Calcium Test Kit

[kodiak23]

I just used my last Calcium test and looking to move to a better more accurate brand instead of API.

Anybody here have preference with these Calcium Test kits?

Salifert
Red Sea
Hanna
Elos

My current test kits are

Alk - Hanna
Phosphate - Hanna
Magnesium - Red Sea
Nitrates - Still use API, but not use this much anymore

I would like to use th Hanna Calcium tester, but have read mixed reviews, but might go with Salifert or Red Sea.
Recomendations?

 

[GiantBen]

I've heard the Ca Hanna checker is total junk.

 

[kodiak23]

Just thought I would add, Ive been adding way more alk than calc each day, but as the months have been going by the amount of calc has been getting closer to the amount of alk added. Today I've finally started adding the same amount each day. I am assuming it should stay that way for a while, would I ever add more calc then alk on a routine basis?

Tests today which has been consistent for a few months, except calc went down a bit.

Alk - 8 (143)
Calc - 420 (Normally 440)

I am now dosing 23ml of each per day compared to about 5-10ml per day 4 months ago.

 

[northbay-reefer]

The corals are growing nicely. The Red sea test kit is pretty good, they have it at Age of Aquarium for a very good price.

I am currently using Lamotte for alk and Red sea for everyhting else.

Salifert test kits are not as good as they used ot be.

API alk is ok but everything else is very inaccurate.

 

[coralfarmer]

I got way different readings between the API and Red sea. I then tested it with the La Motte kit and the red sed had similar values.

 

[northbay-reefer]

James,

That Milli that I got last week is doing great, I think it is going to be hot pink with blue tips. Are there any more good pieces?

 

[lokii_37]

I use red sea for all my tests. Once in a while i will take a sample to the LFS to double check my readings and my tests usually match pretty close to what the LFS tests say. I have never used any other brand.

 

[crispyreef]

But, but API kits are soo cheap!

 

[thysrof]

SeaChem is what I've used for years. Seems great

 

[coralfarmer]

Tom,
I'm getting some stuff on friday. I have some really amazing Stylophora pistillata colonies some tri color (purple, green and pink), pink , purple and a bright yellow. All these colors have been expressed after the corals have been here a couple weeks so they should stay those colors. BTW they are under 2x250 watt 14k phoenix bulbs with lumenarc reflectors 10" off the water and the colonies are all on 3" tall PVC rings in a 12" deep flat. If that helps. I also have some nice small Acropora colonies that were cherry picked by my shipper. Two are wild colonies and the rest are aqua-cultured.

 

[Lucas M]

Argh. Want tricolor stylo so bad, but have no room for it!

As far as test kits go... I really like the Elos kits I use for Ca, Mg, KH. I'll be going away from the API kits on other params to switch to Elos.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Elos kits are nice but they are a pain to use especially the calcium kit.

 

[Reef Bass]

I like the Elos calcium test. Easy to use in my opinion. Add a couple drops, add a little chrystally powder, then titrate (count drops until color change). Vibrant colors and super pronounced color change.