I'm not understanding my test results...

[Dom]

So, I have been testing approximately every 7-10 days on a 125 gallon tank (figure 145 total volume). I am not doing water changes on this tank, just hyper-filtration and supplementing KALK. Temperature is a steady 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit . Below is a chart of my results. Please tell me what your interpretation of these results.

Thank you.

Date	pH	Salinity	CA	KH	MG	Note
1/20/23	8.0	35ppt	400	5.3	1400	Kalk 40gm to 5 gallons RODI
1/30/23	8.0	35ppt	420	5.9	1460	Kalk 80gm to 5 gallons RODI
2/6/23	8.1	35ppt	440	8.4	1480	Kalk 60gm to 5 gallons RODI
2/19/23	8.0	35ppt	430	9.0	1440	60gm/5 gallons
2/26/23	8.0	35ppt	500	7.0	1400	No dosing
3/5/23	8.1	35ppt	440	5.6	1520

 

[ryanjohn1]

What brand tests? dKH low

 

[Dom]

What brand tests? dKH low

I use Red Sea kits. And yes, I know the Alk is low. But I'm looking for an assessment of the entire chart, not just the last line.

 

[dwest]

Nothing sticks out to me except alkalinity. If the unit are dKH then I don’t think the last test result is possible.

 

[Dom]

Nothing sticks out to me except alkalinity. If the unit are dKH then I don’t think the last test result is possible.

Look at the relationship between ALK, Calcium and Mag. On 2/26, calcium was 500 and ALK dropped to 7. Checked; not a testing error.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Your dkh is all over the place in the tests
Calc and mag are fine. And. 2 for dkh really should not be possible

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

On your notes, Is the dosing as a result of that weeks test or is the dosing from the prior week?

 

[Zaven D]

I am thinking this is some kind of testing error. Do you have an expired kit? Did you retest again after getting those numbers? Could one of your testing reagents have been left open or contaminated?

Lots of variables here I have tested incorrectly a few times but in these cases I have a different brand of test to cross check myself. If It’s super off I know somethings wrong with the kit itself.

 

[Dom]

Your dkh is all over the place in the tests
Calc and mag are fine. And. 2 for dkh really should not be possible

I don't know that it is all over the place.

I'm consistently dosing Kalk to maintain ALK and Calcium. If you look at the first test, kH is 5.3 and gradually increases as I dose Kalk over the weeks.

When it got to 9, I stopped dosing. And yet, calcium continued to rise while ALK began to fall.

 

[ryanjohn1]

I just grabbed my Red Sea chart. So a 2 by that number is comes to dkh of 5.6. Which is pretty low. I’m sorta used to Hanna numbers now. And 9 is fine gotta aim for consistency.

 

[jsker]

The one thing I will add, is I never double dip in reagents with that same syringe. I toss the syringes and use a new one every time.

How old is your reagents? Alk reagents tend to deteriorate over time after opening.

I don't know that it is all over the place.

I'm consistently dosing Kalk to maintain ALK and Calcium. If you look at the first test, kH is 5.3 and gradually increases as I dose Kalk over the weeks.

When it got to 9, I stopped dosing. And yet, calcium continued to rise while ALK began to fall.

The parameter tend to shift around if one is out of balance.

 

[ryanjohn1]

The one thing I will add, is I never double dip in reagents with that same syringe. I toss the syringes and use a new one every time.

How old is your reagents? Alk reagents tend to deteriorate over time after opening.


The parameter tend to shift around if one is out of balance.

The rest of his numbers look fine tho right unless I’m missing something

 

[ryanjohn1]

Which brand of salt are you using too? I’m currently having issues with Red Sea coral pro right now

 

[aSaltyKlown]

Did you use 40, 60 and 80 Grams? That's way too much. 40g is about 15tsp. In 5 gallons you should only mix 10tsp (26g) at the most. It's a waste for anything higher.

I think it is a testing error. Can't tell how fast the alk is dropping, would need to test daily for a few days straight. I highly doubt the Alk dropped 5 points in a week and that 500 Cal reading was most likely a misread on the test. You are dosing all over the place too, need to stay consistent. Kalk should maintain levels, not get them where they need to be. Get your levels where you want with a two-part solution then, test daily to see how much of a saturation of Kalk to use for the amount of Alk that is depleted over a week's time.

 

[jsker]

The rest of his numbers look fine tho right unless I’m missing something

I agree, Just the Alk is jumping around.

I would suggest again to test with a new syringe and clean tip every time with the alk. I found this out and once I switched to a clean tip and new syringe. My test is almost on every time except for an error with myself testing

 

[Dom]

On your notes, Is the dosing as a result of that weeks test or is the dosing from the prior week?

The notes reflect changes made after testing the previous week.

 

[Dom]

I am thinking this is some kind of testing error. Do you have an expired kit? Did you retest again after getting those numbers? Could one of your testing reagents have been left open or contaminated?

Lots of variables here I have tested incorrectly a few times but in these cases I have a different brand of test to cross check myself. If It’s super off I know somethings wrong with the kit itself.

No; not a testing error. I double checked and had a buddy test a sample as well. All tests were within .06

I replace my Red Sea kits annually, used up or not. Reagents are all good until June 2024.

 

[ryanjohn1]

All your other numbers look good. Maybe dose some Red Sea alk slowly to bring it up

 

[Dom]

I just grabbed my Red Sea chart. So a 2 by that number is comes to dkh of 5.6. Which is pretty low. I’m sorta used to Hanna numbers now. And 9 is fine gotta aim for consistency.

Ding Ding Ding... we have a winner.

I put the wrong number in the chart. It actually IS 5.6. So it was a testing error!

Thank you, everyone.

 

[Dom]

The one thing I will add, is I never double dip in reagents with that same syringe. I toss the syringes and use a new one every time.

How old is your reagents? Alk reagents tend to deteriorate over time after opening.


The parameter tend to shift around if one is out of balance.

Reagents are all good until June 2024.