ColorQ Calcium Hardness test fails

[CraigLeg]

I have a LaMotte ColorQ Pro-7 test kit that I bought in December 2011, and the Calcium Hardness test is now giving the same result (about 100), no matter how much LeisureTime Calcium Increaser I dump in (about 48 oz into a 375-gallon spa so far, enough to blow the roof off the reading). We are getting nose burns, which I know can be a symptom of high calcium -- which is why I finally realized that I'm probably getting bogus Ca readings (Cl, PH, Alk are al in normal ranges). I heard that other users have had problems with ColorQ Ca readings, so I'm looking for advice/feedback here. If someone can advise on a more reliable digital kit please let me know, else I'm probably going to try Taylor 2006, though I hate doing visual color matching. Thanks.

[waterbear]

Colormetric tests for calcium and TA have problems. Period. The other LaMotte meters have problems and limitatins with tese tests also. A titration test does not, which is why we recommend the K-2006 for testing.

[PoolDoc]

membership upgraded.

The K2006 Waterbear mentioned is only sold online, so far as we can determine, which makes sense, as it tends to replace dealer testing which is their primary chemical marketing tool. Here are Amazon links:


K-2006A (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IXIIG/poolbooks)
K-2006C (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IXIJ0/poolbooks)