Salifert - There are some problems with kits

[maxalmon]

I'm having issues with my salifert test kits. I just started using the B-Ionic 2 part products and I was trying to determine the correct daily dosing, I was testing my calcium and dKH twice a day. I had finally leveled out on adding 60ml of calcium per day which gave me a reading of 425 on a consistent basis (testing everday over a 2 week period with old test kit), the next day a new salifert test kit arrives and all a sudden the readings are all over the place 500, 325, 475, 400 etc... Nothing changed with dosing, so I performed several test over a few hours with the new kit and not once were the readings the same, yet when I used the old salifert kit the readings were 425, performed 3 times with same readings..There is a problem
.
Now I'm having the same problems with my new dKH kit, there is no chance of contamination or my performing the test wrong, only thing that has changed is that they added a funky new dropper top to one of the reagents
.
Today I was over on -- and found a thread about other people are now having problems with the test kits, anyone else noticed a change? Seems to be associated with kits that were just purchased

 

[weberian]

Thanks for the warning.

 

[renogaw]

there's a whole thread on -- about how bad the saliferts are, but the owner just got back from the dead and is helping people out

 

[gatorwpb]

Thanks for the heads up. I swear by my Salifert calc and alk tests, but I have the old ones. Only test once every two weeks and readings always consistent.
Whats the problem? Is the new dropper not consistent on the size of the drops? Did the dropper replace the syringe?

 

[drewdog82]

I also use Salifert to test my calcium. I have the old test, but when I need to buy a new one can someone suggest a reliable one that will be close to as good as the old Salifert test for calcium?

 

[aztec reef]

salifer kits aren't bad! it's simple, you may have gotten a bad batch.. All you have to do is test with the new kits, test with the old kits, then compare both of the results with your LFS or a different source..then you'll know wich one is right..

 

[maxalmon]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
salifer kits aren't bad! it's simple, you may have gotten a bad batch.. All you have to do is test with the new kits, test with the old kits, then compare both of the results with your LFS or a different source..then you'll know wich one is right..
Yeah, but we shouldn't have to do that and beside they should be testing each batch, now there are thousands of people who have to spend money twice on test kits. A responsible company would step up and say "problem with product, doing a recall etc..."

 

[sjimmyh]

I have a Salifert Strontium test kit. It actually measures Calcium first and then the second half of the test is for Strontium. Its kind of two kits in one, if you didn't know.
Anyway. Salifert tells me I have 440 calcium. API tells me I have 420. Bottom line, IMO, 20 ppm aint squat when it comes to calcium. I really don't care which one is more accurate. I know if I use API its close enough to tell me what i need to know, and I can spend more on livestock.
Only reason I use salifert for Strontium is because it was the only one available. The only test I need to know really really accurately, again just my opinion, is pH. I have a digital meter for that.
Don't know about you all, but I have never lost livestock from my tank being 20 ppm off on my calcium levels, 1-2 dKH off on alkalinity, 5 ppm off on nitrate, etc... As long as the kit is not from a bad lot (which can happen to any company, I suppose) I haven't found any kit out there that was so inaccurate that I refused to use it. I used to be able to use different kits for free working at a retail store. Can't recall any of them that turned me off.
I have found some that cost way more than others do, though. As, I am sure, you have too.

 

[renogaw]

btw, a way to test your alk kit is 1.1 grams of baking soda in 1 gallon of distilled watter is 10dkh.
it is true that we shouldn't have to go through the whole thing of double checking our test kits because they are so much more expnsive and advertised as the most accurate. Their ceo/main chemist has been AFK and finally back on the boards. trust me, the guy is trying to take care of the issues but also wants batch numbers and such.

 

[aztec reef]

sure you shouldn't have to take it back or recheck, it just something that happends if thats the real case. then people shouldn't buy fords any more cause of the recall. i haven't had a problem with salifer for almost 10 years..

 

[azfishgal]

I'll have to go to -- and check that thread out. I just bought some Salifert tests (Calcium, Alk, pH, ammonia, and Nitrites). All I know is the dropper for the Alk test is aweful. I have had to redo the test several times because the drops are not the same size, the first will be very small and the next one will be large. I've also had that same problem with the pH test but not as often. Very frustrating.

 

[maxalmon]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
All I know is the dropper for the Alk test is aweful. I have had to redo the test several times because the drops are not the same size, the first will be very small and the next one will be large. I've also had that same problem with the pH test but not as often. Very frustrating.
I agree, the dropper top for the Alk test kit is weird, you have the one with the new red top? It kinda plops out a really tiny one when you first apply pressure. Wish I had kept my old one to see if I could replace it

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by maxalmon
I agree, the dropper top for the Alk test kit is weird, you have the one with the new red top? It kinda plops out a really tiny one when you first apply pressure. Wish I had kept my old one to see if I could replace it
Yes, it's the red dropper. I've since learned to waste the first few drops so they are uniform, which I hate because now I'm wasting my expensive test.

I reported this on -- as a Salifert rep is trying to figure out what the deal is. I'm off today to try and get another test (different brand) and to also take a water sample to my lfs to see exactly where my Alk is. Now I have no idea where it's at.

 

[aztec reef]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
I'll have to go to -- and check that thread out. I just bought some Salifert tests (Calcium, Alk, pH, ammonia, and Nitrites). All I know is the dropper for the Alk test is aweful. I have had to redo the test several times because the drops are not the same size, the first will be very small and the next one will be large. I've also had that same problem with the pH test but not as often. Very frustrating.

you really don't need the droper.. it's not a requirement, all it does help you with not overdropping drops. you can do the test without it, all you have to do is take it slow..

 

[azfishgal]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
you really don't need the droper.. it's not a requirement, all it does help you with not overdropping drops. you can do the test without it, all you have to do is take it slow..
I'm not sure what you mean because you need to add two drops to the water for your test, so how would I do that without the dropper.

 

[mudplayerx]

Maybe use the syringe from one of your old test kits to replace the dropper?

 

[maxalmon]

Originally Posted by azfishgal
I'm not sure what you mean because you need to add two drops to the water for your test, so how would I do that without the dropper.

Yeah, I was wonder about that myself. Unless you have a dropper laying around or you could get in your car drive to a drug store, buy a dropper that actually produces drops, not microdrops then a drop then a microdrop, yank the red dropper top off without spilling it everywhere, then use the dropper that you just purchased.....Or you could buy test kits where the company actually does a little research and product testing before they release something to the public.......This really irritates me, why wasn't product testing done, most places do batch testing, salifert had such a great reputation and they go and do something like this

 

[nigerbang]

Originally Posted by Aztec Reef
you really don't need the droper.. it's not a requirement, all it does help you with not overdropping drops. you can do the test without it, all you have to do is take it slow..

Do you work for Salifert??
Problems do arise from time to time....To say that someone is doing it wrong b/c they have had a problem with it is absurd...
I have also noticed the problems with the drops before...I just bought a different test kit..

 

[maxalmon]

I was wondering the same thing, either owns stock or works for them,LOL... glad somebody else chimed in...

 

[tx reef]

I have not had a problem with the new alk test........
I have been able to get even drops every time.