATO (6 gallon ATO = 3 tsp) and that last me about 2.5 weeks.

 

If we are going by these test, my Ca is close to 500ppm and my Mg is over 1600ppm --> Can this be right? Is it bad that these numbers are this high? How do I get them down?

 

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Test a newly mixed batch a saltwater. To compare against, when mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025, you should be able to find the typical parameters of your mix on the web. If these numbers are more in line with what you want, water changes will help bring the parameters back in line.

You might want to consider phasing out the use of kalk until you gain more control over your levels. Also, do you use RO/DI or tap water (which would already contain minerals)?

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I am using Red Sea Coral Pro salt and using RO/DI with filters that have been changed about 2 months ago. I have not always used the Kalkwasser, but I have always gotten these readings.

 

It is a good idea to test a freshly mixed bucket. I will try that and see what happens. I just need to find what the correct readings should be...

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Tested a freshly mixed bucket today and I am having the same problems...

 

With the Ca test, I used the whole 1ml and it never even tried to turn blue... So I guess that is actually worse...

 

What in the world am I doing wrong??? I watched the Red Sea video again, and I am doing everything exactly like they are doing... even reading the syringe correctly.

 

 

I reffilled the syringe with titrant just to see how much it would take and the end result was 1.15ml for it to turn blue... So that is a Ca reading of 575 ppm (.01ml titrant = 5 ppm Ca)

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Try Salifert. Red Sea tests used to be worse than API, they changed to titration and everyone went crazy for them for some reason. Salifert is much more consistent.

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I have a feeling that I am doing something wrong since both the Ca and Mg test are reading so high, but when I do the Alk test (also a titration test) I get numbers that match my Hanna checker.

 

I will admit that I am probably messing something up, but I have no idea what...

 

Next time I am at my LFS, I guess I will pick up a Salifert test

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I have been searching all afternoon and I have found the issue!!!!

 

My Ca "B Reagent" has been recalled.... It is lot/batch# 2123

 

thanks to this almost 2 year old thread --> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2307757&page=2

 

Now I just need to figure out about the Mg test....

 

 

EDIT:

I just sent an email over to Red Sea with a list of all of my Lot numbers for all my reagents. I will post back here what they say. I know for sure that the Ca reagent was bad from that thread, but I am 110% sure there is a problem with the Mg test as well.

 

Does anyone else think it was a little ridiculous that I had to find out about the recall from PAGE 2 of an almost 2 year old thread on some random forum? :rolleyes:

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Your calcium might be high, I had a similar issue when my RO unit membrane ran out and my RO had some free carbonate in it, I live in a very hard water area. most Magnesium tests are affected by high or low (<300, >500) calcium readings and it's probably throwing your results there. High calcium doesn't overly affect fish or coral so it's difficult to notice from observation

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Just out of curiosity, when you are doing this test kits. where are you bringing the fluid to what mark on the syringe?

the fluid should not be at the 1 ml mark.

the rubber on the syringe should be at the 1 mark.

there should be an air bubble inside

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Yeah I followed the directions on the test kit and on the video. So I am looking at the very end of the rubber stopper and not the fluid level. Thanks for looking out for me though!

 

The problem was the recalled reagent with the CA test. Still waiting to hear on the Mg test.

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LebaneseDlight

Just out of curiosity, when you are doing this test kits. where are you bringing the fluid to what mark on the syringe?

the fluid should not be at the 1 ml mark.

the rubber on the syringe should be at the 1 mark.

there should be an air bubble inside

 

Just to confirm what I understand, the fluid of both saltwater and the syringe of reagent should be at the rubber stopper, right? And is this the case for all Red Sea tests or just the titration?

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Just to confirm what I understand, the fluid of both saltwater and the syringe of reagent should be at the rubber stopper, right? And is this the case for all Red Sea tests or just the titration?

No, read the quote again.

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LebaneseDlight

I read the quote right. My question is should the rubber stopper by on the line for both syringes, the reagent and the saltwater syringes? or is this just the case with the reagent's syringe. And, also, is this the case with all Red Sea tests.

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I read the quote right. My question is should the rubber stopper by on the line for both syringes, the reagent and the saltwater syringes? or is this just the case with the reagent's syringe. And, also, is this the case with all Red Sea tests.

 

Ok my bad.

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A syringe is always read by the bottom (closest to the fluid) of the rubber stopper/plunger no matter what you are measuring.

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