WMAS Discussion Forum : Good Ca Test Kit? http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Sun, 28 Jun 2026 20:13:27 +0000 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:25:06 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=47587 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : I&#039;m currently using salifert...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406900&title=good-ca-test-kit#406900 Author: kellerexpress
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 24 2011 at 1:25am

I'm currently using salifert but have had good luck with API also. Can't wait until Hanna comes out with the calcium and mag testers.]]> Thu, 24 Mar 2011 01:25:06 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406900&title=good-ca-test-kit#406900 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : I would have to say Markhas got...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406886&title=good-ca-test-kit#406886 Author: dc
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 23 2011 at 11:20pm

I would have to say Mark has got it! i have used salifert, red sea, api and hagen(nutrafin). the only 2 i trust are salifert and hagen. i now use hagen only with no problems. it is tricky at first though it took me a while to get it down, all CA tests seem this way. i would just keep trying and maybe test a saltwater mix with set parameters (normally higher end salt).
]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2011 23:20:00 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406886&title=good-ca-test-kit#406886 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : I vote for Salifert and I&#039;ve...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406877&title=good-ca-test-kit#406877 Author: Merk
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 23 2011 at 9:56pm

I vote for Salifert and I've tried others like Red Sea, API and Hagen.  I use Salifert kits for all other tests too.

Edited by Merk - March 23 2011 at 9:58pm]]> Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:56:11 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406877&title=good-ca-test-kit#406877 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : The final reading is supposed...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406007&title=good-ca-test-kit#406007 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 19 2011 at 8:56am

The final reading is supposed to be taken when the color is definitely blue. It's usually a dark blue. Realize also that this is not and does not have to be an exact science. The difference between Ca of 400 and 450 makes little difference. What really matters is to have the Alk and Calcium stay fairly steady and balanced somewhere within the ranges.
Alk 8-14 dKH
Ca 350-550 ppm
Mg 1250-1500 ppm
]]> Sat, 19 Mar 2011 08:56:19 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=406007&title=good-ca-test-kit#406007 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : I played the LFS water test game....]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405956&title=good-ca-test-kit#405956 Author: phinfan
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 18 2011 at 10:36pm

I played the LFS water test game.  Nutrafin I believe, 2 different stores, they never came up with the same numbers.  I have tried API and found it to be closer and more consistent to my own tests, which I have decided to do myself using the Salifert tests.  Salifert was recommended as being
 the most accurate, and the price of the test kits will certainly support that.  Being a newbie, and making several attempts at the water chemistry game.  I have found Salifert to be  excellent.
]]> Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:36:41 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405956&title=good-ca-test-kit#405956 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : 8.3 is textbook perfect. Alkalinity...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405825&title=good-ca-test-kit#405825 Author: CapnMorgan
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 17 2011 at 9:36pm

8.3 is textbook perfect. Alkalinity is far more important than pH, if you maintain your alk and Calcium, pH will follow. API makes a pink to blue calcium kit. It works well for me.]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:36:39 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405825&title=good-ca-test-kit#405825 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : Thanks everyone! Yeah, the one...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405822&title=good-ca-test-kit#405822 Author: Saltwater Trish
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 17 2011 at 9:30pm

Thanks everyone!  Yeah, the one I have changes from pink to lilac or light purple and it's a killer to tell when it changes.  I have the master kit by nutrafin and i'm just not thrilled with it.  My water parameters are good according to my test kit.  That dang Ca is just giving me a fit trying to figure it out.  I usually do it twice and still have trouble telling when it changes.  I'll see what I can find tomorrow when I'm out and about.  I think Aquatic Dreams only carries nutrafin Angry.  I tested Ca tonight and (if i read the stinkin' color change correctly) it was 440.  Kh was 180 and pH was 8.3.  Should I get a buffer for pH or is 8.3 ok.  I'm going to do a water change tomorrow, as it is time.  Just paranoid I guess about it all.  Learning as I go Wink]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 21:30:03 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405822&title=good-ca-test-kit#405822 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : It can be difficult if you have...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405743&title=good-ca-test-kit#405743 Author: bfessler
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 17 2011 at 3:06pm

It can be difficult if you have trouble distinguishing variations in color. I use the Salifert Kit and fortunately my color perception is pretty good so it works well for me.

Hanna Instruments is working on a digital calcium checker which should make things easier for those with limited color perception. Here is an article from Glass Box Design.

http://glassbox-design.com/2010/hanna-checker-calcium-alkalinity-magnesium-and-nitrate-colorimeter/
]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:06:00 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405743&title=good-ca-test-kit#405743 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : Red Sea does the same color change...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405723&title=good-ca-test-kit#405723 Author: WhiteReef
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 17 2011 at 12:33pm

Red Sea does the same color change pink - purple - blue.]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:33:47 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405723&title=good-ca-test-kit#405723 <![CDATA[Good Ca Test Kit? : Ive never had a reason to not...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405721&title=good-ca-test-kit#405721 Author: wickedsnowman
Subject: 47587
Posted: March 17 2011 at 12:25pm

Ive never had a reason to not trust api. Its the same sort of deal as sailfert changes from pink to purple then blue.]]> Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:25:25 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47587&PID=405721&title=good-ca-test-kit#405721