Ryan Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 To make a long story short, I set my calcium reactor up about 2 weeks ago. It was maintaining my Cal/Alk pretty solid at 440 Cal, 10-11 dKH according to my API test kits. I bought Salifert Cal & Alk test kits on Saturday. My water tested out at 610 Cal & 14 dKH! I immediately shut my reactor down to let my parameters settle down. I have been testing my water daily with the Salifert test kits. My Alk has been coming down, but my calcium is hovering arround the 600 range. Today I tested my water with both brands. I got the following results: Calcium Salifert: 600 API: 440 Alkalinity Salifert: 9.1 API: 7 This is REALLY bothering me. How do I know what brand to trust? I might go buy a set of Elos tomorrow, just for piece of mind. Has anyone else experienced these kind of variances between brands? I can understand a small variance between brands, but this is drastic! Fortunately, I have seen no negative effects in my corals. Quote from page 2: Well, I just got my Elos Cal & Alk test kits from Waves.... I tested all 3 brands TWICE, just to confirm the results. Alk Salifert: 7.7 API: 6 Elos: 6 Calcium Salifert: 600 API: 400 Elos: 390 My Calcium reactor has been off-line since Saturday, and the results show it. Before I shut my reactor down, I was at 10-11 dKH, and 440 Cal (according to my API kits). Now my live stock has experienced an unnecessary fluctuation in parameters. Now I will be getting my Cal/Alk back up with 2-part, then start my reactor back up. I will be using the Elos kits from this point on. I will also be forwarding my findings to Salifert. They should not be in business, potentially thousands of dollars worth of livestock could be riding on the results of their tests. I would not advise to buy ANY Salifert Products. If you cannot afford Elos, go with API. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I have both API and Elos calcium and I have noticed the api tests lower than the Elos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I have used Salifert for many years and have always trusted the results of them. I do use the API alk test kit. Take samples of your water to LFS to be tested. Take it to a couple of different stores to see if the results vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 First check to see if any of the test kit boxes have exp. dates. Then do like Bob said go to a LFS or to another member and compare results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 There was a bad batch of Salifert Alk kits out maybe a year or so ago. I switched over to Elos at that time (partially due to the Alk problem, and partially because the Salifert Mg kits were nowhere to be found) and haven't looked back. Checking the dates is a good idea, Mike... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellw Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Does anyone carry the Elos kits locally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 waves does.....how frustrating it is though, you buy something and its sole purpose is to provide you with an accurate test result, and it can't even do that. There needs to be some standard or regulations so this doesn't happen. As far as which one to trust.....your gonna have to do more research, the cheapest way would be to take your water to a few different stores ask what test kits they are using and compare results and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Elos has each batch of test kits certified by the NIST. That's about as trustworthy as I can imagine, while still being economically reasonable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrgreenthumb Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 cool thats good to know andy, I am definitely switching over as my saliferts run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I am switching over to ELos as Joel told me the same thing about the testing. Elos may be more expensive but it is worth the peace of mind to know your test results are accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smann Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 just courious, as I didnt see it before, what did your Ph read when you got it set Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pledosophy Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 My Cal was had a 100ppm difference between the Salifert and Elos, Salifert was higher. My alk was also different. When I managed my alk and Ca reading to the Elos kit all these weird things started happening in my tank. My brown sticks started to get color and grow, so odd. I'm Elos for Ca, Alk, Mg, and Phosphate, I still use API for nitrate. Hanna for pH. JMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted February 20, 2009 Author Share Posted February 20, 2009 Well, I just got my Elos Cal & Alk test kits from Waves.... I tested all 3 brands TWICE, just to confirm the results. Alk Salifert: 7.7 API: 6 Elos: 6 Calcium Salifert: 600 API: 400 Elos: 390 My Calcium reactor has been off-line since Saturday, and the results show it. Before I shut my reactor down, I was at 10-11 dKH, and 440 Cal (according to my API kits). Now my live stock has experienced an unnecessary fluctuation in parameters. Now I will be getting my Cal/Alk back up with 2-part, then start my reactor back up. I will be using the Elos kits from this point on. I will also be forwarding my findings to Salifert. They should not be in business, potentially thousands of dollars worth of livestock could be riding on the results of their tests. I would not advise to buy ANY Salifert Products. If you cannot afford Elos, go with API. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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