Calcium test kit test

[Billybeau1]

I promised someone in another thread that I would test the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals calcium test kit. So here's what I did. I tested my tank water with 2 different Salifert kits, a new API kit and a new Seachem kit. Here's the results

My old Salifert kit 395 ppm
My New Salifert kit 390 ppm
API Calcium kit 390 ppm
Seachem 325 ppm.

The Seachem comes with a 425 ppm reference solution and it measured 425 so I don't get it. I then tested Seachems 425 reference solution with the Salifert and the API and got 500 with both.

Anyways, I was pretty pleased with the API kit, not only accuracy and ease of use but the end point jumps out at you when you reach your target. IMO a good test for the price.

 

[hilgert]

API test thread:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1139504

 

[Boomer]

Well Billy I can anser that. You tune your ref. sol. so it only reads right on your kit

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10150044#post10150044 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boomer
Well Billy I can anser that. You tune your ref. sol. so it only reads right on your kit

You know Boom, I thought of that, but I am trying to remain open minded.

You know, it's interesting that it is the only test that requires dilution with ro/do.

hmmm.

 

[jdieck]

If I remember well LaMotte also uses dilution as well as Hach.
By the way, In my testing Salifert always read 50 to 70 ppm higher than Seachem. Before Salifert cam out with the new protocol the older kit use to have only a difference of between 10 and 20 ppm.

 

[Billybeau1]

Yes jd, thats about what I'm getting now, 70 ppm higher, but the API matches the Salifert.

Maybe I need one more good ($$$) kit to see which one is correct. :lol:

 

[jdieck]

For the time being, when using the Salifert I try to keep the tank at 475 ppm. When using the Seachem I try at 400 ppm, If both are wrong I'll fall in between, if one is right I will still be in range
Well, I think a third party reference in salt is in order.

 

[HowardW]

<<< My old Salifert kit 395 ppm
My New Salifert kit 390 ppm
API Calcium kit 390 ppm
Seachem 325 ppm. >>>


I would trust the Seachem results

 

[jdieck]

THe issue is that a good reference solution has to be with a similar composition of salts that we use, not easy to find.
Metals can really mess up the reading, this is why dilution helps as it might bring metals down to a non interference level

 

[mano1192]

I wish there was a good digital CA meter that was accurate, anyone know of one? I read reviews on one CA meter and it was said to be terrible, I forget the model Hanna maybe?

 

[jdieck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10154139#post10154139 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mano1192
I wish there was a good digital CA meter that was accurate, anyone know of one? I read reviews on one CA meter and it was said to be terrible, I forget the model Hanna maybe?

Pin Point has one and is accurate if kept properly calibrated and clean. Not for continuous monitoring.

 

[Billybeau1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10153938#post10153938 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HowardW
I would trust the Seachem results

Howard, I can't be sure just yet , but I don't think so.

But I will figure this out. Believe me.

I've had a lot of problems with Seachems test kits in the past. They make fine additives. I use the Reef Kalkwasser, Reef Complete and occasionally Marine buffer. And in the next few days, I will be testing their Reef Salt.

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10154260#post10154260 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Howard, I can't be sure just yet , but I don't think so.

But I will figure this out. Believe me.

I've had a lot of problems with Seachems test kits in the past. They make fine additives. I use the Reef Kalkwasser, Reef Complete and occasionally Marine buffer. And in the next few days, I will be testing their Reef Salt.

I agree with you. I've used Seachem's test kits and saliferts... hands down my vote goes salifert. I always had mixed results using the seachems... ONLY 1 time, I got the correct reading doing it myself. I had someone else test my water with the exact kit and he got a better result then what I got.

 

[HowardW]

<<< I agree with you. I've used Seachem's test kits and saliferts... hands down my vote goes salifert. I always had mixed results using the seachems >>>


Hmmm, I've had the exact opposite experiences. I've always used Seachem test kits with reliable and consistent results, and the one time I just recently bought the Salifert alkalinity and magnesium test kits they were both defective and I threw them both away.

 

[powdertang05]

ive used tropic marin test kits and campared them to salifert and api all 3 times they all were near each other. salifert 460,465,460 api 460,460,460 TM 420,420,420
then in mag testing salifert 1200,1140,1110 tm 1200,1200,1200 at this point im going to purchase elos and test against them

 

[Billybeau1]

One of the reasons I believe the Salifert kit over the Seachem is that if the Seachem were correct then Instant Ocean would contain only 270 ppm calcium. And most everyone I know has IO at about 340

No matter what salt mix I test, the Seachem is about 70 ppm lower, like jd said. And the fact that the API is real close to the Salifert...... well.

I just may buy one more brand calcium test kit because i'm a testing fool

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10153479#post10153479 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Billybeau1
Maybe I need one more good ($$$) kit to see which one is correct. :lol:

Thats sounds like a great reason to buy your own mass spectrometer. :bigeyes:

 

[Billybeau1]

I've run out of excuses with the wife. :lol:

No spectrometer in my near future. I don't enjoy sleeping on the couch.

 

[jrdiveman]

I also have been using both the API and the Salifert test kits to check my calcium. Both test out at 420. I had just been using just the API and I was getting low on the API so decided to buy the Salifert . I use a Salifert kit to test for Mg ,their kits are supposed to be the best in the business so I thought I use one to test for Ca . I find that the API kit is easier to use than the Salifert and quite a bit cheaper. When I have to buy another CA test kit I will be going back to the API brand.

 

[Billybeau1]

Well, I agree they both match close for accuracy. I am not clear about the price though. Salifert claims about 50 tests, and API doesn't say. I'm going to try and keep track of the API tests and see how many tests I get from one box. Because......... I'm a testing fool.