Testing Error

[Cheesus]

Just want to check my logic.

I have been testing alk on this tank for the last couple weeks. It is a newish tank.

Alk is ~8.2 and I have had to dose some to get it to that. (Hanna and KH Carer)

Calc is 598? (Hanna)

I assume that this is a testing error, ive done it 3 times and have right around the same results. I would like to run my alk at about 8.5.

I have soda ash I can dose, but would like to dose AFR. AFR adds calc. Is it safe to assume these tests are testing errors?

I have never dosed calc in this tank it has no coral only fish.

Thanks!

 

[Uncle99]

I found the Hanna CA tester to always report higher than actual. I don’t use this test any longer.
I think the problem is the small sample size.
Salifert, Aquaforest, where much more reliable IMM.

Mine hanna says 613ppm when salifert says 450ppm….verified to ICP….

I dose Alk to maintain 8.5dkh and simply dose same amount CA.

 

[Cheesus]

I found the Hanna CA tester to always report higher than actual. I don’t use this test any longer.
I think the problem is the small sample size.
Salifert, Aquaforest, where much more reliable IMM.

Mine hanna says 613ppm when salifert says 450ppm….verified to ICP….

Thanks for the feedback on that. I will do a salifert test. .1ml of sample did seem very odd

 

[Uncle99]

Thanks for the feedback on that. I will do a salifert test. .1ml of sample did seem very odd

The MG test is the same.

Salifert easy easy to do and read.

Good luck.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Just want to check my logic.

I have been testing alk on this tank for the last couple weeks. It is a newish tank.

Alk is ~8.2 and I have had to dose some to get it to that. (Hanna and KH Carer)

Calc is 598? (Hanna)

I assume that this is a testing error, ive done it 3 times and have right around the same results. I would like to run my alk at about 8.5.

I have soda ash I can dose, but would like to dose AFR. AFR adds calc. Is it safe to assume these tests are testing errors?

I have never dosed calc in this tank it has no coral only fish.

Thanks!

You really don't need to be dosing anything in a new tank.

Everything is too unstable for the first few months.

Assuming of course that you have not filled wall to wall with SPS coral.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m not a fan of the Hanna calcium kit, but it is easy enough to use it on some new salt water and see what happens.

 

[Cheesus]

You really don't need to be dosing anything in a new tank.

Everything is too unstable for the first few months.

Assuming of course that you have not filled wall to wall with SPS coral.

Tank has been up since August, uses a little bit of Alk each day.

 

[Cheesus]

I’m not a fan of the Hanna calcium kit, but it is easy enough to use it on some new salt water and see what happens.

I'm not either, Ive been using salifert for better results. Decided that for what Ill be keeping AWC will be a lot easier to deal with. Just dose the Soda Ash as needed.