I was having difficulties getting consistent results from my API Reef Master Test Kit and Hanna Testers for these parameters, so I decided to get some help. I took some tank water to my LFS and asked them to show me how to test for these.
They generously showed me how to test, using the Red Sea Foundation Pro Test Kit. I won't bother to go into a detailed discussion of the tests processes here, as there are several YouTube videos that cover them extensively.
My first impression after watching the guy at my LFS was that these tests are fairly easy to conduct.
When I got the test kit home and saw the instructions and the results cards, I was somewhat disappointed. These are printed with such small text that an old guy like me could not hope to read them easily, even with my readers on.
Well, that was simple enough to remedy. I copied them on my home printer and enlarged them to a full 8.5x11 sheet.
One small plus was the small cards were laminated to make them water resistant. I placed my printed sheets in plastic sheet protectors for the same effect.
I decided for my first set of tests I would test the saltwater I purchase from my LFS (Red Sea Coral Pro Salt). All the results came out what I consider fairly close to the manufacturer's stated parameters.
My Results (Manufacturer's results) Ca = 480 (450) Alk = 10.5 (11.5) Mag = 1400 (1350). Any variations can easily be attributed to how the LFS is mixing their salt, so I'm not concerned at this point. Not gonna chase numbers.
My next tests will be on my tank water. I'll update this review after that. In the meantime, I have washed and dried all the syringes and test vials in RO water. I'm storing the test vials filled with RO water and I have designated each vial for a specific test to avoid any possible cross-contamination.
I'll be updating in a few days. In the meantime, any feedback is appreciated.
They generously showed me how to test, using the Red Sea Foundation Pro Test Kit. I won't bother to go into a detailed discussion of the tests processes here, as there are several YouTube videos that cover them extensively.
My first impression after watching the guy at my LFS was that these tests are fairly easy to conduct.
When I got the test kit home and saw the instructions and the results cards, I was somewhat disappointed. These are printed with such small text that an old guy like me could not hope to read them easily, even with my readers on.
Well, that was simple enough to remedy. I copied them on my home printer and enlarged them to a full 8.5x11 sheet.
One small plus was the small cards were laminated to make them water resistant. I placed my printed sheets in plastic sheet protectors for the same effect.
I decided for my first set of tests I would test the saltwater I purchase from my LFS (Red Sea Coral Pro Salt). All the results came out what I consider fairly close to the manufacturer's stated parameters.
My Results (Manufacturer's results) Ca = 480 (450) Alk = 10.5 (11.5) Mag = 1400 (1350). Any variations can easily be attributed to how the LFS is mixing their salt, so I'm not concerned at this point. Not gonna chase numbers.
My next tests will be on my tank water. I'll update this review after that. In the meantime, I have washed and dried all the syringes and test vials in RO water. I'm storing the test vials filled with RO water and I have designated each vial for a specific test to avoid any possible cross-contamination.
I'll be updating in a few days. In the meantime, any feedback is appreciated.