Cali Kid Corals

When testing for calcium, and dKH

A_Lee

A_Lee

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I have a quick question regarding testing water for calcium and dKH.
When I mix a new bucket of water for a water change, I normally do not heat the water. I want to test a bucket of freshly mixed salt water (normally mixed to a specific gravity of 1.025-1.026) for calcium and dKH; does performing these tests require the water be heated to 75-80*F? Thanks!
 
Not sure if it would matter. I suppose you would ideally test it at temperature to simulate the water conditions in the tank. But you could perform the test easily. Just test it before, heat the water and test again. Maybe I will try it one of these days.
 
Thanks Durwin. Only reason I ask is because starting this week I am cracking open a bucket of new salt =) I was just curious what the calcium and dKH would come out to since I am trying to depend mostly on water changes and minimal dosing.
 
Salinity can greatly affect your ca and dKH readings, I normally wait for the water to heat up before testing to make sure that the salinity is correct.
 
I guess I will test salinity, calcium, and dKH both before and after I heat this bucket of water ... I'm curious to see what kind of discrepancies the test results may show. Thanks all!
 
What are you using to test, I know that Hydrometers only work correctly if the temp of the water is between 76-80 degrees, I have tested this out on my own water mixes many many times and without adding any salt the salinty of the water rose from 1.021 to 1.026
 
I think the water temp effect the reading of salinity. I have the refractometer that has different reading when the water to cold. it's an automatic temperature compensation refractometer too :( .. I always measure salinity when the temp is above 75.
 
That's what I have too. Try to measure the saliny when the water is cold and measure again when it gets above 75. I think you will have a different reading. Unless you have a really nice one :D..
 
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