which one do I go by

[msmooter]

I purchased a testing kit that tests for calcium and alkalinity. The test kit is made by "Red Sea". The instructions were extremely confusing. On the alkalinity test my actual colors never really matched the starting color of the chart. The instructions recomended that you distribute the mixture into your water through a syringe. No problem! The start off color is blueish. The mixture is red. You're supposed to add until the color turns blackish, but if the mixture turns purple then you overdosed and are to start the whole test again. The calcium test colors were kind of like the sample colors, but the instructions never really said what was unsafe or safe. So I took the kit back up to the retailer so he could illustrate how to test properly. He was as dumb-founded as I was. He basically assumed the instructions and the results. Which stated that I was great on alkalinity, and really high on calcium. I did not trust his answer, so I took the water sample down to another retailer who preformed a test using his own device. Now on his results, I am around 2.4 on alkalinity, and 400 on calcium.The salesman said that my alkalinity was way low. He informed me to use a buffer. Still don't know which kind of buffer to use. Is it a pH buffer? The instructions on my test kit state that 2.4 is standard. These retailers are not located close to me. So unless I figure out how to preform these test correctly, I will be making long, needless trips. Who do I go by, and what do the results mean?(My results, and thiers)

[rshimek]

[moved]

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I am around 2.4 on alkalinity, and 400 on calcium.The salesman said that my alkalinity was way low. He informed me to use a buffer.

2.4 meq/l is not way low. A tad low. It is about at natural ocean levels. I recommend about 2.5-4 meq/L for alkalinity. Baking soda can be used to raise it, just as well as a commercial buffer. However, I'd look to select a balanced calcium and alkalinity additive system, such as the two part additives, a CaCO3/CO2 reactor, or limewater. This article may help:

How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm


I've not used those particular kits, so I cannot say much about them Most alkalinity kits (Salifert, LaMotte, Seachem, and Hach, anyway) are very clear and easy to use.

These artiles may also be useful:

Reef Aquarium Water Parameters (a summary general article)
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.htm

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm