Salifert Calcium test (color not changing)

[Ryan9212]

Hi everyone, I recently got a new salifert kit and for some reason cannot get a correct reading after 4 tries over a couple of days. Expiration says 07-2023 so I don't think this can be the problem.

When I am adding the final 1ml of Ca-3 until the color changes to clear blue, I end up adding the entire amount without any change.

I've noticed most online instructions are slightly different from the ones I have that came with the kit.
This is what the instructions say and it is exactly what I am doing...

I add 2ml of tank water into the vile, then 1 spoon of Ca-1 and 10 drops of Ca-2, swirl for 10 seconds and then slowly add the CA-3 in the 1ml syringe. I am able to add the entire amount without a color change.

I have read other instructions mention 8 drops of Ca-2 but the instructions I have say 10 drops. This can't possibly be a mistake in the test instructions?

I've been using the api test and everything in the tank is doing well, although I know this test could be off it currently is showing Ca at 400ppm and I am pretty sure this is approx where it currently is at.

Any idea of what I could be doing wrong?

Thanks for the help!

 

[ZoWhat]

Ime....

Then your calcium is above 500ppm or whatever the top limit is after exhausting the 1ml of CA3.

You're high off the charts

You'll have to add an additional 1ml of CA3 to the vial

.....and see where it lands on dripping that 2nd ml of CA3....then do the math to see how hi above 500pm you are

 

[ScottR]

This thread may be of use.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/salifert-calcium-test-kit-instructions-change.357317/

 

[Mjrenz]

Where is the level of the liquid in the syringe when the plunger is at 1?

 

[Ryan9212]

Thanks for the quick replies. The liquid is around .85 when the plunger is at 1ml. I did see that other thread and Randy mentions the Mg has to be precipitated out and my magnesium levels are definitely higher at 1410ppm so I am thinking this could be the case? And the test kit is not working because of it?

I really do not think my Ca is 500+ The Api kit says 400ppm and I was going off this test before I got the new test kit. I was adding Ca based on these test results and the next test would show the correct increase based on the amount I added

 

[Mjrenz]

. 85 is where it should be so that's good, even though there is a possibility that there's a problem with your kit I would trust the salifert before I trusted api. Try what was suggested above by filling the syringe again and see what you get, it may be high. For confirmation you could have your lfs test it as well

 

[ScottR]

Just curious, what salt do you use and do you dose? I use red sea pro coral salt and I use a Colombo test kit for Ca (I don’t dose). After I do a WC I have to put almost all of the liquid in before it changes color. My Ca is usually quite high after the WC - almost 500. Dips down to 390 or so before my next WC.

 

[Mjrenz]

Just curious, what salt do you use and do you dose? I use red sea pro coral salt and I use a Colombo test kit for Ca (I don’t dose). After I do a WC I have to put almost all of the liquid in before it changes color. My Ca is usually quite high after the WC - almost 500. Dips down to 390 or so before my next WC.

I know this wasn't directed at me, I use Tropic Marin pro reef salt and don't dose calcium, just magnesium and I add Kent marine superbuffer dkh to my top off water. I don't know if I'm doing something really right or I'm just lucky but every time I test my calcium it's always 410 or 420, never higher or lower no matter when I test

 

[Ryan9212]

I'm using Instant Ocean and usually the Ca is a bit lower which is why I have to increase it a bit

 

[ScottR]

I know this wasn't directed at me, I use Tropic Marin pro reef salt and don't dose calcium, just magnesium and I add Kent marine superbuffer dkh to my top off water. I don't know if I'm doing something really right or I'm just lucky but every time I test my calcium it's always 410 or 420, never higher or lower no matter when I test

Some of us just get lucky. Aside from high and sometimes unfavorably lower calcium levels, my mg and dkh have always been in check. Dkh 10.2 normally. My friend was dosing Ca and mg and had wild swings in dkh. He switched salts and no longer doses. His dkh is stable and his Ca and mg are good.

But anyway,testing calcium with these kits probably isn’t that accurate.

 

[Ahbaloch]

Add more then 1ml


I had this happen to me when i was new

 

[Ryan9212]

Okay so you guys definitely think that my Ca levels are over 500? I haven't added Ca for a while just to see if I retest if I'll actually see a color change on the test. If this is actually the case then the different between API and Salifert is > 100ppm lol

 

[Mjrenz]

Okay so you guys definitely think that my Ca levels are over 500? I haven't added Ca for a while just to see if I retest if I'll actually see a color change on the test. If this is actually the case then the different between API and Salifert is > 100ppm lol

Have you tried adding the second syringe yet to see what you get with the salifert kit? There's a good chance it's over 500

 

[Ryan9212]

Have you tried adding the second syringe yet to see what you get with the salifert kit? There's a good chance it's over 500

Just did the Ca test with the second syringe and I am getting 530ppm. I didn't think this was possible but I guess it is. I was wondering why I've been getting explosive coralline growth everywhere and corals are growing super fast so this would explain that. But I guess I can throw the API test kit in the trash now.

I am thinking the higher Mg in the tank (1410 ppm)is allowing more Ca to stay in solution which is why the Ca could get so high? I was using seachem reef complete for calcium which also has Mg but did not think it would push the Mg so high. Alkalinity is 8.9 dKH so no problem there

Everything is doing great so I think I could just let everything come down on its own? I will use regular Calcium chloride from now on though. Is there any harm in leaving these parameters this high? Everything is growing ridiculously fast.

 

[ScottR]

Just did the Ca test with the second syringe and I am getting 530ppm. I didn't think this was possible but I guess it is. I was wondering why I've been getting explosive coralline growth everywhere and corals are growing super fast so this would explain that. But I guess I can throw the API test kit in the trash now.

I am thinking the higher Mg in the tank (1410 ppm)is allowing more Ca to stay in solution which is why the Ca could get so high? I was using seachem reef complete for calcium which also has Mg but did not think it would push the Mg so high. Alkalinity is 8.9 dKH so no problem there

Everything is doing great so I think I could just let everything come down on its own? I will use regular Calcium chloride from now on though. Is there any harm in leaving these parameters this high? Everything is growing ridiculously fast.

If your alk and Mg are in check, I wouldn’t be worried so long as you keep checking. As your corals and coralline grow, they’ll use up more Ca which may bring it down later.

 

[Ryan9212]

Okay perfect. Thanks again for your help!