What Strontium Test Kit Do You Use?

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 20, 2015

I recently purchased a Salirfert Strontium Test Kit and gave it a go yesterday. I found the colors a bit difficult to discern and the test takes an extremely long time. What are you experiences with this test kit? Are their other Strontium Test Kits on the market that you would recommend over the Salifert brand?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2015

FWIW, I'm not convinced strontium is a useful component in most reef tanks, so I do not measure or supplement it.

Consequently, I haven't kept up with the various test kits since I last used them more than 10 years ago and will have to leave the kit comments to others.

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 20, 2015

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
FWIW, I'm not convinced strontium is a useful component in most reef tanks, so I do not measure or supplement it.

Consequently, I haven't kept up with the various test kits since I last used them more than 10 years ago and will have to leave the kit comments to others.

Thank you Randy. I appreciate the chime in. On a site bar, is Potassium something you would test for and supplement?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2015

Potassium is a lot more important to maintain, but in my tank it doesn't get depleted.

What's in your tank?

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 20, 2015

All SPS corals. I have about 20 frags currently in a 45 gallon.

JimWelsh · Oct 20, 2015

The only hobbyist test kit I'm aware of for strontium is the Salifert one. There is, of course, Triton. I'm currently trying to develop a DIY strontium test in my basement laboratory.

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 20, 2015

JimWelsh said:
The only hobbyist test kit I'm aware of for strontium is the Salifert one. There is, of course, Triton. I'm currently trying to develop a DIY strontium test in my basement laboratory.

Good luck on that.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2015

JimWelsh said:
The only hobbyist test kit I'm aware of for strontium is the Salifert one. There is, of course, Triton. I'm currently trying to develop a DIY strontium test in my basement laboratory.

science-inexact_science-lab-laboratory-experiment-scientist-tmcn4454_low.jpg

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2015

JaysLittleOcean said:
All SPS corals. I have about 20 frags currently in a 45 gallon.

My expectation is that potassium is likely not depleted with just frags (assuming some regular water changes), but it doesn't hurt to measure if it worries you.

JimWelsh · Oct 20, 2015

I didn't know you had ever seen my basement, Randy!

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 20, 2015

JimWelsh said:
I didn't know you had ever seen my basement, Randy!

I wasn't aware that was a live photo sketch.

beaslbob · Oct 20, 2015

didn't seachem have a strontium kit?

Vaughn17 · Oct 20, 2015

JaysLittleOcean said:
I recently purchased a Salirfert Strontium Test Kit and gave it a go yesterday. I found the colors a bit difficult to discern and the test takes an extremely long time. What are you experiences with this test kit? Are their other Strontium Test Kits on the market that you would recommend over the Salifert brand?

I also found the Salifert Strontium test kit to be difficult; however, it did appear to be at least somewhat accurate. Upon initially testing, strontium levels in my two main tanks (I did not test the QT) were undetectable. After dosing a few days and retesting, the levels had risen.

IMO, dosing strontium has improved the coloration of some of my LPS and SPS. And, I've noticed a definite positive response from corals (major PE in the SPS and the LPS opening their mouths) after dosing, especially if the strontium level in the tank is low.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 20, 2015

Vaughn17 said:
I also found the Salifert Strontium test kit to be difficult; however, it did appear to be at least somewhat accurate. Upon initially testing, strontium levels in my two main tanks (I did not test the QT) were undetectable. After dosing a few days and retesting, the levels had risen.

IMO, dosing strontium has improved the coloration of some of my LPS and SPS. And, I've noticed a definite positive response from corals (major PE in the SPS and the LPS opening their mouths) after dosing, especially if the strontium level in the tank is low.

What did you dose?

Vaughn17 · Oct 20, 2015

I dose 2.5 ml one day, 5.0 ml the next, except the day of a water change and the day after. Tank sizes are 38 and 40 gal.

hawkinsrgk · Oct 21, 2015

JaysLittleOcean said:
I recently purchased a Salirfert Strontium Test Kit and gave it a go yesterday. I found the colors a bit difficult to discern and the test takes an extremely long time. What are you experiences with this test kit? Are their other Strontium Test Kits on the market that you would recommend over the Salifert brand?

I am having the exact same problem and really a fan of Salifert. Just having a hard time being able to distinguish between blue and blue.

JaysLittleOcean · Oct 21, 2015

hawkinsrgk said:
I am having the exact same problem and really a fan of Salifert. Just having a hard time being able to distinguish between blue and blue.

Yeah it's extremely difficult and the test uses so much reagent on top of taking such a long time that I find myself wondering if its worth the hassle. The instructions are a bit lengthy but the discerning the color is the most difficult part. All my other test kits from Salifert are spot on.

Habib(Salifert) · Oct 21, 2015

JimWelsh said:
I didn't know you had ever seen my basement, Randy!

The Inexact Science Lab is behind the door. And if it were glass in the door we would see the text mirrored if we were situated in that lab.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 21, 2015

Vaughn17 said:
I dose 2.5 ml one day, 5.0 ml the next, except the day of a water change and the day after. Tank sizes are 38 and 40 gal.

2.5 mL of what?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Oct 21, 2015

Habib(Salifert) said:
The Inexact Science Lab is behind the door. And if it were glass in the door we would see the text mirrored if we were situated in that lab.

lol

True. Jim's must be the Exact Science Lab.