Hagen Ca Test Kit-Help!!!

[SugarShiki]

I just purchased a test kit from my LFS, and tested my water parameters.

I followed instructions to the tee...and could not get the reaction on the kit.

It only has a low(pink) or high(violet) value...It says to multiply # of drops x20 to determine your Ca ppm.

By the time I got to 60 drops, I gave up. The fluid in the vial was still pink.

Did I do something wrong??? I'm currently stumped....

Thanks in Advance!!

 

[grantn]

I use the Hagen tests as well. The directions say to shake the #2 reagent bottle before putting the drops in the test tube. This is important. I shake all my reagent bottles before adding it to the test tube not just #2. When you add reagent #3 you should get a dark pink color at first. If it's a really pale pink, then the first steps may not have worked.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, grantn. I've never used this kit, so I can't give much useful advice about it.

 

[Mndrsn2000]

I have the same problem I was up to around 60 drops then I just gave up. The color is more of a pinkish red color and will not change. I am disappointed with this test kit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

What calcium level would 60 drops correspond to?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

1200 ppm :lol:

 

[reverendmaynard]

I have that kit. It seems to work ok for me. As mentioned, shaking the #2 stuff is very important. If you don't, the color will be very light, making it very difficult to see the color change. Also, you're shaking the tube after each drop or #3 is added, right?

Also, the color change is not much, so you've got to really pay attention. Using the white background of the test booklet helps, I've found. The brightest lit room in the house is also best to perform the test in.

If you still can't see any change after 25-30 drops, you might have a defective kit.

 

[Mndrsn2000]

On my kit as soon as I add the number 3 drop it turns to a reddish color not even close to pink or violet. I do shake up the number 2 quite a bit.

 

[reverendmaynard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6736746#post6736746 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Mndrsn2000
On my kit as soon as I add the number 3 drop it turns to a reddish color not even close to pink or violet. I do shake up the number 2 quite a bit.

Sounds defective to me.

I usually add the first 15 drops in groups of 5, shaking in between. Then I add 3 more, shake, then 1 at a time. After each shake the color is definitely pink, not red. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I always get a reading that makes some sense (400-460ppm).

I don't know anything about the chemicals or chemistry involved, but it's possible that your kit is old and one or more of the chemicals is past it's shelf life. Is there an expiration date? You might try contacting Hagen, or the place you bought it from. I buy most of my stuff from Drs Foster&Smith, and they are very good about any problems you might have. Usually they'll ship you a new item if you tell them there is something wrong with it, and you don't even have to return the original. I got a new MJ1200 that way, because the orignal one was missing the venturi adaptor tube. I use the "defective" one to stir my new SW.