API Calcium test kit questions

[cipher43]

So I have just started to get into hard corals and am needing to pay alot more attention to my calcium levels. I am using the API reefmaster and saltwater kits and am not sure on the end color for the calcium test. I have seen some people say you wait till it changes from pink to the purple-ish color you get instead of going to a full blue. Is this true?

 

[snakeblitz33]

I believe the test kit says that you should add one drop at a time until the solution turns from blue to light pink. Count your drops and the last drop that you add to make it turn pink is your last number you count.
I know that on API kits, if it turns pink at the count of 20, your calcium is 400ppm. I start at the 18 count and then start adding drop by drop until it changes to light pink.
HTH.

 

[cipher43]

It does go from pink to purple-ish. The instructions say to let it go from pink to purple to blue and it should only take 1 or 2 drops after it turns purple but i never seem to get a true blue color. So is the drastic pink to purple color the change im looking for or do I need to keep going?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Im goin to go home after work and run a test. Your confusing me. I think you are overcomplicating it and over-thinking it.
Hopefully someone else will come on the thread and be able to tell you before i get home.

 

[cipher43]

Ok. can you take pictures of what you call your final color please? It may just be that my thoughts on what blue and purple and pink are not what I thought it should be.

 

[meowzer]

Might want to get a Salifert Calcium test.....much more reliable...and IMO easier to read

 

[mr. limpid]

It is usually a 1 drop difference from purple to dark blue. So if you were at 420 at blue then you are good, but if you were at 400 you are boarder line, its better to be high. If you are doing a reef, especially for SPS you'll need a magnesium test kit.

 

[cipher43]

Today I tested it and it turned purple at 17 drops which is 340. I never see a change to dark blue unless I add 8-10 drops after purple at which point I would call it a true blue.

 

[mr. limpid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cipher43 http:///t/392044/api-calcium-test-kit-questions#post_3479431
Today I tested it and it turned purple at 17 drops which is 340. I never see a change to dark blue unless I add 8-10 drops after purple at which point I would call it a true blue.
Ok its more like a dark purple, so it sounds like your low on calcium. Or you also need to know what your akh is and mag., because they are all related, you should read this article to get a better understanding of how its all related. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-06/rhf/index.php