Problem with doing a Strontium test

Ruzology

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I have a Salifert test kit and have tested for calcium as the first stage in the test kiytbut when I reach step 8 adding x2 level spoons of Sr-5 I get a light ink/purple colour. Then 12 min later I need to add drops of Sr-3 until the colour changes to blue. Problem is after 12 min the colour is already blue! Does than mean my Strontium level is off the chart low and I ned to add this element or is my test kit faulty. Or possibly too old as I have had it for a long time...
 

Peace River

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I'm not familiar with that specific test kit for that item, but I did want to jump in and welcome you to Reef2Reef!
 

P-Dub

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WELCOME!!! That is a good question. I am unfamiliar with Salifert and how Strontium levels affect the Calcium test. Someone here might very well use Salifert and help you out.
 

Billldg

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Welcome to R2R!!!

Fellow R2R members, correct me if I am wrong, but, I believe none of the trace elements test kits are really accurate. They just don't measure in the low range very well. The margin of error is just to wide.

I use the Trident test for those reasons.
 

vetteguy53081

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The Salifert test kit is a titration based test and is relatively easy to use. It just takes a little longer as you first test for calcium and then move onto the final step, this takes between 12-15 minutes. Strontium appears and looks like calcium, as it gets deposited into precipitating calcium carbonate in place of calcium. This is also true whether its a coral depositing its skeleton, or abiotic precipitation on heaters, pumps, etc.
Strontium will decline in a reef tank if it is not supplemented somehow. Im not sure thought , what would happen when it gets high but if you don't dose strontium, it is very unlikely to get high. An ICP test would give you a more precise count on your Sr levels.
 

vetteguy53081

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