What is the quickest, easiest, accurate calcium test?

raynist · 06/29/2006, 09:06 PM

I have the Seachem test, but it is a pain because you need to mix in a powder and then add RO water. I also have the Tropic Marin but that is harder to read (not much color change) and also uses a powder.

Is there any test that doesn't use a powder, maybe drops instead? I find I skip this test frequently because it takes longer to do. I really like the ease of the Salifert kh tests, are their Ca tests just as easy?

Thanks
Ray

mattnano · 06/29/2006, 09:14 PM

Instand ocean used little beads instead of powder but it also has 2 liquid's to add. Its not that hard to do but is prob just as much of a PITA as all the others. On a side note I think the only way to get away from powders is a pinpoint CA electronic monitor witch got really bad reviews on RC's product reviews and its like 250$

Reefugee · 06/29/2006, 09:17 PM

The Salifert test kit are great. My only complaint about them is that sometimes the color change is hard to detect (dark blue vs dark pink). This problem can be avoided by adding about 4 ml of water to dilute the the solution. Basically - add 2ml of your aquarium water. Then add 4ml of RODI water. They proceed as normal.

affan · 06/29/2006, 09:20 PM

The Salifert CA tests use powder and then two liquid regeants. Far as ease of use is concerned, they're just as easy as the their Alk test. Takes me a couple of minutes usually for each.

whiteshark · 06/29/2006, 09:22 PM

IMO, Salifert Ca test color change is very easy to detect...

Sk8r · 06/29/2006, 09:31 PM

In the Salifert test, there's the vial, a dose of purple powder, 8 drops of mystery fluid B, your usual syringe of mystery fluid A, and you've got a reading.

raynist · 06/29/2006, 09:38 PM

Sounds like the are all similar. I am always afraid I will not get the exact amount of powder in there and skew the results.

06/29/2006, 09:06 PM	#1
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	What is the quickest, easiest, accurate calcium test? I have the Seachem test, but it is a pain because you need to mix in a powder and then add RO water. I also have the Tropic Marin but that is harder to read (not much color change) and also uses a powder. Is there any test that doesn't use a powder, maybe drops instead? I find I skip this test frequently because it takes longer to do. I really like the ease of the Salifert kh tests, are their Ca tests just as easy? Thanks Ray

06/29/2006, 09:22 PM	#5
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	IMO, Salifert Ca test color change is very easy to detect... __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

06/29/2006, 09:31 PM	#6
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	In the Salifert test, there's the vial, a dose of purple powder, 8 drops of mystery fluid B, your usual syringe of mystery fluid A, and you've got a reading. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

06/29/2006, 09:14 PM	#2
mattnano Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 184	Instand ocean used little beads instead of powder but it also has 2 liquid's to add. Its not that hard to do but is prob just as much of a PITA as all the others. On a side note I think the only way to get away from powders is a pinpoint CA electronic monitor witch got really bad reviews on RC's product reviews and its like 250$

06/29/2006, 09:17 PM	#3
Reefugee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 6,105	The Salifert test kit are great. My only complaint about them is that sometimes the color change is hard to detect (dark blue vs dark pink). This problem can be avoided by adding about 4 ml of water to dilute the the solution. Basically - add 2ml of your aquarium water. Then add 4ml of RODI water. They proceed as normal.

06/29/2006, 09:20 PM	#4
affan Moved On Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: From NYC, currently serving time in Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 1,125	The Salifert CA tests use powder and then two liquid regeants. Far as ease of use is concerned, they're just as easy as the their Alk test. Takes me a couple of minutes usually for each.

06/29/2006, 09:38 PM	#7
raynist Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,921	Sounds like the are all similar. I am always afraid I will not get the exact amount of powder in there and skew the results.