What is the best way to test Calcium?

[Sean minor]

Hi, I have a new ( 8 months old ) 90 gallon reef tank and I'm trying to get a better idea on what my Calcium level is, I'm using a API test kit and it says it's at 500ppm seems high. I thought the corals would use up some of the calcium, witch is all coming from the salt mix. Any advise would be nice.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Sean, I really like the Red Sea Pro test kit that includes all three tests.....ALK, CALC and MAG. I had a similarly high CALC level when I used a particular brand of salt.

What are you doing to maintain the three? Also note that there is a relationship of Alk and Calc....with one capable of driving down the level of the other. So the two at "proper" concentration are important.

 

[LPSGUY]

API test kit should work. How old is it?

May want to buy a different test kit if you are unsure of the API. Salifert makes a good calcium test.

 

[Sean minor]

I've had a 180 gallon saltwater fish only tank for over 25 years, and i've never tested for any of these things. I got alot of learning to do. the test kits are brand new, I'm using Instant Ocean salt mix

 

[Gauge]

I use reef crystals and it mixes up at nearly 600ppm for me.

 

[Sean minor]

So maybe 500ppm is right, just hear about everyone adding calcium

 

[redfishbluefish]

Here are two good reads from the God of reef chemisty....Randy Holmes Farley:


Calcium and Alkalinity

Chemistry and The Aquarium: Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems

[h=1][/h]

 

[Reefing Madness]

Reef Crystals mix out a bit high on the scales, and Instant Ocean mixes out low.
I use API for testing Cal.

 

[Sean minor]

Ok read the articles, maybe I should have got a hamster. Over my head

 

[Reefing Madness]

Hey, thought we all flunked chemistry when we were in school, never knowing we were going to have to know it when we got a fish tank.:tongue:

 

[KoleTang]

Red Sea Pro, Salifert, or Hanna Checker works great if you don't like API.