Less frustrating Ca test kit?

Jason Donohoe · 01/16/2009, 05:53 PM

I am a little frustrated with my Ca test.

I am currently using the IO test kit. I find the colour change difficult to appreciate. It turns from pink/red to a purple but seems to change over the course of a few drops.

Is there a Ca test with a clearer end point?

Thanks.

RokleM · 01/16/2009, 06:38 PM

Elos is extremely easy to use and there is little question as to the endpoint.

Jason Donohoe · 01/16/2009, 07:10 PM

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

bertoni · 01/17/2009, 12:33 AM

I got better results with the IO kits when I waited a full minute after the solution turned purple, and then continued the titration.

Todd March · 01/17/2009, 01:31 AM

As bertoni mentioned, waiting after each drop is the key to a lot of Ca tests...

Like Eric, I really like Elos's kit, but you have to shake and then wait a minute. It often turns blueish, but then slowly reverts back to a more purple hue. When the titration stays blue after a good minute, it's only then that you can trust your reading...

marineaddict · 01/17/2009, 08:09 AM

I like Elos and antother option is the Salifert tests - Very easy to use. Currently using one now.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/17/2009, 08:21 AM

I find the Salifert kit easy to use, and when I've checked it years ago it was accurate as best I could tell.

Jason Donohoe · 01/17/2009, 10:30 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I'll try waiting longer after each drop when I get close to the end (expected end). When I run out of reagents for the IO kit I think I will try the Elos or Salifert.

Todd March · 01/17/2009, 02:25 PM

The Salifert is a good Ca test, though it tends to read about 20ppm higher than the Elos, and I know at times (such as when forgetting to turn the doser back on) that the Elos has to be more accurate...

But with the Salifert the titration change is almost instantaneous and you don't have to wait longer than 10 seconds or so, IME...

Mike O'Brien · 01/17/2009, 02:51 PM

I like the Elos test kit too, but I seem to run out of reagent A way before B. Other kit's I've used were the opposite. They could get way more tests out of the kit by adding more A.

Todd March · 01/17/2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mike O'Brien
I like the Elos test kit too, but I seem to run out of reagent A way before B. Other kit's I've used were the opposite. They could get way more tests out of the kit by adding more A.

+1, totally agree...

Mike O'Brien · 01/17/2009, 03:15 PM

LOL. Last week I ran out of A on the Elos, so I pulled out an old API kit and ran out of B. Go figure....

RokleM · 01/18/2009, 05:20 PM

If I recall properly, Jesse@elos has mentioned supplying specific kit parts to your LFS if they're a reseller in the past. I don't know if the reagent A is one of them.

saltaholic · 01/18/2009, 07:08 PM

I just bought today Red Sea's calcium, magn, nitrate test kits. I wanted to compare to my other kits which consist of salifert and some others. The kits were 10-13 dollars a kit. I am very pleased and considering that they are half the price of others is a major factor as well. Colors were much easier to read for nitrates compared to salifert. Calc and magn. were distinct color changes. The calcium reads in 10 ppm increments. My point is to not discredit any of the others but to point out cheap but reliable comparisons which I think is a important practice when using any type or brand of test kits.

bertoni · 01/18/2009, 11:50 PM

My Red Sea kits expired very quickly, which apparently is fairly common, due to their liquid reagent design. Mine went back to the store. They do seem to generate a lot of complaints.

saltaholic · 01/19/2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bertoni
My Red Sea kits expired very quickly, which apparently is fairly common, due to their liquid reagent design. Mine went back to the store. They do seem to generate a lot of complaints.

Interesting, have to keep an eye on them. As of now, I am getting matched results among the different brands. Always wonder if results are accurate enough to depend on. Why I like a variety. Thinking your able to feed the way you have been only to find that your polluting the hell out of your tank because a reputable/non reputable test kit said that waste was in check

Anyway just babbling carry on

01/16/2009, 05:53 PM	#1
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 640	Less frustrating Ca test kit? I am a little frustrated with my Ca test. I am currently using the IO test kit. I find the colour change difficult to appreciate. It turns from pink/red to a purple but seems to change over the course of a few drops. Is there a Ca test with a clearer end point? Thanks. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

01/16/2009, 06:38 PM	#2
RokleM Pingy pingy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,814	Elos is extremely easy to use and there is little question as to the endpoint. __________________ -Eric-

01/16/2009, 07:10 PM	#3
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 640	Thanks, I'll give it a try. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

01/17/2009, 12:33 AM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,496	I got better results with the IO kits when I waited a full minute after the solution turned purple, and then continued the titration. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

01/17/2009, 01:31 AM	#5
Todd March Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 4,085	As bertoni mentioned, waiting after each drop is the key to a lot of Ca tests... Like Eric, I really like Elos's kit, but you have to shake and then wait a minute. It often turns blueish, but then slowly reverts back to a more purple hue. When the titration stays blue after a good minute, it's only then that you can trust your reading... __________________ My hobby? I glue animals to rocks... Current Tank Info: Rimless Starfire 85g SPS (36" x 26" x 21"): ATI Powermodule 10 x 39W, ATB Small Cone, RK2, Vortech MP40W, 6025 Stream modded, MAG 9.5 return, Balling

01/17/2009, 08:09 AM	#6
marineaddict Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 861	I like Elos and antother option is the Salifert tests - Very easy to use. Currently using one now.

01/17/2009, 08:21 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 81,937	I find the Salifert kit easy to use, and when I've checked it years ago it was accurate as best I could tell. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Club 65535 Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/17/2009, 10:30 AM	#8
Jason Donohoe Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Guelph, Ontario, Canada Posts: 640	Thanks for all the replies. I'll try waiting longer after each drop when I get close to the end (expected end). When I run out of reagents for the IO kit I think I will try the Elos or Salifert. __________________ Jason Current Tank Info: 72 gallon bowfront softie tank

01/17/2009, 02:25 PM	#9
Todd March Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 4,085	The Salifert is a good Ca test, though it tends to read about 20ppm higher than the Elos, and I know at times (such as when forgetting to turn the doser back on) that the Elos has to be more accurate... But with the Salifert the titration change is almost instantaneous and you don't have to wait longer than 10 seconds or so, IME... __________________ My hobby? I glue animals to rocks... Current Tank Info: Rimless Starfire 85g SPS (36" x 26" x 21"): ATI Powermodule 10 x 39W, ATB Small Cone, RK2, Vortech MP40W, 6025 Stream modded, MAG 9.5 return, Balling

01/17/2009, 02:51 PM	#10
Mike O'Brien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,351	I like the Elos test kit too, but I seem to run out of reagent A way before B. Other kit's I've used were the opposite. They could get way more tests out of the kit by adding more A.

01/17/2009, 03:15 PM	#12
Mike O'Brien Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,351	LOL. Last week I ran out of A on the Elos, so I pulled out an old API kit and ran out of B. Go figure....

01/18/2009, 05:20 PM	#13
RokleM Pingy pingy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,814	If I recall properly, Jesse@elos has mentioned supplying specific kit parts to your LFS if they're a reseller in the past. I don't know if the reagent A is one of them. __________________ -Eric-

01/18/2009, 07:08 PM	#14
saltaholic Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: York, Pa Posts: 1,088	I just bought today Red Sea's calcium, magn, nitrate test kits. I wanted to compare to my other kits which consist of salifert and some others. The kits were 10-13 dollars a kit. I am very pleased and considering that they are half the price of others is a major factor as well. Colors were much easier to read for nitrates compared to salifert. Calc and magn. were distinct color changes. The calcium reads in 10 ppm increments. My point is to not discredit any of the others but to point out cheap but reliable comparisons which I think is a important practice when using any type or brand of test kits. __________________ Joe -Duu it! Current Tank Info: 37gal oceanic cube... When I own a home I will put a hole in the wall and stuff it with a big glass box ;)

01/18/2009, 11:50 PM	#15
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 68,496	My Red Sea kits expired very quickly, which apparently is fairly common, due to their liquid reagent design. Mine went back to the store. They do seem to generate a lot of complaints. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni