calcium testing

[bryce]

I just bought a hagen ca test kit. I sure cannot make the peice of crap work. Anyone else try this test kit? I am positive I am doing it correctly and that there is a problem with the kit. Just wondering if anyone else uses this kit?

 

[broomer5]

From Hagen's website - FAQ
Calcium test kit does not work properly. No color shown
The calcium test kit does not work properly? no color during the test or I measured calcium level up to 600 mg/l ????
It is very important to shake bottle reagent #2 very very well before using (at least 5 seconds of strong shaking). Dye in the bottle settles at the bottom and it must be fully mixed into the solution before adding the drops into the vial for the test.
The endpoint will be very easy to observe and obviously the result will be much more accurate.

 

[bryce]

Tried that no wait really really tried that shook so hard i turned blue. Guess I'll scrap it and get another brand.

 

[broomer5]

Bummer
I'm not a big fan of the Hagen kits. You could have got an old one ??
I use Salifert's and FasTest calcium kits - both seem to work pretty well for me.
There's a lot of kits to choose from - many here give the Saliferts a thumbs up.

 

[brewercm]

I just bought one and it seemed to work OK for me. Not sure how accurate it is but the guy at the store appeared to be fairly knowledgable about things and said it worked OK for him. Mine tested out at 460. Since it's in 20 increments I'm guessing it could be anywhere between 440 and 460.

 

[nacl-man]

I can't say that i've been pleased with my hagen test kit either...

 

[xrayman]

My hagen is ok,but switched to salifert great kit no comparison.

 

[elan]

i have the hagen and salifert, and give the salifert a thumbs up...
I actually have the strontium test kit which tests the calcium first, and then the strontium...
i like it... more stuff to play with...lol