Calcium hardness test adjustment

[Bperry]

I seem to have one of those bottles from the TF-100 where the dropper for the colored dye in the CH test makes a noticably smaller drop than all the others.

I tested a couple weeks ago and got 725ppm with the 10ml sample and 3 drops of dye.

When i tested yesterday, i tried adding an extra drop (total 4) of the colored dye to kinda make up for the extra small drop sizes and i get a CH of 500ppm.

Is the extra drop idea bad and should i try and find another dropper that’ll work right? Ive tried wiping it and all that, its just stubborn. It was really hard to see the endpoint from my test a couple weeks ago because it was so dilute so thats what sparked my experiment.

 

[ajw22]

Ask @Sarah and Nate to send you a new tip or bottle to try.

 

[Bperry]

Ask @Sarah and Nate to send you a new tip or bottle to try.

Hmm, I can try swapping tips with something else to try that out temporarily. Why didn’t I think of that earlier?

 

[mgtfp]

The indicator amount is supposed to be in excess, so I don't think you can add too much of it. But you may have not enough and the colour transitions may not have enough contrast as you have observed. I'd have more confidence that the second test shows the correct CH.

See how you go with another tip. Could also be that the indicator dye is starting to thicken and that you can't squeeze out enough due to that.

 

[Bperry]

The indicator amount is supposed to be in excess, so I don't think you can add too much of it. But you may have not enough and the colour transitions may not have enough contrast as you have observed. I'd have more confidence that the second test shows the correct CH.

See how you go with another tip. Could also be that the indicator dye is starting to thicken and that you can't squeeze out enough due to that.

It does feel quite thick. Lots of squeezing to get any out.

 

[mgtfp]

It does feel quite thick. Lots of squeezing to get any out.

Is it from this year's refill, or already older?

 

[pjt]

Same situation here, the R-0011L is very hard to dispense and the drops are small.

 

[Bperry]

Is it from this year's refill, or already older?

Its from last years batch.

 

[mgtfp]

I would just order a new bottle to be on the safe side. Compare if new indicator gives the same results as old with more drops. Then you'll know what to do next time.

Could be that the tip is a bit clogged up.

 

[revitup]

I did not think that the drops from the various titrating solutions were supposed to all be the same size. I’ve been through multiple bottles of the r-0011L and the drops were all on the small side.

 

[mgtfp]

As far as I know, the Taylor dropper tips are all identical. But the R-0011 may have a different viscosity, creating a different drop size.

 

[revitup]

As far as I know, the Taylor dropper tips are all identical. But the R-0011 may have a different viscosity, creating a different drop size.

That is my understanding.

 

[Sarah and Nate]

My understanding too is that the viscosity of the R-0011L will create a difference in drop sizes.

The tips on our bottles are supposed to be all the same size. If you’d like to email a picture of all your bottles (without caps so I can see the tips) to [email protected] I can diagnose more effectively. Also, of all the reagents, R-0011L is the most sensitive and does thicken over time. Taylor Technologies recommends replacing reagents yearly for best results.

Nate @ TFT

 

[Bperry]

I switched bottle tips and the r11 comes out slow from the new tip as well. Also tried the r11 tip on another bottle and drops are normal. So looks like i just need a new bottle of r11.

 

[revitup]

I switched bottle tips and the r11 comes out slow from the new tip as well. Also tried the r11 tip on another bottle and drops are normal. So looks like i just need a new bottle of r11.

I bet the new r11 drops look exactly like the one you have now.

 

[Bperry]

I bet the new r11 drops look exactly like the one you have now.

I hope not cause the solution goes from red to almost clear. Super hard to see anything as it gets towards blue. I did try some older K2006 r11 and it was also fairly thick. Both give the same result of between 450-500ppm.