OK, I finally bought the Salifert CA test kit. (I had been just having the LFS run the test.) So, my question is what color is "clear blue". Would one of the colors on the PO4 test be it? If not can someone suggest a color? This smilie :rolleyes:, this one :no: or something else?

lol, not a stupid question, its left open to interpretion too much!
when u add the reagents, as soon as the colour changes to blue, that your value carmie.

instead of clear blue> think clearly blue. might help!

print this out for reference carmie

Calcium Test


(1) Add with the 5 ml syringe 3 ml of water in the test vial. For a lower resolution and more tests per kit add 1.5 mI instead of 3 mI.

(2) Add 6 drops of Ca-l to the water in the test vial and swirl gently for 10 seconds. For low resolution, use 3 instead of 6 drops.

(3) Add 1 spoon of Ca-2 (low resolution approx. 1/2 spoon) and swirl for 5 seconds.

(4) Put the plastic tip firmly on the 1 ml syringe and draw into the syringe the CA-3 reagent (ensure that the end of the plastic tip is constantly submersed in the Ca- 3 reagent) till the lower end of the black part of the piston is exactly at the 1.00 ml mark. There will be some air present just below the piston. This is the air, which was present between the end of the plastic tip and the piston. This will not influence the test result.

(5) Add dropwise with the 1 ml syringe the Ca-3 reagent to the water in the test tube. Swirl after each drop a second or two. Continue with this until the color changes from pink-red to a clear blue color.

(6) Hold the syringe with the tip facing upward and read the position of the (now the upper end) black part of the piston. The syringe has graduations of 0.01 ml. Read the calcium value from the table or calculate as follows:

ppm Ca = (1 - reading in step 6) x 500

If you have chosen for the lower resolution multiply the calculated result by 2. Natural sea water contains 425 - 450 ppm calcium.



Warning: Ca-l reagent contains sodium hydroxide and is strongly irritating to skin and eyes. In case of contact with skin wash with plenty of water. In case of contact with the eyes wash with plenty of water and consult a physician immediately.



Calcium & KH/Alkanlinity
Ca: If you took 1.5ml of water in step 1

then mulitply the calcium values by 2

KH: If you took 2 ml of water in step 2

then multiply the KH and alkalinity values by 2

(Ca: Step 6 KH: Step 5)







ml’s Ca ppm KH/dKH Alk meq/L

0.00…….500….…16.0…….5.71

0.02….…490…….15.7…….5.60

0.04….…480…….15.4…….5.49

0.06…….470…….15.0…….5.37

0.08…….460…….14.7…….5.26

0.10…….450…….14.4…….5.14

0.12…….440…….14.1…….5.03

0.14…….430…….13.8…….4.91

0.16…….420…….13.4…….4.80

0.18…….410…….13.1…….4.69

0.20…….400…….12.8…….4.57

0.22…….390…….12.5…….4.46

0.24…….380…….12.2…….4.34

0.26…….370…….11.8…….4.23

0.28…….360…….11.5…….4.11

0.30…….350…….11.2…….4.00

0.32…….340…….10.9…….3.89

0.34…….330…….10.6…….3.77

0.36…….320…….10.2…….3.66

0.38…….310……..9.9.…….3.54

0.40…….300……..9.6.…….3.43

0.42…….290……..9.3.…….3.31

0.44…….280……..9.0.…….3.20

0.46…….270……..8.6.…….3.09

0.48…….260……..8.3.…….2.97

0.50…….250……..8.0.…….2.86

0.52…….240……..7.7.…….2.74

0.54…….230……..7.4.…….2.63

0.56…….220……..7.0.…….2.51

0.58…….210……..6.7.…….2.40

0.60…….200……..6.4.…….2.29

0.62…….190……..6.1.…….2.17

0.64…….180……..5.8.…….2.06

0.66…….170……..5.4.…….1.94

0.68…….160……..5.1.…….1.83

0.70…….150……..4.8……..1.71

0.72…….140……..4.5.…….1.60

0.74…….130……..4.2.…….1.49

0.76…….120……..3.8.…….1.37

0.78…….110……..3.5.…….1.26

0.80…….100……..3.2.…….1.14

0.82……..90………2.9.…….1.03

0.84……..80………2.6.…….0.91

0.86……..70………2.2.…….0.80

0.88……..60………1.9.…….0.69

0.90……..50………1.6.…….0.57

0.92……..40………1.3.…….0.46

0.94……..30………1.0.…….0.34

0.96……..20………0.6.…….0.23

0.98……..10………0.3.…….0.11





KH/Alkalinity Test


(1) Add with the 5 ml syringe 4 ml of water in the test vial. For a lower resolution and more tests per kit add 2 instead of 4 ml.

(2) Shake the KH-Ind dropping bottle a few times and add 2 drops in the test vial (1 drop for the low resolution mode).

(3) Put the plastic tip firmly on the 1 mI syringe and draw into the syringe the KH reagent (ensure that the end of the plastic tip is constantly submersed in the KH reagent) till the lower end of the black part of the piston is exactly at the 1.00 ml mark. There will be some air present just below the piston. This is the air, which was present between the end of the plastic tip and the piston. This will not influence the test result.

(4) Add dropwise with the 1 mI syringe the KH reagent to the water in the test tube. Swirl after each drop a second or two. Continue with this until the color changes from blue/green to an orange-red or pink color (whichever color is observed first).

(5) Hold the syringe with the tip facing upward and read the position of the (now the upper end) black part of the piston. The syringe has graduations of 0.01 ml. Read the KH or alkalinity value from the table or calculate as follows:

KH in dKH = (1 - reading in step 5) x 16

AIk in meq/L = (1 - reading in step 5) x 5.71

If you have chosen for the lower resolution multiply the calculated result by 2.

Natural sea water has a KH of 8 dKH or alkalinity of 2.9 meq/L.



Note: The KH-Ind reagent contains a dye. Avoid spilling the dye on fabric and other materials since they may become stained. Keep out of reach of children. Not for consumption.


pH

Instructions:

1. Add with syringe 5ml of water in the test tube.

2. Add with the dropping bottle pH 4 drops and swirl gently for 10 seconds.

3. Put the open test tube on the white part of the color chart. View from above and read the corresponding pH value. It might be possible that the color is in between two different ones, then the pH value is as well in between the two corresponding values.



Phosphate Test

(1) Add with the syringe 10 ml of water in the test vial.

(2) Add to this 4 drops of PO4-1 reagent and swirl the test vial gently for 10 seconds.

(3) Add to this 1 level scoop of PO4-2 reagent and swirl the contents gently for 30 seconds.

(4) Place the open test vial on top of the color chart on a part of the chart, which is white, and compare the colors looking from the top. Read the corresponding phosphate content. An intermediate color corresponds to an intermediate phosphate content. The phosphate values are in ppm phosphate. If you prefer a reading in ppm Phosphate - Phosphor then divide the reading by 3 or use the table given below

ppm phosphate ppm phosphate-phosphor

0.03 (good) 0.01

0.10 (critical) 0.03

0.25 (coral growth retarded) 0.08

0.50 0.17

1.00 0.33

3.00 1.00

Higher Sensitivity
Should you require an even higher sensitivity, then double the water sample and the reagents. The scale should then be divided by 2.



Note: Erroneous results might be obtained when the carbonate hardness is higher than 20 dKH. This corresponds to an alkalinity of 7 meq/L. Normally the carbonate hardness is well below the mentioned values.

Warning: Reagent PO4-1 contains dilute mineral acid and is irritating to the eyes and skin. In case of contact with skin, rinse immediately with plenty of water. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek immediately medical advice. Keep out of reach of children. Not for consumption. If swallowed contact a physician immediately

Nitrate Test


Medium range procedure: 2 - 100 mg/L (ppm)

(1) Fill test tube with 1 ml of water.

(2) Add 1 level scoop NO3-1.

(3) Add 1 level scoop NO3-3 (NO3-2 is omitted in this procedure) and swirl gently for 30 seconds.

(4) Let it stand for 3 minutes.

(5) Place the test tube on a white part of the color chart and compare colors looking from the top. If the color corresponds to a value significantly lower than 10 mg/L try using the low range procedure to obtain a better-resolved value.

Low range procedure: 0.2 - 10 mg/L (ppm)

(1) Fill test tube with 10 ml of water.

(2) Add 1 level scoop NO3-1

(3) Add 1 drop of NO3-2 reagent.

(4) Add level scoop of NO3-3 and swirl gently for 30 seconds.

(5) Let it stand for 3 minutes.

(6) Place the test tube on a white part of the color chart and compare colors looking from the top. Divide the values on the chart by 10!





Note: A reading, after division, of 10 mg/L (ppm) could imply that the value is higher. Use the medium range procedure in such cases. Values on the chart are in mg/L or ppm NO3. Clean test tube and scoop after use. Store this kit in a dry place. Keep-out of reach of Children!


Nitrite

Instructions:

1. Add with the syringe 1ml of water in the test vial.

2. Add to 1 level spoon of the NO2 powder. Swirl the contents of the test tube gently for 20 seconds. Allow to stand for 3 minutes.

3. Place the open test vial on top of the color chart on a part of the chart which is whiteand compare the colors looking from the top. Read the corresponding nitrite content. An intermediate color corresponds to an intermediate nitrite content.

The nitrite values are in ppm nitrite. If you prefer a reading in ppm Nitrite-Nitrogen then multiply the reading by 0.3 or use the table given below.

Higher Sensitivity

After your aquarium or garden pond has cycled you will need a much higher sensitivity. This is easily accomplished by looking through the side when comparing colors. Hole the test tube with its side against a white piece of color chart. The readings have to be divided by 10. In this way you will be able to detect 0.01 ppm as nitrite or 0.003 ppm as nitrite-nitrogen easily.

Nitrite Table
ppm Nitrite ppm Nitrite-Nitrogen
0.1 (too high) 0.03
0.2 0.06
0.4 (danger) 0.12
1.0 0.30
2.0 0.60
4.0 1.20







Iodine Test (measures iodide, iodate and iodine)



(1) Add with the syringe 4 ml of aquarium water in the small empty flask.

(2) Add to this 5 drops of I2-1 and swirl the contents of the flask for a few seconds.

(3) Add to this I2-2 dropwise. Swirl gently for a few seconds after each drop. Stop adding I2-2 when the water in the flask has a (faint) pink color. It does not matter how faint the color is. Look from above the test flask keeping a piece of white paper beneath it. Many aquarium waters will require one or two drops of I2-2. Allow to stand for 30 seconds.

(4) Add to this I2-3 drop wise. Swirl the flask gently for a few seconds after each drop. Continue adding I2-3 until the pink color has vanished completely. Add 2 more drops of I2-3 after the pink color has vanished. Swirl the flask gently for a few seconds. Cap the flask and shake the flask for 30 - 40 seconds. Proceed then within 30 seconds with the next step.

(5) Add to this 5 drops of I2-4 and with the plastic pipette 0.5 ml (= mark halfway the stem) of I2-5. Close the flasks immediately.

(6) Shake the test flask very strongly for 30 seconds. Allow it to stand for one more minute. A small layer of liquid will appear on top of the water layer. The coloration of the uppermost liquid layer is a measure for the iodine content.

(7) Hold the test flask in front of you and keep the cap closed. Look through the side of the vial and compare the color of the upper liquid layer with that of the color chart. Hold a white piece (in between the 3 or 4 colors) of the color chart approx. 1 inch behind the test vial. The values on the color chart are in ppm iodide.



Note: Natural seawater contains approx. 0.06 ppm iodine as iodide and iodate. Salifert's Iodine contains both of them in the correct ratio.

Warning: Reagent I2-5 is inflammable. Keep away from fire and store in a cool place.


Ammonia

Instructions:

1. Add with 5ml syringe 1 ml of water in the test vial.

2. Add 6 drops of NH3-1 (watch out caustic!) and swirl gently for 5 seconds.

3. Add 6 drops of NH3-2 (watch out contains Mercury salts, wash hands after use, keep away from food, see additional warning under the heading WARNING). Swirl gently for 5 seconds and allow to stand for 5 minutes.

4. Hold the test vital in front of you and look through the side of the test vial. Keep the color chart behind the test vial. Ensure that a white piece of the color chart is behind the liquid layer. The values on the color chart are in mg/L total ammonia (that is NH3 + NH4+).


Magnesium

1. Add with the 5 ml syringe 3 ml of water in the test vial.

2. Add 6 drops of Mg-1 and swirl gently for 30 seconds.

3. Add 1 spoon of Mg-2 powder (spoon inside) to test vial and swirl for 10 seconds.

4. Place the plastic tip firmly on the 1 ml syringe and draw into this Mg-3 reagent until the lower end of the black syringe part is at the 1.00 ml mark. Ensure that during this that the plastic tip is submersed in the Mg-3 reagent to avoid that air bubbles are withdrawn instead of liquid. An air layer between the liquid and the piston is normal.

This is air which was present between the end of the tip and the piston, this will not influence the result.

5. Start adding the Mg-3 reagent with the 1 ml syringe to the testvial until the color changes to gray or blue (whichever color is observed first). Do this drop wise and swirl after each drop for a second or two.

6. Hold the syringe with the tip facing upward and read the position of the upper end of the black scringe part. Each division corresponds to 0.01 ml. The magnesium concentration can be obtained from the table or by use of the following equation:

ppm Mg = (1 - reading in step 6) x 1500

Natural sea water has a magnesium concentration of approx. 1300 - 1500 ppm. The concentration varies with salinity.

Too low magnesium concentration makes maintaining correct calcium and alkalinity concentration difficult. Magnesium concentration can be increased with Salifert's magnesium.

Magnesium Table
Note: If you took 1.5 ml of water in step 1 then multiply the calcium values by 2!
Reading in ml's (step 6) Magnesium Concentration in ppm

0.00............................. 1500
0.02............................. 1470
0.04 .............................1440
0.06............................. 1410
0.08 .............................1380
0.10 .............................1350
0.12 .............................1320
0.14 .............................1290
0.16 .............................1260
0.18 .............................1230
0.20............................. 1200
0.22............................. 1170
0.24 .............................1140
0.26 .............................1110
0.28 .............................1080
0.30 .............................1050
0.32 .............................1020
0.34 ............................. 990
0.36 ............................. 960
0.38.............................. 930
0.40 ............................. 900
0.42 ............................. 870
0.44 ............................. 840
0.46 ............................. 810
0.48 ............................. 780
0.50 ............................. 750
0.52 ............................. 720
0.54.............................. 690
0.56 ............................. 660
0.58 ............................. 630
0.60 ............................. 600
0.62 ............................. 570
0.64 ............................. 540
0.66.............................. 510
0.68 ............................. 480
0.70 ............................. 450
0.72 ............................. 420
0.74.............................. 390
0.76 ............................. 360
0.78.............................. 330
0.80 ............................. 300
0.82 ............................. 270
0.84 ............................. 240
0.86 ............................. 210
0.88 ............................. 180
0.90 ............................. 150
0.92.............................. 120
0.94 ............................. 90
0.96 ............................. 60
0.98.............................. 30

great info V, thanks for posting that...

Carmie, your not after the exact "light blue"
what you are looking for is the change from the pinkish color to the blueish color, this should be a drastic change, that occurs after a drop.
again, your not after a specific color as much as the change

just a bit more background
what you are adding to the mixture is a reagent..
this is short for reactive agent.. you are adding an agent (chemical) that will cause a defined reaction. so you add the agent until you get a reaction..

HTH :)

Yeah, I understand reagents and how they work but what I am seeing is a change from pink to deep purple to midnight blue to Duke blue to the blue used on the forum. Just for the heck of it I've added the whole syringe full and only gotten to the blue used here. I think that for something to be clear "any color" you have to be able to see through it especially in a vial this small. For instance the initial pink-red color would meet my definition of clear but coffee would not.

give me about an hour or so, i will do a video for this, i think it will be helpful for lots of people

OK, thanks.

ok, its done, uploading now, will be available soon

Carmie - I also use the salifert test kits.

I use the value at the point that the reaction turns from pink to grey and then to a blue color. That's the end point for me. The color may still get darker by adding more reagent, but the "reaction" has already occurred and this is the level that you're wanting to "read out".
make sense?

wow V! Did someone pay you for that?! :)

thats a great extra in the kitty rob, its a good idea on the vid process.

and sadly no RB on the payment, unless of course it was in dounuts, then your answer's yes!:p its not my first BBQ RB, im resourceful when im not being lazy, which sadly is 99% of the time

Christi,

My problem was apparently trying to follow the directions too carefully. :) I was looking for a clear blue because that is what the directions said. Since on the other test kits that I have the exact shade is important I was looking for a bluish color that was translucent, not a purple that is almost opaque.

It seems to me that better directions would read "...until the color changes from a pink-red to a purple-blue". Maybe we should get Salifert to hire TR help clear up their directions! (I did hundreds of color change tests working in the lab.)

Add dropwise with the 1 ml syringe the Ca-3 reagent to the water in the test tube. Swirl after each drop a second or two. Continue with this until the color changes from pink-red to a clear blue color.

yeah...maybe the "clear blue" color is what caused confusion. I think they did mean in the directions that you just stop at the point where the color changes from pink-red to whatever the blue color turns out to be.

sometimes for the people that actually write up the protocols, it all seems so clear to them! :)

OK, now that I am only going to purple on my CA test I have found that my CA is about 360. So I started dosing CA and have noticed that there are a bunch of white patches covering some of the coralline on my rocks. If doesn't look like grains nor is it all over so I don't think it is precipitate. The only thing that has changed it the CA so to me it seems related. Has anyone else experienced this?

yes, this has happened to me before as well, but I wasn't quite sure what the cause was. I believe that it is the coraline algae dying, because the same thing happens if I take my pumps out and clean them...the purple turns to white.

how's your salinity? are you having any phosphate or nitrate issues?

Except fpr the fact that my CA was low everything else looks normal:
SpG 1.0255
PO4 0.03
NO3 5-10
pH 8.0

yeah...I don't know what causes that. I suspect that it may be lack of calcification (i.e. low Ca2+ levels and low alkalinity)

Good Q&A guys. I recently got those test kits too and was wondering the same thing but figured the change was what they meant, not an exact hue like in some other tests . Funny how they can be so accurate with that little syringe but not with the language in the instructions!

I also use the Sailfert ca kit. I add till the purple turns to blue. Sometimes if you hold the color up to the box you can still see purple I add 1 more drop till it is clearly blue. I think that would be a better word.(Clearly blue )instead of (clear blue). I just do it the same everytime. Also you can test it against another test kit to get an idea as to what the reading is. Hope this helps..