Which test it to believe? ALK

lt · #1 04/03/2004, 03:33 PM

I just got a new Salifert test kit and tested my alkalinity. I got a reading of 14.14 dKH...I thought that this was a bit high and tested with my seachem kit and got: 11.25 dkh.

I then got all confused and even tested with my cheapo nutrafin kit (probably too old anyhow) and got : 10 dkH

Do these test kits ever go bad? Which one should I believe? I would like to keep my Alk around 9-10 dkh

Other readings:
Ca: 410 ppm
Ph: 8.0-8.1

xfactor · #2 04/03/2004, 08:53 PM

yes they do go bad.

I would trust the Salifert test my self it should have a experation date on it. Habib has been gone for a while now so I wont direct you to the Salifert forum.

as for the CA and PH they are in line for higher dKH readings.

Randy Holmes-Farley · #3 04/04/2004, 07:22 AM

The Salifert and Seachem are normally both fine alkallinity kits. Unless you really need to know exactly what the alkalinity is, I'd just figure it is a bit on the high side at 11-14 dKH

If the calcium is at least up to 400 ppm, there no need to take any particular action at the monemt, but I'd back off a bit on futurte alkalinity additions.

This article may help:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm