TMPro and super high calc readings?

MJAnderson · #1 05/28/2007, 10:38 PM

Wondering if anyone else is seeing this?

I bought a new bucket of TMP and mixed up 20g of water to 1.026. When I tested my calc, it was off the chart for Salifert. I also have a Strontium test kit, which measure calcium as well and that tops off at 560 and my reading was above that as well. I remixed up 5g and got the same readings.

Anyone else have this issue? Is there any harm in using this salt mix? I tested ALK and Mag and both are right on.

HowardW · #2 05/29/2007, 01:14 PM

I'm curious if you mix up your salt before use, or just use it straight off the top?

I now mix up my salt really well before use and I seem to get more even parameters from batch to batch.

PatrickJ · #3 05/29/2007, 03:23 PM

thats odd for TMPr, its normally around 400 -440

MJAnderson · #4 05/29/2007, 03:31 PM

It was a brand new bucket so I used it right off the top. Not really much room to mix, but maybe I will pour some into another bucket, mix them both, then pour back.

I spoke with my LFS and I guess TM keeps samples of each batch. If I email them they will compare with their sample. He mentioned someone got a really low Ca bucket a few weeks back and TM confirmed it was a problem with the whole catch. Not sure how low it was though.

Billybeau1 · #5 05/29/2007, 05:14 PM

MJ, when you exhaust the first syringe of the Salifert calcium test, just fill it up again to the 1 ml line and slowly dose until the color turns blue. Then add that value to 500 and you will get actual ppm.

I haven't tested that salt yet but I here the calcium is higher than regular Tropic Marin.

Patrick, what s.g. did you mix yours at ?

PatrickJ · #6 05/29/2007, 06:54 PM

1.024

Billybeau1 · #7 05/29/2007, 09:20 PM

The reason I asked that, Patrick, is the level of calcium and magnesium is directly related to how much salt mix is added to the water.

Example: lets say you mixed to 1.024 and got 420 ppm calcium. That means for every .001 s.g , you get 420 div by 24 = 17.5 ppm per unit.

So if you were to mix to 1.0265, your calcium would be about 44 ppm higher. 2.5 units x 17.5 ppm = 43.75

That would give you a calcium reading of 464 in stead of 420.

So you see, what level one keeps their specific gravity is very important.