Strontium is an essential reef element that aids in calcium processing and helps corals and invertebrates grow strongly and quickly. Strontium testing is notoriously difficult, and Salifert was the first company to produce a sensitive, accurate strontium test kit.
Natural sea water contains about 7-9 mg strontium per liter. In a reef aquarium you should have from 5-20 mg/l. This test measures both ionically free and moderately complex strontium in increments of 5 mg/L, with bold colors and simple comparison chart for doubt-free reading.
Warning: Reagent Sr-1 is caustic. In case of contact with eyes rinse immediately with plenty of water and contact a physician immediately. In case of ingestion do not induce vomiting but contact a physician immediately. In case of contact with skin wash with plenty of water. Keep out of reach of children.
Instructions:
Fill test vial with 5ml of water.
Add 12 drops of the Sr-1 liquid reagent and swirl gently for 10 seconds.
Add 1 level scoop of Sr-2 reagent and swirl the contents gently for 5 seconds. The color should be red/pink.
Fit the 1 ml syringe without the red label with the small plastic tip. Ensure that the tip is mounted firmly.
Fill this syringe with 1 ml of Sr-3 (lower end of black rubber ring at 1.00 ml mark).
Place this amount in the test vial and swirl gently for 20 seconds.
If the color has changed to blue and remains so even after an additional 30 seconds then the calcium concentration is far too low (approximately 300 mg/L or less) and should be corrected first before continuing this test.
Again fill the syringe without the red label with 1 ml of Sr-3. Add this by drops to the test vial.
Swirl gently for a few seconds after each drop until the color changes to blue. When the color has changed to blue, then swirl gently for 15 seconds.
It is very likely that the color will revert back and will not be pure blue. In that case add one more drop of Sr-3 and swirl again for 15 seconds. Repeat this until the color remains blue.
Hold the syringe with the plastic tip facing upwards. Read the value at the upper part of the black rubber ring. Look for this value in the calcium table (included with the instructions) to get the calcium concentration.
Fill the 1 ml syringe with the red label (no plastic tip is needed and is not supplied for this syringe) with 0.5 ml Sr-4 (lower end of black rubber ring at 0.50 ml mark.
Add this to the test vial and swirl gently for 10 seconds.
The color will now be red/pink.
Add 2 level scoops of Sr-5 and swirl gently until this powder has dissolved. Let stand for 12-15 minutes (use a clock).
Fill the 1 ml syringe without the label and fitted with the plastic tip with 1 ml of Sr-3. Add this by drops to the test vial.
Swirl gently for 20 seconds (should definitely not be less than 20 seconds) after each drop until the color changes to blue.
Hold the syringe with the plastic tip facing upwards. Read the value at the upper part of the black rubber ring. Look for this value in the strontium table (included with the instructions) to obtain the strontium concentration.
