salifert alkalinity directions

Hendersonracing · 06-29-2006, 04:14 PM

I finally checked my Alkalinity on my tank....its the salifert alkalinity test...where you put the drops in and the water changes color from blue to pink to get the proper reading....it came up .40 whick I think is low???? does anyone else use this test kit and can tell me what I need to do or add????/ my ph is 8.3 ammonia 0 nitrates @ 5 nitrites are 0 thanks in advance for any help....I also have the calcium test kit which Ill check on tonight!!!

whatevva · 06-29-2006, 04:31 PM

I'd do the test a second time to be sure it was accurate. Make sure that you leave the air bubble in the syringe. The fluid line should be at around .85 with the tip installed. Then check calcium before you consider any adjustments.

Mike O'Brien · 06-29-2006, 04:43 PM

That's a perfect reading in my book. 9.6 dkh.

whatevva · 06-29-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

That's a perfect reading in my book. 9.6 dkh.

Yep! Depends on what you're looking for. I shoot for 13.0 dkh

Hendersonracing · 06-29-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatevva

I'd do the test a second time to be sure it was accurate. Make sure that you leave the air bubble in the syringe. The fluid line should be at around .85 with the tip installed. Then check calcium before you consider any adjustments.

HOW DO YOU DO THE AIR BUBBLE??? I filled mine up to 1.0 ml it said to use the drops til it turns from blue to pink....I had .40 where the black part of the surrenge was thats what it said to test from....that was for alkalinity...I still have to do my calcium reading later??? I bought some calcium builder and some alkalinity builder but everyone says not to use them do it natural....I just want my reading to be right????

whatevva · 06-29-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

HOW DO YOU DO THE AIR BUBBLE??? I filled mine up to 1.0 ml it said to use the drops til it turns from blue to pink....I had .40 where the black part of the surrenge was thats what it said to test from

It should just be there. When you fill the syringe, and pull the plunger back to 1.0 ml, look at where the fluid is at inside. It should be at the .85 mark because .15 ml are in the tip. Some people have made the mistake of pushing out all the air and filling the fluid to the 1.0 ml line. This will give you a lower result.

Hendersonracing · 06-29-2006, 05:20 PM

cool we will be adding stuff very shortly and want the tank parameters good! so whats low? and do you guys add anything to your coral tanks?

Hendersonracing · 06-29-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike O'Brien

That's a perfect reading in my book. 9.6 dkh.

I think the book called for 8.0 dkh? which means typically Id have to much alkalinity right???? If that was the case would I lower It or keep it there???sorry so many ???/just trying to figure this out on calc and alka????

Wiskey · 06-29-2006, 05:43 PM

Personally I run my ALK at 8 and my CA at about 425.

Alk of 8-11 is acceptable, but balance your CA to your alk, and have your mag around 1300 to help stablize them.

HTH,
Whiskey

drsyme · 06-29-2006, 06:03 PM

Dont worry about the bubble, that is just too confusing. As long as the tip is completely submerged the entire time you draw liquid into the syringe you will be ok, then pull the black line up to the 1.0 mark, and read it from the black line.

You want your alkalinity

2.5 - 4 meq/L or 7 - 11 dKH or 125 - 200 ppm CaCO₃ equivalents

And
Calcium:
380 – 450 ppm calcium ion or 950 - 1125 ppm CaCO₃ equivalents

Once you are within that range you can maintain it with a two part buffer, or by using kalkwasser. I drip in kalkwasser with water change water, it is, imo the superior method to maintain calcium and alkalinity once they are in balance. If they are out of balance then you add baking soda to raise alkalinity if it is low relative to calcium, and you add calcium chloride if it is low relative to alkalinity.

Or you could look it up here:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Hendersonracing · 06-29-2006, 06:10 PM

thanks alot....Im going to read and try to figure this stuff out...

tashier · 08-09-2006, 01:55 PM

Those tests are confusing sometimes

Hendersonracing · 08-09-2006, 02:09 PM

yes they are I never could get my calcium seachem kit to work last night?
I guess Im not a chemist

whatevva · 08-09-2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Don't worry about the bubble, that is just too confusing.

I would very much worry about the bubble. Just as a test, draw fluid in a few times and notice the difference each time. If the syringe is dry, the level should be directly at the 0.75 mark (yes I said .85 before, I was incorrect). Then let the fluid out and draw it in again and look. I'll bet you're at 0.78 this time or even more! That .03 difference is .5 dKh! I know...I'm the alkalinity Nazi

Schwaggs · 08-09-2006, 05:13 PM

drsyme is right, push the plunger all the way into the syringe, make sure the pointy tip is seated firmly on the end of the syringe. Submerge the end of the tip in the fluid and make sure it stays submerged. Pull the plunger out to the point where the bottom of the black rubber plunger is at the 1.0ml mark. Holding the syringe with the tip down, drip in until the color change and record the mark that is just below the black rubber plunger. Lookup the value on the chart and you will be right on.

It make no difference how big the bubble is since you are measuring the amount of fluid dispensed. Whatever the size of bubble you have when you start, you will have the same size bubble when you are done.