Salifert Test kits

[Joesmoe45]

How accurate are Salifert kits? Just got a new set and ran the test:

PH 8.0
Nitrates 0 (ran 2x)
Phosphates 0 (ran 2x)
Calcium 375
Magnesium 1125
KH/ALK 7.0

Salinity 1.025

Upgraded tank 2 weeks ago (IM 15 Cube). New CaribSea Sand, Moved LR and Corals 2 clown fish. Added 2 doses of Microbe-Lift Special Blend 1 week apart. All corals look great, very slight diatoms on sand.

Using Reef Cystals with distilled water. Doing weekly water changes 1.5 gallons. Planning to start dosing All in Reef but may have to also raise Magnium and Calcium. Thought this would have been fine with frequent water changes.

 

[rtparty]

I’ve got a feeling your refractometer is off. With all of the big 3 being low, that says salinity is likely low

 

[NanoSteam]

They are fairly accurate in my experience minus their ammonia kit which is useless so I agree with @rtparty ... may want to check your refractometer in case you're mixing low.

 

[Joesmoe45]

Thank you will check in the morning. I recently calibrated it but does the calibration fluid expire?

 

[NanoSteam]

Thank you will check in the morning. I recently calibrated it but does the calibration fluid expire?

I've never found a reliable off the shelf calibration product... I tried 3 and all 3 were slightly different. Sure fire way is to make your own using Randy's method https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/reef-aquarium-salinity-diy-calibration-standards.956/

 

[rishma]

^agree, diy calibration solution is worth the effort.

 

[Joesmoe45]

I calibrated my refractor based on Randy’s Method.

3.65 grams table salt
96.35 grams purified water (used bottled distilled)

After calibrating to 1.026 the tank measured 1.024. Slightly low but do you think this difference would cause the lower Magnesium, Calcium, KH/ALK?

Assuming I followed Randy’s method correctly.

Thoughts on Nitrates and Phosphates being zero? Wondering if this is caused by the Microbe-Lift Special Blend depleting the system. Wondering if this if I should dose of feed heavier.

 

[EnterName]

I calibrated my refractor based on Randy’s Method.

3.65 grams table salt
96.35 grams purified water (used bottled distilled)

After calibrating to 1.026 the tank measured 1.024. Slightly low but do you think this difference would cause the lower Magnesium, Calcium, KH/ALK?

Assuming I followed Randy’s method correctly.

Thoughts on Nitrates and Phosphates being zero? Wondering if this is caused by the Microbe-Lift Special Blend depleting the system. Wondering if this if I should dose of feed heavier.

Magnesium tests are prone to error if I remember correctly. I don't remember the exact chemical reasons, but I think Randy regularly recommends dosing a balanced system like AFR, 2 or 3-part, etc. and orient yourself on alkalinity. This usually keeps Calcium, Magnesium and alkalinity stable for a long time.

If that tank is fairly new, low nutrient levels are very common. All the bacteria, and algae growth without much nutrient import keeps them low. New rocks and substrate might also take a while until they are saturated with phosphate to allow for phosphate levels to increase in a tank.

Coincidentally, I'm currently working with JonasRoman to take a closer look how much new dry sand actually affects phosphate levels:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...sphate-binding-kinetics.1138371/post-14092679

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I calibrated my refractor based on Randy’s Method.

3.65 grams table salt
96.35 grams purified water (used bottled distilled)

After calibrating to 1.026 the tank measured 1.024. Slightly low but do you think this difference would cause the lower Magnesium, Calcium, KH/ALK?

Assuming I followed Randy’s method correctly.

Thoughts on Nitrates and Phosphates being zero? Wondering if this is caused by the Microbe-Lift Special Blend depleting the system. Wondering if this if I should dose of feed heavier.

A calcium level of 375 ppm at sg = 1.024 will become a calcium level of 26/24 *375 = 406 ppm.

I don't recommend dosing magnesium based on testing:

Just say NO to magnesium testing: RMM is born

OK, this thread has been many years in the making, and I'm posting it here since folks in the chem forum are probably already tired of all the threads relating to problematic magnesium testing. I'm going to propose a method, let's call it the Randy Magnesium Method, or RMM for short. All good...

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