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Calcium Measurement — Parallax Forums

Calcium Measurement

RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,762
edited 2011-05-11 08:39 in Accessories
Hi,
Has anyone seen an inexpensive way to measure disolved calcium in water? How about PH sensing?
Jim

Comments

  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-05-09 06:19
    For testing water "hardness"? I don't think that pH will work, because of all the other stuff that gets into water.
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,762
    edited 2011-05-10 05:52
    Actually, I need two sensors, 1 for hardness and 1 for PH.
    Jim
  • prof_brainoprof_braino Posts: 4,313
    edited 2011-05-10 17:58
    Is hardness a function of only calcium, or does it include other minerals too? Do you need to know specifically the amount of calcium, or just whether the laundry will be soapy enough?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 7,620
    edited 2011-05-10 18:03
    It's mainly the amount of calcium, IIRC.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-05-10 19:06
    I think Fe and Mg also play into the hardness equation. Also, aluminum. (Leon, that's aluminium to you. )
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,762
    edited 2011-05-11 06:05
    When I did a search for hardness testing, I found lab instrument probes that would measure hardness, but very expensive. I know that other minerals can come into the picture in hardness testing but I thought that in my case measuring calcium would give me a usable answer. I have seen hardness detection built into water softeners but don't know what technology they use.
    Jim
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2011-05-11 06:19
    RS_Jim wrote: »
    ...I have seen hardness detection built into water softeners but don't know what technology they use.
    ...

    You might take a look at page 14 of this manual.. It's fairly complex and probably not what you're hoping for, but my guess is that if they "must" use a system like this, then there's no cheap, easy way to do it, at least not with any good accuracy.
  • RS_JimRS_Jim Posts: 1,762
    edited 2011-05-11 08:39
    Thanks, I checked out the link and yes that is probably overkill for what I am looking for. I guess I will continue to search!
    Jim
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