calcium testing

[saltank]

Looking for advice on calcium testing.

I use salifert test kit for calcium. My water has never tested above 330-340 for calcium. When do you consider the test finished based on the change in water color?

When I test the sample starts out pink then eventually turns a purplish color and eventually blue, but the sample will go from purplish back to pink and bluish back to purple for a period of time.

Is the test complete when it is finally blue and stays blue? And, I have fine corraline growth in the tank, baby snails grow and add layers to their shell, based on this I assume the calcium level in my tank is fine.

I originally tried raising it with turbo calcium but now I just drip Kalk. To conclude, should I continue trying to raise the level in my tank or use more of a visual check of the tank?

Thanks for your input

 

[Mihai]

Try the test on a fresh batch of saltwater and measure the Ca. Should read about 440. Regarding Salifert, when you say "period of time" do you mean one second? Because mine does turn a bit blue where I'm dripping but only for one second (then pink again as it mixes up).

At 330-340 calcification can still take place, but it's much harder for the animals to do it. I suggest to trust your test and boost your Ca.

M.