Testing and Dosing Calcium and Alkalinity by Hand

Рет қаралды 17,689

5 жыл бұрын

In Today's video, we are going to be taking a look at the old school way of testing and dosing Calcium and Alkalinity by hand. Thats right kids... by hand. We'll also take an indepth look at the tools for the job such as calcium and alkalinity test kits and Graduated Cylinders. If you're new to my channel make sure you subscribe for more videos such as this one, every week.
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Пікірлер: 59

@miguelsalty 5 жыл бұрын

I’m happy you posted this video. Many reefers will not even show this process or use expensive gadgets. Good old fashion test kits!

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

Figured it would be a good subject with soo much automation tech coming out.

@mrussellsreef5625 5 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! I started my Waterbox 70.3 just after you started yours and I have been documenting it on KZfaq... It seems like your system is already pretty stable compared to mine, can't wait for the next update!

@jonwest2259 5 жыл бұрын

I just subscribed to Mad Hatter’s. I really enjoy these videos and this channel because Jeff is so helpful to help understand everything in all his videos. Very informative and very helpful! Thank you Jeff for making helpful videos.

@ttravreefsaquatics8354 5 жыл бұрын

Great video man, I glad you showed the old school way of dosing 😎

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

It’s cheap too!

@angelnieves6087 5 жыл бұрын

Nothing wrong with doing it the basic way. Thanks for the video. Keep up the great work.

@drewjanes307 5 жыл бұрын

lol when testing for 8 different things I dont remember either, I use the cards everytime

@cjblom4890 5 жыл бұрын

Can you please do top ten wrasses?

@tasanastasi7799 5 жыл бұрын

I do same, manual, ..have a lot mote control over the aquarium , great video ;)

@Flownon 5 жыл бұрын

Hand Testing/Dosing is a great way to start!

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

In today’s world it’s a forgotten art form.

@bruce3579 4 жыл бұрын

Great video as usual. Is there a reason you use the me procucts for dosing?

@gabesreef 5 жыл бұрын

You brought it back.... smash that subscribe button, the face POP!! HAHAHA

@Gro2healthheirlooms 3 жыл бұрын

I'm nervously stepping out into the reefing hobby from freshwater, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can to transition as smoothly as possible. Great work

@MadHattersReef 3 жыл бұрын

You can do it!

@Hunter-vz6ve 5 жыл бұрын

Great vlog, Fab channel. Besides, I don't wanting you to bop me. Seriously great knowledge,TFS.

@nataliex9092 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@jluusaltwateraquarium8320 3 жыл бұрын

Super fantastic video sir... I do love this hubby so much..... I don't have money buying alot of equipment... I usly dosing by hand .... I have 120 gallons now.. I love Acroporas corals... I see alot guys KZfaq channel they have good Acropora corals don't know when my tank going be like them....😊😊😊😊😊

@MadHattersReef 3 жыл бұрын

All the best

@waynelscott 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. I also use the same kits when testing my top three. But considering my schedule I do use a dosing pump and things have been great thus far. Just a heads up though, Salifert changes their calcium to where instead of doing 8 drops of CA-2, you have to use 10 drops now. All others still remain the same.

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

When did they change that cuz this box is about 1.5 years old.

@waynelscott 5 жыл бұрын

Mad Hatter's Reef within the last 6-8 months.

@Alvarito35 4 жыл бұрын

@@MadHattersReef The same happened with the KH test, is 4 drops now, I guess it is an easier and clever way to have people buying more of their product

@john200871 4 жыл бұрын

I feel you on not being able to remember anything, it’s also probably good practice to at least skim over them each time you test.

@alexhernandez8905 2 жыл бұрын

The auto top off kicks in, sounded like he was taking a piss lol

@MadHattersReef 2 жыл бұрын

That’s my favorite

@jeremybw2180 4 жыл бұрын

*Milliliters NOT millimeters as said in the video. I was getting ready to break out my ruler to measure this Alk. 😂😉 Awesome content as always!

@MadHattersReef 4 жыл бұрын

My bad

@arizonahascactus9697 4 жыл бұрын

I was hoping to see an alk test after that dose to see how close it came to the brs reccomendation. Also, arent alk and calcium supposed to be dosed in equal quantities?

@marcelrodriguez2067 4 жыл бұрын

Do you need to add this stuff if you use salt that contains this like the instant ocean reef crystal salt?

@oropherelf8544 4 жыл бұрын

Hi. When it comes to BRS calculator, it makes us choose what 2 parts solution are used (don't know the exact concentration of the listed). Since I don't live in US and I'm using my personal DIY 2parts solution so it's rather difficult to determine how much to dose. Therefore I have to calculate manually for the dosing needed.

@JCTReefer 5 жыл бұрын

I like your philosophy. I’d rather spend money on corals‼️

@robertvogel3408 3 жыл бұрын

Bro you need to do a video on personal water parameters

@atfinthehouse8631 4 жыл бұрын

Blue bottle glass dropper bottles 20-30ml volume. Each dropperful is about 0.8-1ml. Half a dropper is about 0.5ml. Quick and easy. If added small amounts daily to tanks as they grow. Once you are established, no need for testing if doing water changes every 2-3-4 weeks. Corals take up just what they need. So a tiny amount of whatever you add is beneficial and generally safe. As long as you are consistent. Running six tanks like this for nearly 3 years since in hobby. Heavy testing to start, to see if there were trends.

@karennation3580 3 жыл бұрын

Are you saying you dont need to dose daily? My alk consumes random amounts daily, no consistency at all. Feel like I am going to be testing daily forever! I dont know how I am supposed to lock in a daily dose! Can you help? Thanks:)

@atfinthehouse8631 4 жыл бұрын

Cylinders are cumbersome and slower than dispenser dropper bottles. Also need to get cleaned. Don’t forget you need magnesium in order for calcium to be utilized.

@karennation3580 3 жыл бұрын

when should you dose mag? The youtubes I have watched says after you dose a gallon of calcium and alk, but what if it is low as well and like you said you need mag in order for calcium to be used.

@Berbs73 5 жыл бұрын

Liquid is now measured in millimeters. 😁👍

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

Haha.Oops. It’s on the internet so it must be true.

@vinnylamandia6213 5 жыл бұрын

I don't think that you can just choose any liquid soda ash they're all different concentrations and the reef calculator is based off of individual products I would be very apprehensive about using it that way unless you know that the ME solutions are equivalent to the BRS solutions

@paulah3032 5 жыл бұрын

It should be 10 drops for cal

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

I have the old test kit.

@karennation3580 3 жыл бұрын

How to you handle water changes? wont it throw it all off? Cause an alk swing and possibly kill my corals. I use Io reef crystals and after my normal weekly water changes my alk goes up to about 9.5 then by the end of week its down to 6.5. I am only dosing now or starting to because i got to many corals at once and thats what is lowering my alk and upping my nitrates. I am not really sure what to do. I started nopox to bring down my nitrates and randy holmes farley said that it should straighten out my alkalinity in time. I am not feeding corals anymore even. I did buy reff energy which is supposed to keep them nourished. Its amino acids and carbs ect and not suppposed to up nitrates

@MadHattersReef 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it will. Water changes are the best way to keep parameter where they need to be.

@karennation3580 3 жыл бұрын

@@MadHattersReef Still havnt dosed but starting today. I am wondering why my water changes using same salt (reef crystals) was upping alk from 6 or so to 9.5 and now after dropping to 6.8 a water change with same salt and same percentage is only upping to 7.4. Mathematically makes no sense! When do I add mag and trace element or would changing to a monthly water change be enough to keep trace element in check? I have been doing them weekly or 10 days but lowering nitrates and po4 to much. Po4 is either 0 or 0.01 and dont want dino's which looks like I have but I preformed a coffee filter test and it didn't clump so I assume its just diatoms from adding a new light.

@clffthmps 4 жыл бұрын

Would you not want to does equal parts of calcium and alkalinity?

@lucasbaluyut5746 5 жыл бұрын

So when you read the amount in the syringe do you read where the water line is

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

No, you read where the plunger is and that how you get your reading.

@lucasbaluyut5746 5 жыл бұрын

Ok thanks

@rosedonnapur 3 жыл бұрын

Just did my tests on Hannah calcium was 343 and alkalinity was 6.7 so I think I need to dose

@karennation3580 3 жыл бұрын

Does Me corals require mixing with rodi?

@MadHattersReef 3 жыл бұрын

Depends on if you buy the liquid or dry. Liquid = No Dry = Yes

@atfinthehouse8631 3 жыл бұрын

There is a very specific order in which you should be dosing all supplements.

@tasanastasi7799 5 жыл бұрын

both may need to be raised i would suggest

@MadHattersReef 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. I typically shoot for 400 ppm on Cal. I could make a whole other video on how to dose Cal and Alk and the thought process in how.

@alwaystmoza 5 жыл бұрын

@@MadHattersReef great video..I seen that you have to dose both..I'm new reefer. Is this correct ? Is your video dosing both getting done soon ? Thanks. Have learned lots from your channel. Cheers from Sydney