Red Sea Pro Test Question

[Fretfreak13]

So, I've had this unopened Red Sea Pro test kit laying around and decided to open it up and just try it out today for the heck of it. This was the most confusing, elaborate thing I think I've ever done. I messed with it for about an hour and still don't think I did it right! Am I just stupid, or...?

Anyways, I got this because my normal API test kit doesn't have cal, mag, or alk. Are Salifert tests more user friendly, or do I just need to buck up? lol

 

[bertoni]

I haven't used those test kits, but some of them might be a bit more complicated than the Salifert kits.

 

[lokii_37]

Mine seem pretty straight forward to me.
Add the correct amount of water to jar
Add correct amount of "A" to jar and shake
Add correct amount of "B" to jar shake
Screw jar to the holder piece
Draw 1.0ml of titrate into the provided syringe
Slowly add titrate to jar while swirling until color changes
Look at how much titrate was used and compare it to the chart provided

 

[Fretfreak13]

Yes yes, I did that. One time though my test jar never even turned color. And for the alk test (I think its the orange titrate one?), the color change was very slow and gradual, while the other two was as quick as flipping a light switch. I didn't know when the color change officially happened for the alk one...

 

[ArrowCrab]

Can you be more specific? What tests are you actually using and what were the results you got from them?

 

[Fretfreak13]

I was using the Red Sea Pro Calcium, Magnesium, and Alkalinity tests. After over an hour of tinkering I finally got them to come out right, its just the process of it is horribly confusing. I knew my parameters were just fine. Its a soft coral tank with no fish, and I do two small water changes a week, so the parameters should have been just fine. They were, but it was ridiculous how long it took me to get the tests to say that they were what they were.

Maybe I should just stop whining. Sorry. =/

 

[hja99]

I have used these tests for about a year. It took me probably six or seven times to get used to using them. Now I can do all three tests in about 15 minutes. I like the tests, I think that it just takes some getting used to. Use them a few times before making a final judgement.

 

[ArrowCrab]

I was using the Red Sea Pro Calcium, Magnesium, and Alkalinity tests. After over an hour of tinkering I finally got them to come out right, its just the process of it is horribly confusing. I knew my parameters were just fine. Its a soft coral tank with no fish, and I do two small water changes a week, so the parameters should have been just fine. They were, but it was ridiculous how long it took me to get the tests to say that they were what they were.

Maybe I should just stop whining. Sorry. =/

Haha, nah I found it a little confusing at firs too, but I find them easy to do now. It's just different with the titration from the other test kits I've used which threw me for a loop.

 

[lmsmith]

There are some great youtube vids that set it all out for you. Maybe they would be helpful? I'm sorry, I can't find them because I'm at work (youtube is blocked!) but they should be easy enough to search.

 

[Wills612]

It's was kinda overwhelming for me at first coming from API test kits. Just go step by step. I try to match the end color on the card.