Red Sea Calcium test kit....

[Mikef1]

So Ive been having a little trouble testing my calcium and have tried 2 kits even though I know they are not the best ones. First I tested with an older kit I had and it tested way low (like 230ppm). So the next day I went to my LFS and got what they had which unfortunately was just a red sea test kit. I would prefer a salifert but will have to order one online. I tested my calcium again and this time came up with 325ppm. The problem is that this test kit uses a 1ml syringe to dose reagent C and they do not specify whether to read it at the rubber plunger or the actual fluid level to determine how much you have dosed. I know with salifert Alk test they use the same method but specify to take your reading at the end of the black rubber plunger in the syringe not at the fluid level. So if I take the reading at the rubber end it is at 325ppm if I take it from the total fluid left in the syringe it is 450ppm. I have dosed Kent turbo calcium the last 2 days and don’t ant to dose it anymore until I figure out this kit or get a salifert online. Right now these are my params
PH 8.2-8.3
Alk 12.8 DKH
Cal- not sure

 

[fcmatt]

plunger. the air inside the syringe is from the tip.. etc..

 

[Mikef1]

Im not talking about the air in the tip. I understand why the air is there I am just wondering if with the red sea kits you take your reading based on where the fluid in the syringe is or where the black rubber plunger is above the air space in the syringe.

 

[fcmatt]

black rubber plunger is where you look.
it started at 0 and you pull until 1.0.
therefore where the black plunger stops allows you
to determine how much u squirted in.

 

[Snowboarda42]

i hate my red sea calcium kit... :evil:

 

[fcmatt]

i find the red sea calcium kit to give me the same reading
as salifert when used by skillful hands, clean test cup, adding
the right amount of chemicals, etc...

they are both always +-20 ppm of each other. since calcium is
important, i believe having two kits is a requirement.