CA or MG?

xinumaster · #1 07/04/2007, 04:11 PM

I bought a bag of magflake and dowflake last year at BFS but I transfer the content into seperate jars but forgot to label them. What is a quick test I can do to find out which of the jar contain the CA or the magflake?

fishnfst · #2 07/04/2007, 04:25 PM

Uhoh you mean you didn't properly label the new containers and attach the appropriate msds

Shame shame

I'm not sure hopefully someone will chime in... Maybe dissolve some in Ro water then test for calcium or magnesium?

northbay-reefer · #3 07/04/2007, 04:48 PM

I think you can do a taste test

just kidding

sfsuphysics · #4 07/04/2007, 05:01 PM

I might be wrong about this, but doesn't the calcium chloride get really hot where as the magnesium not so much? Might want to just toss a little into a small amount of water to test for a heat difference

Mr. Ugly · #5 07/04/2007, 05:02 PM

Calcium will flame test red. Magnesium won't color a flame.

You can try making a pile of each on a heat proof surface and hitting them with one of those butane charcoal lighters.

Mr. Ugly · #6 07/04/2007, 05:06 PM

Or if your 4th of July bbq is already going, sprinkle some on your charcoal to see what colors they are

northbay-reefer · #7 07/04/2007, 05:36 PM

Norman that BBQ idea is just as bad as my taste test idea

Mr. Ugly · #8 07/04/2007, 06:20 PM

Hey, if they can put calcium in orange juice, we can put calcium in our bbq

sfsuphysics · #9 07/04/2007, 08:10 PM

Ya know Norman, I really want to test that burning idea now

Reefugee · #10 07/04/2007, 08:21 PM

How about using one of your calcium or magnesium test to see which is which. :P

Minh

ViPeR_930 · #11 07/04/2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Ugly
Calcium will flame test red. Magnesium won't color a flame.

You can try making a pile of each on a heat proof surface and hitting them with one of those butane charcoal lighters.

Hmm, homemade firecrackers for tonight?

TikiDan · #12 07/04/2007, 08:59 PM

No good can come of this.

xinumaster · #13 07/04/2007, 11:29 PM

How about vinegar test? I believe I read somewhere that calcium will dissolve quicker. Can some one comment on this.

Mr. Ugly · #14 07/05/2007, 09:00 AM

Flame test already! It's fast

xinumaster · #15 07/05/2007, 10:58 AM

Okay. Got the answer from BFS:

"The DF is a strong white color. The MF is more milky/transleucent.

If you put about a dozen DF flakes in the palm of your hand, and add a tablespoon of water, the DF will got hot -- too hot to keep in your palm. Do this close to a faucet and just rinse your hand when/if you feel it getting hot.

Do the same with MF and it will get only a little warm."

CitS · #16 07/05/2007, 11:06 AM

Still think you should do the flame test.
Sounds like fun to me...

sfsuphysics · #17 07/05/2007, 01:58 PM

I mentioned the heat factor way up there :P Geeze perry why ask a question if you're just not going to listen to our wonderful advice

xinumaster · #18 07/05/2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sfsuphysics
I mentioned the heat factor way up there :P Geeze perry why ask a question if you're just not going to listen to our wonderful advice

Which one the flame test?

Sorry Mike, BFS actually come out with the Heat Difference answer (at 2:0pm) on another forum.

Plus you where not sorry about it. But BFS help confirm your theory.