Red Sea Calcium Test Kit User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: Red Sea

Table of Contents

The importance of calcium in the Reef aquarium
General instructions for testing
Directions for Calcium Test Kit
Calcium levels adjustment
Customer Support
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Red Sea Calcium Test Kit User Manual

The importance of calcium in the Reef aquarium

A successful mixed reef aquarium is dependent upon maintaining the appropriate water parameters that in turn provide the stable environment required by the corals.
Although all the elements found in natural seawater have an important role in
providing the optimal water parameters, a few of them have a more significant role in the overall stability. These elements are the foundation of the reef environment and they include the three major elements, Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and BiCarbonates (HCO3). These 3 elements have a major effect on the water chemistry (pH stability, Alkalinity, sea water ionic strength) and on many of the aquarium inhabitants’ biological processes such as skeleton formation of fish and corals, ions exchange and photosynthesis.

Although regular monitoring of all three foundations elements is important for the stability of the aquarium, it is essential to test for Ca on a weekly basis.

For easy and accurate Alkalinity and Magnesium measurements it is highly
recommended to use Red Sea’s Marine Care pH/Alkalinity and Magnesium test kits.

Aquarium type| Recommended Testing and supplementing frequency| Salinity (ppt)| Calcium (ppm)| Alkalinity (meq/L / °KH)| Magnesium (ppm)
---|---|---|---|---|---
Mixed Reef| Weekly| 34| 450| 4.1 / 11.5| 1350
Marine Fish| Weekly| 30| 370| 2.5 / 7| 1100

General instructions for testing

Before carrying out any water testing always check the salinity and make
adjustments as necessary. If you have made adjustments to the water wait 10 minutes for the water parameters to stabilize. (e.g. 1 ppt increase in salinity due to evaporation of fresh water will result in approximate increases of 13ppm Ca)
Before testing, clean the glass vial and the large syringe by rinsing with the water to be tested.
After testing rinse all syringes and vials with RO or distilled water before storing.
If vials are left unwashed a residue can form that will affect the results of future tests. Use a slightly acidic solution such as vinegar to remove the residue.
In order to ensure an accurate drop size always hold reagent bottle vertically
above the test vial, and gently squeeze out each drop.
Close all reagents tightly immediately after use.
The test reagents are stable up to the date stated on the pack when stored closed between 15 – 25 °C.
Store the reagents and color card in the box to prevent damage from prolonged exposure to light.

Directions for Calcium Test Kit

Red Sea’s Marine Care calcium test kit provides an easy measurement of Calcium with a resolution of either 15 or 30 ppm as desired.

To measure Ca levels in 15 ppm resolution

Using the syringe provided, place exactly 10 ml of the water to be tested into the glass vial.
Add 10 drops of Calcium Reagent A and mix gently for 10 sec.
Proceed with the test as below

To measure Ca levels in 30 ppm resolution

Using the syringe provided, place exactly 5ml of the water to be tested into the glass vial.
Add 5 drops of Calcium Reagent A and mix gently for 10 sec.
Proceed with the test as below

Test as follows:

Add a leveled measuring spoon of Calcium Reagent B.
Close the vial with the cap and shake for 20 seconds. The test sample will now have the titration start color as shown on the instruction card.
Add 1 drop of Ca reagent C and shake for 5 seconds. Continue to add Ca reagent C one drop at a time (shake for 5 seconds after each drop) until the color of the sample in the glass vile changes to the corresponding “end” color as shown on the instruction.
Count the number of drops required to reach the end color. Each drop of Ca reagent C corresponds to 15 / 30 ppm of Calcium depending on the method you chose to follow.