can't read my Elos test kit

forrestcook · 07/02/2010, 05:47 PM

Ive been told this brand is the best for testing water chemistry. Alk test worked like a charm and now i'm trying my magnesium and can't get it to work!

I've gone through the test battery three times now with the same results.

The first stage works just fine, with my solution turning from red to green at 41 drops (43, 41, 41)

I then add 5 drops of the second solution and shake... now the solution in the tube looks mottled in color but has gone back to red. Then I add the 0.15 of the powder and the solution turns VERY dark. So dark that I have to hold a light behind it to see through it... and when I DO see through it, it's a orange/brown color not the pink/purple that it should be.

Then I start adding the last reagent hoping it will turn light blue like the instructions say... when I get near 35-40 drops it turns yellow and then green... but not dramatically like the red to green transition earlier... it changes in steps.

Now, using their calculations, my Mg would have been 350. I added some Mg since I didn't trust the results, waited, and retested. Same deal. Anyone else have this issue with the Elos magnesium test? The Exp date is 12/11. BTW - I'm sending this same question to Elos to see if they can help... I'll post their response here.

bertoni · 07/02/2010, 05:57 PM

I suspect you're interpreting the final step incorrectly. Magnesium at 350 ppm is impossible for anything resembling saltwater. I haven't used that kit, so I can't help much.

forrestcook · 07/02/2010, 06:23 PM

The US Elos rep got back to me... I read the instructions wrong and did all steps in one vial of tank water... I was supposed to dump the vial and do the second half with fresh tank water... I feel stupid!

bertoni · 07/02/2010, 06:44 PM

It happens to a lot of people.

jtma508 · 07/03/2010, 09:29 AM

If that's the worst mistake you make in this hobby you done good.

wilsonreefs · 07/03/2010, 03:17 PM

Kinda scared me with the Mg reading of 350. yeah, I also doubt its the last mistake you or any of us will make......Oh well what the heck..

07/02/2010, 05:47 PM	#1
forrestcook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tucson Posts: 345	can't read my Elos test kit Ive been told this brand is the best for testing water chemistry. Alk test worked like a charm and now i'm trying my magnesium and can't get it to work! I've gone through the test battery three times now with the same results. The first stage works just fine, with my solution turning from red to green at 41 drops (43, 41, 41) I then add 5 drops of the second solution and shake... now the solution in the tube looks mottled in color but has gone back to red. Then I add the 0.15 of the powder and the solution turns VERY dark. So dark that I have to hold a light behind it to see through it... and when I DO see through it, it's a orange/brown color not the pink/purple that it should be. Then I start adding the last reagent hoping it will turn light blue like the instructions say... when I get near 35-40 drops it turns yellow and then green... but not dramatically like the red to green transition earlier... it changes in steps. Now, using their calculations, my Mg would have been 350. I added some Mg since I didn't trust the results, waited, and retested. Same deal. Anyone else have this issue with the Elos magnesium test? The Exp date is 12/11. BTW - I'm sending this same question to Elos to see if they can help... I'll post their response here. __________________ 28 gallon jbj nanocube set up as a macro algae tank for sea horses

07/02/2010, 05:57 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I suspect you're interpreting the final step incorrectly. Magnesium at 350 ppm is impossible for anything resembling saltwater. I haven't used that kit, so I can't help much. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/02/2010, 06:23 PM	#3
forrestcook Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tucson Posts: 345	The US Elos rep got back to me... I read the instructions wrong and did all steps in one vial of tank water... I was supposed to dump the vial and do the second half with fresh tank water... I feel stupid! __________________ 28 gallon jbj nanocube set up as a macro algae tank for sea horses

07/02/2010, 06:44 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	It happens to a lot of people. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/03/2010, 09:29 AM	#5
jtma508 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MA Posts: 1,232	If that's the worst mistake you make in this hobby you done good. Last edited by jtma508; 07/03/2010 at 09:29 AM. Reason: because I type like a two-fisted monkey

07/03/2010, 03:17 PM	#6
wilsonreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jonesboro, Ar Posts: 284	Kinda scared me with the Mg reading of 350. yeah, I also doubt its the last mistake you or any of us will make......Oh well what the heck..

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