salt water calcium kit

[ineke]

I just bought a calcium kit but didn't realise it was a salt water test- can this be used for fresh water does anyone know? If not I will see if I can take it back.

Just spoke to LFS and apparently you can use the salt water one for fresh but you cant use the fresh water for salt water- as they have marine tanks there I guess they would know so problem sorted- if I knew how to delete this post I would sorry

[BlueBolts]

As saltwater have less Ca then marine, depending on your Ca level, you may need to dilute the test

The API Ca Test Kit Instructions..

5ml

Bottle 1 - 10 Drops

Bottle 2 - 1 Drop - 20ppm

If your Ca is <20ppm, instead of a 5ml, a 20ml can be used, thus...

20ml

Bottle 1 - 10 Drops

Bottle 2 - 1 Drop - 5ppm

Gives you a more accurate reading..

[ineke]

thanks BB so I do the first test then if it is less than 20ppm I do the the test again using the larger quantity of water?

[BlueBolts]

thanks BB so I do the first test then if it is less than 20ppm I do the the test again using the larger quantity of water?

I would just go for the 20ml test....much more accurate reading, plus makes a huge difference with 5ppm

[ineke]

Great thanks. I think my cherry tanks must be OK because they look good and baby survival rate it fantastic in fact I wish it was less:) My Crystals and Mishling/TB tanks don't seem to be as good and the colour is not vibrant so they will be the tanks I concentrate on also don't have a great baby survival rate in the Mishling tank well more they haven't been breeding but two girls berried now. I will try and work it out my self but will post my results so you can just check it for me if that's OK. won't be until later tonight or tomorrow as we are still cleaning up after painting:)

[Squiggle]

As saltwater have less Ca then marine..

Hmmmmm' date=' I did not know that BB, baaaahahaha!

Too funny dude!

[BlueBolts]

Hmmmmm' date=' I did not know that BB, baaaahahaha!

Too funny dude!

Damn…that's the second time this week too :o Replace saltwater with freshwater :encouragement:

[ineke]

:confused:totally confused:confused:

Gh 6 in 5ml test tube

GH 6x 17.86=107.16

Ca 7 in 20ml

Ca 7 x 5ppm = 35ppm x 2.5= 87.5

Mg=((107.16)-(87.5))= 19.66

19.66/4.1 =4.79

I'm lost now what number of the Ca test do I use the 7 or the 87.5 and what percentage is this.:confused::( God no wonder I was so bad at drug calculations I get lost as soon as fractions come into anything- bit of a worry when I had peoples lives in my hands- it's ok it was always double checked by another RN:D

i won't worry about the other tank until someone deciphers this for me:(

http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y462/staffpicks/Animated_GIFs/dophin.gif' alt='dophin.gif'>

Waiting waiting waiting

[Squiggle]

You've got it right Ineke, you use the ppm value to work it out & 87.5 is correct, your ratio would be 4.79:1 which is a little high, you need to add some magnesium next WC to bring it down to between 3-4:1. The calcium should ideally be about 20ppm :encouragement:

[ineke]

Thanks Squiggs so Mg is Epsom salts, this is a 100 litre tank (110 but I allowed for the substrate) I will try and work it out but may (probably do) need some help figuring out how to change it. I will go and do the other tank now . Thanks

[ineke]

So my big 210 litre tank has the same reading I would hazard a guess that there is about 180 litres of water as I haven't got it filled right to the top to stop my pesky but adorable Tibees from climbing out. Will go back and read all the info and see if a light bulb will pop into my head and help me understand what I am supposed to do. Wish me luck

[Squiggle]

Yeah it's Epsom salts & what I would do is when you do your next WC I would put a bit less SaltyShrimp & then top the TDS up with a pinch or two of Epsom salts to get the ratio back up & then you'll still have to correct TDS as well. :victorious:

When I mix up 100L for my WC I do about 3-4 scoops of SaltyShrimp & 1 scoop of Mg & then check the TDS, it's usually just about right. :encouragement:

[BlueBolts]

If your GH = 6, Ca = 35 and Mg = 4.8, your GH:Mg ratio is 7.3:1.

Before adding Mg, check your TDS, as adding Mg will raise your GH/TDS, and you may have to introduce Mg via a WC, rather then adding it directly….

[Squiggle]

Doh, forgot about that part of the equation, thanks for the correction BB. :encouragement: This is why I never did any good at chemistry, I'd always forget the last part of equations, lol :stupid:

[ineke]

My TDS in both tanks on Thursday was 165 I have taken it up slowly over the last month from 140 as I noted TDS was a bit higher in some of both BB 's and Squiggs tanks. I can bring it down a bit say to 150 over the next two weeks if necessary. My GH and KH readings have remained stable at 6 and 2 respectively since starting to use RO and salty shrimp in Feb this year.

i don't understand how you got that ratio of 7.3:1 but I don't really need to know now I have it.:)

[Squiggle]

35 divided by 4.8 = 7.3, so therefore 7.3 parts Ca to 1 part Mg. I think the TDS is fine, the reason I said to use less SaltyShrimp is because, as BB said, adding Epsom salts will raise TDS & GH. :encouragement:

[ineke]

It's so easy when you know how- thanks Squiggs , next time I'm at buntings I will get some Mg and just add a bit to the water at water change time. I don't have a large storage tank and mix my salts to a bucket of water as I need it. I mix it to slightly under what the tank is because the salts never completely dissolve. I guess I better check my cherry tanks to but I might not change them as the shrimp look great and the baby survival rate is excellent too so they are coping well in their water but if the mg/ ca ratio is the same as the other two tanks I might adjust it a little- I think if it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Squiggle]

I get "Fauldings" brand from the pharmacy or Coles, it's in a blue box & it has no perfumes in it. I always mix my water up using an airstone on full & leave it for about 10mins, usually nothing left in the bottom. :victorious:

[ineke]

Thanks Squiggs I will get the Fauldings one that's easier than going to Bunnings. I bought another pump today- got a big one yesterday -so I can run an airstone as that will be easier than going back to the bucket and stirring all the time.

[poeticwinter]

just got my tester too.

its 5 ml bottle. wonder what best Calcium for shrimp? and also ive been 10 drops and 22 drops. I think its still slightly purple not total blue. picture below. What do you think need more drop?

Since first drop is already light purple though, never been pink? as i watched youtube it should be pink in first drop?

MY TDS still not arrive :(

but i did have Calcium and magnesium powder from LFS already dunno how to use it though haha

[ineke]

Try and work out the figures to get your ratios. I have heaps of calcium and still need to add the magnesium to my tanks. Trouble is the tanks I tested have a lot of berried shrimp in them and I'm a bit worried to change anything at this stage. It's one thing to know what you have but playing around with additives is not to be taken lightly. I still want to add the magnesium but I have to take another good look at how to add it and how much to add. I'm a bit wary at the moment but I will do it just by adding a little at a time until I get the ratio right but I'm going to test it on a cull tank first :)

[hoang1912]

are u using RO+ salty mineral? it have to be pink in the first drop, if ur 1st drop get blue mean that u dont have Ca :)).

Try to take 20 ml to a small bow or sth like that, put 10 drop of 1st bottle, mix it then using the 2nd bottle for counting drops. Let see how's it going.

[poeticwinter]

no i never using Salty mineral. I did add 10 drops from 1st bottle, and counting drops with bottle 2the only think i have is only mineral stone, that probably added to the tank already about 2-3months ago. odd enough i just leave it on the table after do the test for a while and it change now to pink? so confusing

are u using RO+ salty mineral? it have to be pink in the first drop, if ur 1st drop get blue mean that u dont have Ca :)). Try to take 20 ml to a small bow or sth like that, put 10 drop of 1st bottle, mix it then using the 2nd bottle for counting drops. Let see how's it going.