What test kit do you prefer to use? I currently have been using the API deal. Its cheap and comes with the whole kit so thats why I have it. I do not know how accurate it is, I am adding Kents Liquid Calcium reactor and the results do not seem to change. I had a pH crash due to my stupidity and days after correcting that we had a power outage for about 8 hours and the temp in the house got to under 50 degrees. My corals are dieing off slowly while my fish are just fine. Now for some reason my Calcium is down to about 250ish. I dose the Kents Iodine, mag/iron, liquid cal reactor (as needed), and strontium/molybdenum at half what the bottle says so I think they are ok. I do have test kits for those coming in the mail so I can be sure. I have done it for so long this way with great results that I never bought those test kits again when they ran out (I know, not a good idea). kH and gH are up to par but calcium wont move. Anyway, is this API calcium test at least in the ball park?? I can get a Red Sea cal test at my local. The API seemed to work in the past, I would dose the Kents and I could see it come up. Now I dose and its about the same with no real noticeable color change. I even took a huge swing at it which left white powdery residue behind and still there was no real color change in the test. Maybe the Kents calcium can go bad???? I am at a loss here. My fish are GREAT but, my corals are not so good. Oh, and my snails are not active, plus my bristol worms and little black stars are dieing to. Nutrients are all zero but the ammonia was up to almost .25 with all the stuff dieing. Any pointers or a push in a direction I am overlooking would be great. Also, the calcium tests where the same after two 30% water changes using instant ocean mix, I figured that would bring the calcium reading up???
Sorry this is all over the road, I am working and the phone is ringing off the hook.