Anyone have wonky Salifert Ca test kit?
 

Just bought a new test kit, and my Ca is well over 500ppm. Hmm, not right, I says to myself. I measure my new make-up water, same thing. Anyone else getting numbers like this from new kits?

Brad, I've come to the conclusion that some of these kits are not that accurate. I took Ca readings with 3 different kits: Salifert 380, Tropic Marin 420, and API 440. Which one is right, if any?

Well, with three like that, you would average it for the real value! :)

Man, if you can't trust test kits!!!! My water has some amount of salt, at some temperature that may be wrong, it may or may not have Ca, Alk is a throw of the dice, and everything else is make believe. Only thing I know for sure is it's wet!

I always said, this hobby is more art than science!

not using old procedure or chart with a new kit?

nope, using the new and improved method.

You sure? Might want to double check.. :lol:

Me too-
 

I got really high readings with my kit. I thought I was doing something wrong so I tested it again and again. I even went online to find "different" directions-but to no avail.

I've long since come to the conclusion there is no such thing as an accurate test kit under $100.
The only thing I test for now is alk and even then I don't take down any actual numbers, just the position on the syringe, if there is more liquid left in the syringe it means I need to turn the reactor up, less liquid and the reactor gets turned down.
I use IO salt which is consistantly low in cal and MG so I add them to my make up water and assume all numbers stay even in relation to each other

Where abouts are you in Victoria. I can bring mine over to double check if you want, it'll be an older lot #

Instant Ocean salt (not reef crystals) mixed at 1.026 s.g. generally tests out at 360-380 ppm CA.