Calcium level opinions

[Adenrow]

I purchased a replacement chemical kit for my Red Sea pro calcium test kit. The first test with the new test kit showed I was over 500ppm calcium. The old test kit was right around 430ppm. Trying to decide what is right and wrong I decided to check fresh mixed salt water. I'm using reef crystals at 1.024 using a refractometer calibrated with calibration solution. The fresh salt water tested at over 500ppm as well. I then borrowed a friends red sea pro calcium test kit and the result was over 500ppm as well.

I'm not sure what to believe or even how to proceed. I may end up purchasing another test kit as I'm not confident in the results I'm getting. None of the numbers make sense.

Does anyone have similar experiences that they could share?

Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JohnK]

Well the reefcrystals at 1.024 shouldn't be over 500. Are you sure your following the directions correctly? I once thought I had a bad elos Ca kit, but then found out that I was holding the bottles at the wrong angle which caused the drops to come out smaller than intended, which then caused 500+ reading.

Most of the good LFSs will double check a water sample for you. Maybe try that to confirm that the new kit is off, and or see if they can figure out what's going wrong with the kit you already have.

Personally I'd go with elos or salifert based on past experience, but I haven't tried the red sea kits.

 

[Marshall O]

I use Red Sea for calcium. Seems to read right on with where it should be, right around 450 at 1.026. While you calibrate with 35ppt solution, have you ever cleaned your refractometer with RO/DI water? You can actually get salt buildup on the lens if you don't clean it which will skew your results.

 

[Adenrow]

I do clean it with RODI after a few uses, but I don't use RODI every time. I have a micro fiber cloth I clean it off with. I will check the salinity and then give it a good RODI bath and see if things change.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts Marshall.

Being new to the hobby it is great to hear these types of things as it keeps me on the right track. There is just so much to learn and experience. I'm having a great time with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk