Calcium test kit advice

[Reefahholic]

Maybe there are just bad Calc Checkers and I got one.

Marine Calcium Checker® HC Calibration Check Set - HI758-11

The Marine Calcium Checker HC® Calibration Check Set - HI758-11 provides a stress-free, straightforward way to ensure your handheld colorimeter is working properly and providing accurate calcium measurements.

www.hannainst.com

 

[jason2459]

For calcium I'm happy with API or Salifert.

Being color blind, and there's many levels of that, you can check out my testing thread here which has before and after pictures of the colors to see which you may be able to see best.

Big 3 Shootout Alk, Ca, Mg: RedSea, Nyos, Elos, Salifert, API, Hanna, Triton, AWT

It's finally down to the big three. Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium. This will most definitely be the last big set of comparison testing I'll be doing as it covers all the basics of what I at least periodically test for along with the Nitrate, and PO4 shootouts done previously. My previous...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[PeterEde]

Marine Calcium Checker® HC Calibration Check Set - HI758-11

The Marine Calcium Checker HC® Calibration Check Set - HI758-11 provides a stress-free, straightforward way to ensure your handheld colorimeter is working properly and providing accurate calcium measurements.

www.hannainst.com

I have the calibration checker and my checker is calibrated according to it. But that does not take into account bad batches of reagents or the miniscule test sample.

 

[Reefahholic]

I have the calibration checker and my checker is calibrated according to it. But that does not take into account bad batches of reagents or the miniscule test sample.

How far off is it? Have you tried some new reagent’s?

 

[PeterEde]

How far off is it? Have you tried some new reagent’s?

I've had it near a year and never got the same results twice.
I've use my RODI, distilled and demin water.
I've had 3 different sets of reagents.
I have watched every video on how to and find nothing wrong with what I'm doing.

I did just realise today that it's possible each time I have tested could be just after dosing calc which would cause different results.
I usually do my testing at 4pm and all my dosing is on the hour or a few minutes after. Hmmm
I'll try bottom of the hour and see

 

[Reefahholic]

I've had it near a year and never got the same results twice.
I've use my RODI, distilled and demin water.
I've had 3 different sets of reagents.
I have watched every video on how to and find nothing wrong with what I'm doing.

I did just realise today that it's possible each time I have tested could be just after dosing calc which would cause different results.
I usually do my testing at 4pm and all my dosing is on the hour or a few minutes after. Hmmm
I'll try bottom of the hour and see

If you’re dosing right at the time of collecting the sample, it could for sure. Collect it before and upstream from the doser output. It may just be time to invest into a new checker or test kit.

 

[PeterEde]

How far off is it? Have you tried some new reagent’s?

I did 2 tests on the weekend
528 Saturday
451 Sunday
Tested with N?YOS at 425

Previously I had tests off scale.
I hope I've just figured out why. Testing just after the hour when my doser dumps 10ml of calc.
So today I'll test between hours

 

[PeterEde]

If you’re doing right at the time of collecting the sample it could for sure. Collect it before, and upstream from the doser output. It may just be time to invest into a new checker or test kit.

Kit is brand new. 3 sets of reagent and I put it away for most of the last year due to being inconsistent.

What an epiphany. Wish I had that 12 months ago. But still to be proven

 

[Reefahholic]

I did 2 tests on the weekend
528 Saturday
451 Sunday
Tested with N?YOS at 425

Previously I had tests off scale.
I hope I've just figured out why. Testing just after the hour when my doser dumps 10ml of calc.
So today I'll test between hours

Honestly I find that Cal and Mag tests are
much harder to get accurate consistent readings than say my Hanna Phosphorus ULR, Nitrate HR, and Alk.

 

[PeterEde]

Here's today's test
Distilled water
Sample taken 1hour after last Calc dose from sump before dosing compartment.
The first result I trust.
Previous nyos test was 430
Hanna Calc 429. That's close enough I'd say.

 

[Reefahholic]

Here's today's test
Distilled water
Sample taken 1hour after last Calc dose from sump before dosing compartment.
The first result I trust.
Previous nyos test was 430
Hanna Calc 429. That's close enough I'd say.

Wow, very good!

 

[PeterEde]

Wow, very good!

I would hazard to say. where people take their sample and when maybe the majority of problems with this test. However it will take a few more tests to convince me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would hazard to say. where people take their sample and when maybe the majority of problems with this test. However it will take a few more tests to convince me.

I don't think that is typically the issue, but it is something to keep in mind if the result seems unusually high and you just dosed.

 

[danimal1211]

Best advice not yet offered…pick one test and stick with that one. You’ll go mad comparing results from different test kits.

 

[PeterEde]

Best advice not yet offered…pick one test and stick with that one. You’ll go mad comparing results from different test kits.

The color metric tests are mostly good unless you are colorblind. I doubt there's much difference from one to the other. I chose the Hanna because I wanted hard numbers and didn't want to guestimate between 20 or 30ppm.
For me I like to use the color metric for the day today but go back to the Hanna for a more precise number once a month or so

 

[Dan_P]

I am currently trying the Red Sea calcium test kit. I have difficulty seeing the color changes and can’t accurately tell what my calcium is. Does anyone have a recommendation on a calcium test kit that would work in my color blind situation? I wanted to buy the Hanna calcium tester but I read that it’s terrible.

Hanna calcium test is fine. I obtain repeatable results. The kit comes with an automatic syringe to measure a tiny sample of aquarium water. You will need distilled water or 0 TDS for the test. it is all a little intimidating at first but easy to use. I would be happy to talk you through any issues.

@Rick Mathew found that for concentrations higher than 400 ppm, the reading needs a correction.

 

[Coolcasino]

I cycle the mini pipette several times in the sample water,make sure to completely depress the plunger when taking the 0.1 ml sample,

Hanna is using a 2 step Micropipette. Insert the Micropipette into whatever you need to measure. Plunge to the first point and that's your measurement. When you dispense you go pass the first step or all the way to make sure all has been dispensed... Or you can insert the Micropipette... plunge past the first step or all the way and when you dispense you go to just the first step. Then discard whatever is left when you plunge all the way.

 

[Coolcasino]

Honestly, no idea man. Spend the $0.99 on the syringe and have the superior calcium test kit. Use them with all your Hanna test kits, and start getting more accurate, repeatable results immediately.

FWIW I use syringes on all my Hanna kits. I'm going to up my game (and save time) by replacing my syringes with these.



The tiny tank sample can also cause large errors if you're not using the included pipette correctly. Mostly I think the error is the same for all the other test kits due to the cheap pipettes they use. It's just not as apparent because of the relatively high number of the calcium reading in ppm.

33% is the difference between 0.03 ppm and 0.04 ppm on your Hanna LR PO4 checker, but is the difference between 333 ppm and 500 ppm on their calcium checker.

I have all of these same brand in different measurements. I use them for all Hanna's and even salifert. Basically all my testing.

 

[Coolcasino]

If this is the case, why wouldn’t Hanna include these things in their test kit? If your test kit is useless without exact measurements/ quality RODI, wouldn’t a good company like Hanna include these in the kit? It makes no sense. I have their Alk, Nitrate, PO4 and salinity checker. I don’t have a single complaint about them. It’s as if they hired another company to make the calcium checker. And, they just sell it. Mind boggling

They actually started to include a Micropipette. Its a no name brand non adjustable one but does the job. They should have included them from the start.

 

[naterealbig]

Hanna is using a 2 step Micropipette. Insert the Micropipette into whatever you need to measure. Plunge to the first point and that's your measurement. When you dispense you go pass the first step or all the way to make sure all has been dispensed... Or you can insert the Micropipette... plunge past the first step or all the way and when you dispense you go to just the first step. Then discard whatever is left when you plunge all the way.

Ah! I learned something new. Thank you for the pro tip! @PeterEde mentioned earlier that full depress was > 0.1 ml, and now I understand - never thought to go back and verify the volume from the pipette.