Strontium kit ?

[reefnetworth]

im searching for a good Strontium kit, any suggestions and/or comments are greatly appreaciated.

TIA

[bertoni]

The only kit I've ever used is the Salifert, and it's not easy.

FWIW, water changes seem to do enough strontium supplementation for most systems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2003/chem.htm

[Ephraim]

Seachem has one as well and it's a pain to do as well

[reefnetworth]

i do a 25% WC every week, but my Alk, Mg, Ca, & I, all drop in less than a weeks time. so, i am curious to see how much the Sr drops between changes.

OK, ive looked up both of them they list $35.99 ea.
Salifert has 25 test, and Seachem has 50 test.
Seachem, as advetised on marinedepot.com, says it now has a new, easier to read chart with simplified instructions.
i guess ill try the Seachem for those reasons. it cant be any more of a pain than their Iodide test.
thanx for the input y'all, and have a great weekend!

[JamesJR]

A Sr test kit is not something most aquarists should need as there really isn't any need to dose for it. Although it can be secreted into coral skeletons, this is more of a biological "Fluke" than anything else.

[reefnetworth]

im JamesJR.

how is it secreted into corals? and why do you consider it a biological "Fluke" if its added to salt mixes?
also, why would Dr. Smith and Dr. Foster recommend higher levels of Sr as well as I, for better growth and health of some of the corals i house?

if it werent used up in NSW it would eventually become an overdose and be toxic wouldnt it?

not tryin to be difficult, just tryin to understand you explanation.

[JamesJR]

Well, Dr. Fosters and Smith are in the business of selling. So while they are still a good company, I would never trust them for absolute scientific information.

Now getting to the point, Ca2+ is important because it iscorporated into calcium carbonate, the hard materials that make up the coral skeleton. As it turns out Sr2+, a minor component in seawater happens to have lots of the same properties as calcium. The corals are not always able to distinguish it from calcium so it ends up in the coral skeletons just like calcium does. So essentially, it is just random that it ends up being used more than out of necessity.

I haven't used it in over five years and never had any problems.

[bertoni]

The article I posted goes into more details. As stated, Sr is chemically very similar to calcium (as far as calcification goes, anyway) and some is incorporated into the skeleton. There's a few organisms that do require strontium, but not any reef animals, as far as I know.

[fish tanked]

Strontium is such a reactive element that those tests aren't going to be very accurate. If you get one, try doing the same test multiple times on the same sample and you will see multiple results...If you use a decent grade salt mix you should be fine on your strontium levels without further additions.

[JamesJR]

if only pc-ms or gc-ms was something I could afford to have at home I would never need test kits.

[reefnetworth]

cool! i just saved $35.99 + S&H. my thanks to each of y'all!

I have used IO for almost 18 yrs. but ive never tested the Sr level and was curious if it was needed, since i have to supplement CaC12 and Mg. and my new bucket, i have been supplementing I to acheive desired levels. also, for the first time ever, it takes almost 1/3 of a cup more salt to reach 35 ppt. @ 80f.