ELOS Testing Kits, Kent Reef Salt or user error! (1 Viewer)

[clayfrmtx]

Anyone use these... I picked some up and finding the results odd. After using the Mag test last night I got a low reading of 950. I was thinking ok, its been a week since a water change, and I've only supplemented Tech M once. And, this morning after creating a new batch of saltwater using Kent Reef Salts.. mixing to a salinity of 1.025, I decided to test the new water for a comparison. Well.. after the test the new water read 800!! I also retested the tank water, and got a the same 950.

According to the label Kent is supposed to have a Mag level within 1250 - 1400 range.

Could this be a bad test kit.. or bad salt?

My calcium tested rather high.. at 650. I do not dose any kalk or 2 part at this time.

 

[cliner]

Does either test have a calibration fluid? It should. I would double check before taking drastic measures. Magnesium is generally low unless you supplement regularly, I think some folks here use Elos tests.

 

[clayfrmtx]

thanks.. it didn't come with calibration fluid.

 

[soymilk]

this was taken from the website

Specific Gravity: 1.024 - 1.026
pH: 8.2 to 8.3
Calcium: 550 to 575 ppm
Magnesium: 1,350 to 1,450 ppm

So Mag should be pretty high. The mag test is a two part test... are you 100% sure you're testing it right?

Part 1,
3mL tank water into the vial, add one drop of Reagent 1 and wait 15-30 seconds and repeat til theres a color shift. The color shift is pretty dramatic so you'll know when. Then write down the number of drops it took.

Part 2,
3mL tank water into a clean new vial, 5 drops of reagent B, and .15mL (the small side of the spoon) of Reagent C, then shake for 30 secs. Then add Reagent D one drop at a time, waiting 15-30 seconds between each drop. Swirling the vial between drops. Then count the number of drops and write the number down.

Mag = (First number - Second number) * 50 = ppm

 

[DogHair]

You might also look on box to see if it has expiration date. Elos did that at one time although they are generally pretty broad. I have had some problems getting ELOS, Salifart, and Hanna all to read in same area code on occassion but not that far apart.

 

[clayfrmtx]

Thanks everyone.. yeah, I was doing the test correctly - although, the instructions didn't say anything about waiting 15-30 seconds between drops? I did the test 3 separate times on DT water, and once on freshly made with the same results. I will give it a go again today and see what I come up with. Thanks again for the responses.

 

[soymilk]

Clay

I would consider getting in contact with Jesse at Elos USA. Maybe he can get you a new test kit. But before that, perhaps someone around your area can test your water. Worst case scenario, would be to pay for a LFS to test it.

Outta curiosity, what where you getting for your first and second number.

 

[clayfrmtx]

the first number is generally around 27 and the second is about 7 or 8. I did dose some Tech M and retested and it did rise. Is there a possibility that the salt is bad?
I use the Elos Calcium and Alk tests, Calcium was testing high around 650 and Alk was on the low side of 7
I don't have alot of calcium depleting coral at the moment, but plenty of snails...

 

[Mark L.]

I use Elos for Mag, Cal, and Alk. It sounds like you are doing it right. I wouldn't worry about the 15-30 sec between drops. I don't. My mag test always comes out to 33 drops and 6 drops. 33-6=27 27*50=1350ppm.

I would try to find someone else to test your water so you can compare the results.

 

[clayfrmtx]

I talked to Jesse, and he mentioned Mag settling in salt mixes, and there could be higher concentrated areas and less concentrated areas - which could account for the low reading in the fresh batch. I retested yesterday after a couple days of dosing Tech M - I am also trying to counter some Bryopsis. This time - via Jesse's instructions I made sure to vigorously shake the solutions before use. I was doing this before, but just a few shakes before use. My readings were up, this time around 1250. That was the last of that salt mix.. I am going to try Red Sea Coral Pro this time.

 

[Mark L.]

I use Red Sea Coral Pro and I always have good readings when I test my freshly mixed saltwater. I also haven't had to dose magnesium since changing to RSCP. I do a 10-15% water change weekly though.

 

[clayfrmtx]

switched to Red Sea and things are much better!

 

[Mark L.]

Awesome! I wont use any other salt.