SeaChem Copper Test Kit

[btkrausen]

When I was measuring copper today, it took it greater than the 20-30 seconds to start changing colors. However, when using the reference that came with it, the colors changed pretty quick.

The directions say to measure after 20-30 seconds, but it stays clear until at least a minute. I'm measuring Culpramine. The first sample was NSW with 2 drops per gallon that was mixing in a 5 gallon bucket. The second was the same water after I put 10 more drops in, and there was a difference though.

Is it ok to wait longer than the 20-30 seconds to compare colors?

 

[btkrausen]

Bump for the weekend crew I know some of you are using this test kit...

 

[swannyson7]

I've never used the Seachem test, but noticed the same thing with the Salifert test last year. It took a good 15 minutes to notice the color change and I ended up finding that the test kit was past expiration.

 

[btkrausen]

Oh, well, this is a brand new kit that just got delivered yesterday from Premium Aquatics. Expiration is like 2013 or something like that.

The thing that baffled me is that the reference changes very quickly, while tank water takes a bit.

 

[swannyson7]

I jsut looked at the directions of my salifert and it says:
Allow it to stand for 10 minutes. Some copper medications might use strongly bound copper and would require a waiting time of 20 minutes. In case of doubt compare the value after 10 and 20 minutes of waiting. The highest value should be noted.

Maybe the culpramine is a "strongly bound copper"

 

[btkrausen]

Mine calls the other copper something else, but right after, in parenthesis, says that culpramine is not one of those types of copper. Otherwise, I'd slap myself for not reading the directions, haha