Thinking of using API for Calcium

[PirateLove]

Hey Reef Central. I know some people consider API kits for the new/un-experienced reef keepers but I bought the Hanah Calcium checker and I HATE it. Horrible experience.


Does anyone here use API for Calcium? Any thoughts?

 

[jay13]

I do. But i really don't trust it. They seem to read higher than the level actually is so to compensate i keep calcium at 500. No ill effects

 

[thegrun]

Spend a few dollars more and get either a Salifert, Red Sea Pro or Elos test kit. For figuring dosing or weekly trends the extra accuracy is well worth the money. Unfortunately for you I know of very few reefers who have had positive results with the Hanna Calcium Checker.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I have been using API for 10 years. For the last 5 or 6 I've had Salifert test kits as well. And I have 2 systems (400g & 200g) both with lps and sps corals.

I test with API because I have found it so easy to use and just as accurate as the other brands. Here is what I do. I test with the API kit and if I get a wild number I didn't expect, I test it again to confirm. If I confirm the wild number with the 2nd API test, then I do the same test with the Salifert test kit. Way, way more often than not, the Salifert kit just confirms the API number and is so close that I have complete confidence in the API kits.

BTW, I tried the Hanna test kits and hated them. I found them to be a giant PITA to use.