Red Sea Testing Off The Charts

[new2reefing]

Hey all. So just got my red see reef foundation test kit. Ran my first tests and here are my results
Mag - 1600
Alk. - 8.4 dkh
Cal. Over 500

So i will be testing again since theres always a chance i did something wrong, but any other reason calcium and mag would be that high? I dont dose anything just water changes.

 

[Pistol]

sometimes the ingredients in a pail of salt will settle out causing all the calcium to get mixed at once, i always roll my pails around before using to prevent that

 

[TORX]

It would also help to know what salt and to what salinity you are mixing your salt. Please say you are using a Refractometer to test salinity

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[new2reefing]

Using instant ocean reef crystals. I never rolled the pail or anything so thats good to know.
I use a hydrometer. Refractrometer is next on my purchase list.
I mix 2.5 cups of salt into a 5 gallon pail which usually comes to 1.023-1.025

 

[TORX]

On the side of a IO RC bucket there is a graph. If your hydro meter is off, you could be mixing it a little strong, which a salinity of 1.028 would probably match the levels you are reporting.

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[new2reefing]

Thx torx. Will test again in the morning, just to be sure and pick up a refractrometer next week so i can be more accurate.

 

[kapelan]

2 pictures from this thread: http://www.thefragtank.ca/community/threads/calcium-red-sea-test-crazy-result.19711/
1. Calcium
2. Calcium Pro
Difference in the way of titration (#3) measurement.
Which one are you using?

 

[new2reefing]

I'm using the calcium pro.

Re-tested last night. Definitely did lots wrong the first test. My GF works as a vet tech and assured me I had to flick out the bubbles.
After watching video's online, they say to ignore the bubble since you are still drawing 1ml of titrant.
So here's my new results for better of worse. ran twice with near identical results.
Calcium - 540-555
Alkalinity - 6.7 -6.8
Magnesium - 1460 - 1480

So calcium is a little higher, and mag and alk are lower then initial tests.

I do have the alk and mag parts mixed for 2 part solution (never dosed yet, just made a batch a month ago in case I need it)
Am I safe to raise my alk to 8, which will hopefully lower my cal a bit? plan to use the BRS calculater for dosing amount.

 

[new2reefing]

Also, ordered myself a refractrometer last night. should be here by next week
Next on my list to buy is a RO/DI unit....

 

[scubasteve]

You will love the refractometer and that will probably fix it.... Did you mark a measured 5 gal line in the bucket?

 

[Skim]

I never liked my Red Sea test kit and I have see many complain about the same, everything reads very high. Every time I tested with RS I would get off the cart Cal 500 + and mag levels of 1600-1800. I think you should pick some Salifert test kits.

 

[new2reefing]

No never market a true 5 gallon line. Probably should do that. I do have to say i have no problem so far with the test kit itself. I find it easy to use, and once i got used to it could test 3 times in a row with near identical results.
Refractrometer came in wednesday. Tested tank and SG of tank was 1.027
Did a 20% WC heavy on freshwater with some alk buffer (baked bakingsoda solution) and parameters are much better.
Cal 470
Alk 7.3
Mag 1280
Sg 1.024

I also started running GFO and will be vinegar dosing with my top offs everyday as my nitrates are through the roof. (40-80)
I let my gravity fuge get way to dirty, so i siphoned the bottom and harvested a few handfulls of chaleupra.
All and all everything in my tank is still doing awesome considering....
Thank god for the easy to keep coral.
Next few months are going to be a lot tighter on my maintenance