Water testing question

slam308 · 02/15/2007, 06:58 PM

I didn't know where else to post this question...
I have the AP test kits. A couple tests require that you add one drop of stuff, shake the tube, add another drop, shake, etc. til you get to where the color changes to get your reading.
If you know that you're gonna have to add 15-20 drops, can you add 3-4 drops at a time, shake, 3-4 drops, and shake until you get close to your usual reading and then add the drops one at a time to get the real reading?
The last two times it took somewhere around 20 drops to get a Ca reading of 500 ppm. Can I shorten it down somewhat?

bertoni · 02/15/2007, 07:32 PM

For calcium tests, you likely could do most of the drips in one shot, and then swirl the tube for 30 seconds or so. That works for the test kit that I use. I'd try a couple of tests, one a drop at a time, and the other with a mass dose

, and see how the results compare first, though.

slam308 · 02/15/2007, 07:59 PM

Great, I'll try a couple side by side tests and see how it works.

Slingshot · 02/15/2007, 10:55 PM

Slam, Thanks for asking the same question that I had in mind, and Bertoni for the answer...

Peace, Dave

Xirxes23 · 02/15/2007, 11:51 PM

the amount of simultanious drops does not matter chemically, but for precision reasons they tell you to go drop by drop, adding to near where you think you are should be fine, unless you are mistaken.

and its only 15-20 drops man! just swirl it in the left hand and drop with the right, mixes as you drop.

slam308 · 02/16/2007, 07:02 AM

Yeah, but that requires coordination. I suppose if I dumped the water in a bucket instead of the test tube.....

02/15/2007, 06:58 PM	#1
slam308 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 261	Water testing question I didn't know where else to post this question... I have the AP test kits. A couple tests require that you add one drop of stuff, shake the tube, add another drop, shake, etc. til you get to where the color changes to get your reading. If you know that you're gonna have to add 15-20 drops, can you add 3-4 drops at a time, shake, 3-4 drops, and shake until you get close to your usual reading and then add the drops one at a time to get the real reading? The last two times it took somewhere around 20 drops to get a Ca reading of 500 ppm. Can I shorten it down somewhat? __________________ Slam308 Current Tank Info: 24 Ap...22 lbs LR...5 months old...1 Turbo...2 hermits...1 Cerith snails...1 Chromis (acquired by accident!)...1 O. clown...2 Nassarius snails (man, those suckers are fast)

02/15/2007, 07:32 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	For calcium tests, you likely could do most of the drips in one shot, and then swirl the tube for 30 seconds or so. That works for the test kit that I use. I'd try a couple of tests, one a drop at a time, and the other with a mass dose , and see how the results compare first, though. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/15/2007, 07:59 PM	#3
slam308 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 261	Great, I'll try a couple side by side tests and see how it works. __________________ Slam308 Current Tank Info: 24 Ap...22 lbs LR...5 months old...1 Turbo...2 hermits...1 Cerith snails...1 Chromis (acquired by accident!)...1 O. clown...2 Nassarius snails (man, those suckers are fast)

02/16/2007, 07:02 AM	#6
slam308 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 261	Yeah, but that requires coordination. I suppose if I dumped the water in a bucket instead of the test tube..... __________________ Slam308 Current Tank Info: 24 Ap...22 lbs LR...5 months old...1 Turbo...2 hermits...1 Cerith snails...1 Chromis (acquired by accident!)...1 O. clown...2 Nassarius snails (man, those suckers are fast)

02/15/2007, 10:55 PM	#4
Slingshot Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County NY Posts: 73	Slam, Thanks for asking the same question that I had in mind, and Bertoni for the answer... Peace, Dave

02/15/2007, 11:51 PM	#5
Xirxes23 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 607	the amount of simultanious drops does not matter chemically, but for precision reasons they tell you to go drop by drop, adding to near where you think you are should be fine, unless you are mistaken. and its only 15-20 drops man! just swirl it in the left hand and drop with the right, mixes as you drop.