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  #1  
Old 12/28/2007, 08:17 PM
navychief navychief is offline
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Recommend a Calcium test Kit, Please

I'm new to the hobby and I'm slowly turning what I have as a FOWLR to a reef tank. I'm going to order Reef Crystals since I've been using Instant Ocean, but I also want to get the calcium right.

Any recommendations on calcium testing would be appreciated. Or for that matter, and additives that I should order with the Reef Crystals.


Chief
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72 Gal bowfront
SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights
Tidepool II w/ Euro-Reef RS-100
Osmolator Universal 3155
2 Hydor Koralia 3 @ 850 gph
  #2  
Old 12/28/2007, 08:31 PM
bertoni bertoni is offline
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I've had good luck with Salifert and Instant Ocean test kits, although the Instant Ocean takes longer to use. Most systems need regular calcium and alkalinity supplementation. A 2-part like B-Ionic, Kent Tech CB, or C-Balance is an easy way to get started. Many tanks require magnesium supplementation, so a magnesium test kit is handy.
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  #3  
Old 12/28/2007, 08:36 PM
navychief navychief is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by bertoni
I've had good luck with Salifert and Instant Ocean test kits, although the Instant Ocean takes longer to use. Most systems need regular calcium and alkalinity supplementation. A 2-part like B-Ionic, Kent Tech CB, or C-Balance is an easy way to get started. Many tanks require magnesium supplementation, so a magnesium test kit is handy.
Right now I'm using Kent liquids as a supplement. They are the iodine, strontium & Molybdenum, calcium. You suggest the calcium from Kent, right?
__________________
Can't go back to sea, so I'll bring the sea to me!

72 Gal bowfront
SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights
Tidepool II w/ Euro-Reef RS-100
Osmolator Universal 3155
2 Hydor Koralia 3 @ 850 gph
  #4  
Old 12/28/2007, 10:32 PM
reefnetworth reefnetworth is offline
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ive used Hagen, IO, LaMotte, Salifert and Seachem.
Salifert and Seachem gave almost the exact results. while the Hagen was 10 ppm lower than either and the IO registered about 8 ppm lower.
the LaMotte was hard to get good results because the color change is rapid. you only have a few seconds between drops before the color changes back from purple to blue or blue to purple...sorry ive forgotten which it is.
Due to availablity, i prefer to use Seachem, plus its about $5.00 cheaper than Salifert, depending on where you purchase them.
both take about the same amount of time to test. and both, IMO, are considered to be the better kits.
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  #5  
Old 12/29/2007, 12:02 AM
navychief navychief is offline
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Got it. Thanks
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Can't go back to sea, so I'll bring the sea to me!

72 Gal bowfront
SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights
Tidepool II w/ Euro-Reef RS-100
Osmolator Universal 3155
2 Hydor Koralia 3 @ 850 gph
  #6  
Old 12/29/2007, 12:27 AM
bertoni bertoni is offline
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The Kent Tech CB is fine. I don't dose iodine, strontium or Molybdenum. Kent has a number of calcium supplements. Some of them are okay.
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Jonathan Bertoni
 

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