The fast and easy way to test your aquarium water for the right amount of calcium to encourage healthy coral growth. Ca is needed to help form the strong exoskeletons of your coral. Calcium is a major constituent of calcareous algae, skeletal material of hard corals and the skeletal needles of soft/leather corals. Calcium also fulfills many biological functions. Quite often a too low calcium concentration retards coral and calcareous algae growth. NSW contains 400 ? 450 mg/L calcium. Which is also the value we should strive for. For a stable aquarium environment the fluctuation in calcium content should preferably not more than approx. 15 mg/L. This automatically means that the calcium test should be able to monitor comparable fluctuations.

How to Use

1. Add 2 ml of aquarium water to the test vial with the syringe. Using 1 ml instead gives lower resolution and twice as many tests per kit.
2. Add 1 level spoon of Ca-1 — about half a spoon in the 1 ml mode. Do not mix it yet.
3. Add 8 drops of Ca-2 — 4 drops in the 1 ml mode — then swirl, do not shake, for 10 seconds.
4. Fit the plastic tip firmly on the 1 ml syringe and draw up Ca-3 to the 1.00 ml mark, keeping the tip submerged in the reagent throughout. A little air below the piston is normal and does not affect the result.
5. Add Ca-3 to the vial drop by drop, swirling for a second or two after each drop, until the pink-red turns a clear blue.
6. Hold the syringe tip upward and read the upper end of the black piston. Calcium in ppm = (1 − reading) x 500. Double the result if you used the 1 ml sample.

Natural sea water runs 400 to 425 ppm calcium.

What’s in the Box

Ca-1 powder with its measuring spoon, Ca-2 and Ca-3 liquid reagents, a syringe and a 1 ml syringe with plastic tip, a test vial, the calcium reading table and the instructions.

Tests per Kit

Approximately 50 tests at full resolution using a 2 ml sample, or approximately 100 in the lower-resolution 1 ml mode. Reads to 500 ppm in 10 ppm steps. Suitable for both marine and fresh water.

Ca-2 is an irritant — it contains under 2% sodium hydroxide and is irritating to eyes and skin. On contact with the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Keep the kit out of reach of children.

Freshness & Storage

Every batch we dispatch carries a minimum of 6 months’ remaining shelf life. Store this product in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, with the cap or inner foil closed tightly after each use.

Backorder & Dispatch Timeline

This item is stocked to order. Back-orders are consolidated and placed with our overseas suppliers once a month, on the last day of the month, and all such orders are shipped before the 15th of the following month.

Back-orders cannot be cancelled once they have been placed with the supplier. If you cancel before that, payment-gateway charges of 2% plus GST are deducted and the balance refunded. In the rare case a supplier cannot fulfil the item, we will offer you an alternative first, and refund in full with no deduction if you would rather not take it.

Returns & Replacement

Returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging. Manufacturer-sealed items cannot be returned once the seal is broken, and sale-priced items are not refundable.

If your item arrives defective or damaged, message us on WhatsApp with your order number, or email us if you would rather, and we will replace it. Approved replacements are delivered within 3 to 5 business days. Transit damage is covered by insurance on every shipment. If tracking shows delivered but nothing reached you, tell us within 72 hours, which is the reporting window Indian couriers allow. Damage caused during installation or use is not covered; replacement spares for such cases are chargeable.

Full terms are on our Cancellation & Returns page.