For high precision determination of the Ca and Mg concentration in saltwater
Along with sodium, potassium, chloride and sulphate, calcium (Ca
2+) and magnesium (Mg
2+) are two key components of natural seawater. Magnesium and, above all, calcium are important growth factors for organisms which form calcareous skeletons, such as hard coral and coralline algae - both elements form the basic substance of the calcareous skeleton. Furthermore, magnesium and calcium are involved in numerous biochemical processes. In saltwater applications, the reduction in the magnesium or calcium concentration caused partly by cellular metabolism and partly by skeleton formation means it is necessary to test the concentration levels on a regular basis and, if required, add more of one or both ions. This makes it possible to guarantee optimum, near-natural living conditions for all organisms and to prevent long-term damage.
In natural seawater, the calcium concentration is 400-410 mg/l (ppm) and the magnesium concentration is 1280-1320 mg/l (ppm). They also have a fixed ratio of 1:3.25 to one another. Due to the chemical and biochemical interdependencies between calcium and magnesium, you should also aim to achieve this concentration ratio in saltwater tanks.
With the high resolution titration test Tropic Marin
®Calcium/Magnesium Combitest Professional the calcium and magnesium concentrations can be determined reliably and separately with a resolution of 4 mg/l Ca and 20 mg/l Mg.
Benefits:
- Measurement range: Ca 300 - 498 mg/l (ppm)
- Measurement range: Mg 820 - 1800 mg/l (ppm)
- Accuracy: Ca 4 mg/l (ppm)
- Accuracy: Mg 20 mg/l (ppm)
- For determining the Ca and Mg concentration in saltwater aquaria
- Sufficient for approximately 50 applications
How to use:
Note: The calcium concentration is determined first, and then the magnesium concentration is determined using the same sample.
Determining the calcium level:
1. Shake the bottles before use!
2. Rinse out both glass cuvettes with tap water and then several times with aquarium water.
3. Fill each glass cuvette with exactly 5 ml of aquarium water using the dosing syringe. Put one of the two water samples aside as a reference.
4. Place a clean dropper tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with red lettering and draw out reagent A up to the 20 marking on the syringe (corresponds to 0.5 ml). Empty the entire amount into the cuvette with the analysis sample.
5. Close the glass cuvette using the stopper and briefly swirl the solution.
6. Then mix reagent B (powder) with the measuring spoon and add 1 level measuring spoon of reagent B to the glass cuvette containing the analysis sample. Swirl the cuvette carefully until the powder has dissolved. The water sample will turn light-blue.
7. Place another clean dropper tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with black lettering and draw out 1 ml of reagent C.
8. Now add reagent C from the syringe to the analysis sample drop by drop until the light-blue solution becomes colourless. Swirl the cuvette after each new drop. To assist in detecting the colour change, take the comparison sample (the second cuvette you prepared at point 3) on a white surface and look into both cuvettes from above when they are sitting side by side. You can stop adding drops when the colour change is complete and there is no difference between the analysis sample and the comparison sample.
9. The residual volume of reagent C in the syringe shows the calcium concentration C
Ca in mg/l (ppm) that can be determined using table I.
Example: If the lower side of the syringe plunger is at 0.46 ml following titration, then the residual volume of reagent C is 0.46 ml. The calcium concentration in the sample is: Ca = 392 mg/l.
10. The residual volume of reagent C in the syringe can be put back into bottle C.
Determining the magnesium level:
11. Place the third clean dropper tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with the green plunger and draw out 1 ml of reagent D.
12. Add approx. 0.4 ml of reagent D to the water sample. The water sample will turn light-blue again.
13. Now add the remaining reagent D from the syringe to the water sample drop by drop until the light-blue solution becomes colourless*. Swirl the cuvette after each new drop. To assist in detecting the colour change, take the comparison sample (the second cuvette you prepared at point 3) on a white surface again and look into both cuvettes from above when they are sitting side by side.
14. The residual volume of reagent D in the syringe shows the magnesium concentration C
Mg in mg/l (ppm) that can be determined using table II.
Example: If the lower side of the syringe plunger is at 0.35 ml following titration, then the residual volume of reagent C is 0.35 ml. The magnesium concentration in the sample is: Mg = 1300 mg/l (ppm).
15. The residual volume of reagent D in the syringe can be put back into bottle D. Rinse out the glass cuvettes, dosing syringes and dropper tips thoroughly with tap water and allow to dry before using them again.
* Note: If the colour change from light-blue to colourless is difficult to detect, we recommend to carry out the measurement under a bright light source which is similar to daylight.
How to correct unfavourable values
To increase the concentration of calcium, we recommend using Tropic Marin
® ALCA-BALANCE or BIO-CALCIUM ORIGINAL BALLING PART A and for magnesium we recommend Tropic Marin® BIO-MAGNESIUM. If calcium or magnesium concentrations are overly high, a partial water change should be carried out.
Safety information:
DANGER
Solution A: Causes skin irritation. Causes serious eye irritation.
Solution D contains: Ammonia 1-5 %, sodium hydroxide. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. IF SWALLOWED: rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water/shower.
Solution C contains: Lead nitrate. May damage fertility or the unborn child. May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure. If exposed or concerned: Get medical advice/attention. Keep out of reach of children.
Shelf life and storage
6 months after opening. Store in a cool, dark place.
