Salifert's Alkalinity Test Kit???

[kjoz]

If I use the entire 1ml syringe to drop the KH reagent into the 4ml of test water and 2 drops of KH-Ind but fail to get an orange-red or pink color, does that mean my KH is at least 16.0 dKH?

I keep running this test and have yet to have any solution left in the syringe. Any ideas?

 

[ink]

So what you're saying is that the solution remains blue? If so, then according to the test, your dKH is greater than 16. Maybe a faulty test? I would get a second opinion on the KH of your water.

ink

 

[Nathan1]

Perform the test as usual with only 2ml of water instead of 4ml. What ever the final result is, multiply by two.

-Nathan

 

[kjoz]

Yes, the color remains blue. I used a Seachem test kit and can get around an 11 dKH. I used a Red Sea FishPharm test kit and it takes 13-14 drops before the blue turns to yellow. this test kit does not read dKH, it only tells you that 9-12 drops to make the blue turn yellow is an alkalinity level of 350-600. This was the initial test kit I used, but I wanted to know exactly my dKH, so I bout the Seachem on sale. Then got the Salifert after reading the boards about how good they are. I am trying to raise the alkalinity to at least 14 in an attempt to cure ich on my purple tang along with the garlic soaked food treatment. I think I will take some water in to the LFS tomorrow and see what they get with their test kits. Thank you.

 

[jdeets]

kjoz--I'm curious to know why you think raising the alkalinity of your system will have any positive effect in resolving the ich??

 

[DK]

Absolutely use the 2ml sample. I have gotten readings as high as 21. It is a good indication that I have to turn off the Ca Reactor.

 

[kjoz]

JDeets: A fellow hobbyist, who also happens to own a LFS specializing in saltwater and reefs recommended the increase in my alkalinity. Actually, he guaranteed it saying if I got my alkalinity up to 14 and it didn't cure my purple tang of ich, he would replace my fish. He said this knowing I didn't buy the fish from him.

Then, I was reading "Aquarium Corals" by Eric Borneman and in the Water Chemistry section he states..."Higher alkalinity gives the solution more resistance to pH swings..." So I figure, no pH swings=less stress=live fish. Higher alkalinity is also very important to my "corals because it reflects the capacity of the water to resist changes in pH."
I figure it can't hurt and if it helps the fish, all the better for the tank as a whole.