Best calcium test kit?

[Auston]

Hey looking for an accurate test kit to replace my garbadge api test kit. Anyone know what is considered to be very accurate calcium test kit? I decided it was time when I have tested the last 7 days and the results are all over the map

 

[shifty51008]

Ive liked the salifert test for cal, alk and mag. Red sea's is also a good one also.

 

[bobbravo2]

Best calcium test kit?

+1 for salifert. If I had planned it, I'd highly recommend the Red Sea reef foundation kit: it's Alk+Ca+Mg in one kit - I've had excellent results with both brands

 

[Auston]

I do have the red Sea magnesium test and do like it. I guess I will stay in the red Sea family and grab a calcium test from them

 

[bobbravo2]

Plus-they sell refills for Red Sea

 

[E46er]

I use salifert, for cal alk mg nitrate. They give consistent results.

 

[snorvich]

I use Elos for Ca, Mg, Alk. Going on five years at this point.

 

[jason2459]

Hmmm, I rather like my API calcium and Alk kit.

There's lots of options and opinions out there but except for a few I've found most all hobby grade test kits more then accurate enough.

I've done a few threads on several test kit comparisons

Nitrate Test Kit Shoot out: NYOS Salifert RedSea API
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2538789

PO4 Phosphate Test Kit Shoot out: NYOS Elos Pro Salifert Hanna Checkers Seachem
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2540702

API and Salifert Calcium and Alk Tests
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1927189

Triton vs. Aquamedic AWT vs. Hobbyist kits API Salifert Elos RedSea Hanna etc
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2541190

Hobbyist vs. Triton testing
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2537234

Me Personally, I like and use:
Salinity: Veegee Refractometer is my favorite. But also use a pinpoint probe, apex probe, and a Milwaukee digital

pH: my hanna handheld I've had for years is my favorite. I also use 2 apex probes

Temp: my hanna handheld. And also have 3 apex temp probes and a Ranco.

ORP: my hanna handheld and also tracking with an apex probe.

Alk: API as it's so easy, cheap, and has been very consistent

Calcium: API also same as above

Mg: Salifert as it's been the most consistent for me and made for aquarium saltwater. Red Sea Mg has been the worse test kit I've ever used.

Phosphate: Hach but its expensive so I use and get consistent results with my Hanna ULR phosphorus egg. Elos PO4 Pro is a good option as well.

Nitrate: API has been good enough for me but changing to Salifert so I don't have to shake the snot out of bottle 2 anymore. If I ever cared to get into ULNS I'd go Red Sea Pro Nitrate.

For everything else I don't care to much about but to test for once or twice a year Triton

 

[jason2459]

I use Elos for Ca, Mg, Alk. Going on five years at this point.

I'm thinking of doing the big three alk, calcium, and mag for my next round of comparison tests.

I am looking forward to trying out the Elos kits. I was very happy with their Pro PO4 kit.

 

[chilli_reef]

Personally I like seachem for mag and calc.
I use api for everything else. I have api calc. And I do use it but the seachem I feel is more accurate.
Seachem is waaay more complicated to use though, for everything it seems.
I'll try the side by side test my self I reckon. I'll do it three times each for a good comparison.
My api is always lower then my seachem results though.

 

[chilli_reef]

Just tested my calcium
Api read 100 higher then seahcem ?

 

[A.Astore]

We grabbed the API Calcium test because originally we thought coral was well down the path. I was headed into the LFS so I took some water in so he could test the calcium because API has provided me with some awesome results with repeat testing resulting in rather large differences. I tested with API right before I left and had it read 380. The Salifert kit the LFS used came in at 460.

API has given me some good times with their tests but I have to wonder how misguided I was in the results and all the water changes I have made from the various tests results (I am sure my city loves being able to charge me for sewage that they don't actually have to process as I run my RODI since the waste water my grass, etc). Alk is starting to give me some wide range swings as well so I will be slowly switching to another brand as the API run out. Most of them at least allow me to keep the environment stable. for now

I will credit the Salifert choice on Reefcentral users because so many seem to trust them.

 

[WolfInRed]

I have just about every brand test kit made to cross check everything. I like Red Sea the best. The titration unit is great. Else it is very similar to salifert. In all cases you need to fully titrate the solution. Keep agitating and adding till you have a stable color. The Hanna Ca checker is way too complicated and inaccurate. I also send a water sample to Triton every 6 months.