KH/Alk reading for the first time

[jnguyen4007]

I took my KH/Alk reading for the first time using the Salifert test kit and I have a question on it. At the end of the instruction, it said to find the measurement for KH and Alk as followed: KH=value on the syringe x 16. Alk=value on the syringe x 5.71. My syringe reading was .42 so that equals to 6.72 and 2.3982 respectively. Here's where my question lies, the chart to the right of the instruction showed for .42 reading, the KH=9.3 and Alk=3.31 respectively. What reading should I use? The one on the chart or the one that I got based on their equation?

 

The rest of the reading on my tank are as using Salifert test kits:

 

Ph = 8

Ammonia = <.25

Nitrite = .1

Nitrate = .5

Temp = 79.4

Salinity 1.025

 

James

[ArtC]

Right now, you shouldn't use any alk reading from a Salifert test kit. Salifert made a big batch of bad kits - and those cost several experienced members corals because they treated their tanks incorrectly as a result.

 

The Salifert tests read 2 to 3 too high, compared to three other kits that BRK had in stock. (They took the Salifert off the shelf.)

 

I took my KH/Alk reading for the first time using the Salifert test kit and I have a question on it. At the end of the instruction, it said to find the measurement for KH and Alk as followed: KH=value on the syringe x 16. Alk=value on the syringe x 5.71. My syringe reading was .42 so that equals to 6.72 and 2.3982 respectively. Here's where my question lies, the chart to the right of the instruction showed for .42 reading, the KH=9.3 and Alk=3.31 respectively. What reading should I use? The one on the chart or the one that I got based on their equation?

 

The rest of the reading on my tank are as using Salifert test kits:

 

Ph = 8

Ammonia = <.25

Nitrite = .1

Nitrate = .5

Temp = 79.4

Salinity 1.025

 

James

[lanman]

Alk can be measured in meq/L - or in dKH. dKH = meq/L*2.8

 

You ALK reading was 9.3 dKH, or 3.31 meq/L. Same thing.

 

bob

 

Right now, you shouldn't use any alk reading from a Salifert test kit. Salifert made a big batch of bad kits - and those cost several experienced members corals because they treated their tanks incorrectly as a result.

 

The Salifert tests read 2 to 3 too high, compared to three other kits that BRK had in stock. (They took the Salifert off the shelf.)

 

If his readings were 2-3 (dKH) too high - then his alk is really low. His kit maybe accurate - but who knows these days. My Salifert kit reads 3 dKH higher than my other test kit. So I tend to believe the other one at this point in time.

 

bob

[YBeNormal]

James,

 

Before we discount your test kit as being one of the bad ones, bring it by sometime this week and let's compare readings between your test kit and mine. I have one of the older Salifert test kits and the readings it gives matches the one I had before it so I do not believe it is one of the flaky ones. I work from home on Tuesday and Thursday.

[jnguyen4007]

Assuming that the reading I got is correct and that my alk is low, what's my next step to bring it up? Use the two part method?

 

James

[yauger]

you can use 2 part many others do as well, or you can use Dans awesome kalk stirrer... either way you can easily bring your dkh up that method...

 

BWT is Salferit going to do a recall on the defective products?

[rsaavedra]

Assuming that the reading I got is correct and that my alk is low, what's my next step to bring it up? Use the two part method?

 

James

 

James if you only need to raise the ALK then use Arm and Hammer Baking soda, I would do one tsp every 2 days and measure the day after. That's how I do my ALK and it works like a champ.

 

Raf

[jnguyen4007]

you can use 2 part many others do as well, or you can use Dans awesome kalk stirrer... either way you can easily bring your dkh up that method...

 

BWT is Salferit going to do a recall on the defective products?

 

 

I have his kalk stirrer. But before I put it to use, I'll bring my alk tester to Bob (YBeNormal) on Thurs and test his water and compare with the older alk test kit and see if the results are the same or not.

[yauger]

you can use 2 part many others do as well, or you can use Dans awesome kalk stirrer... either way you can easily bring your dkh up that method...

 

BWT is Salferit going to do a recall on the defective products?

 

does anyone know the manufacturer website for salferit test kits?

 

I have his kalk stirrer. But before I put it to use, I'll bring my alk tester to Bob (YBeNormal) on Thurs and test his water and compare with the older alk test kit and see if the results are the same or not.

 

 

thats right I remember you getting one at the last meeting... haha I'm sure you can add it with no issues at all.. well if your gonna test yours against Bobs lets us know the results I'm using the same kit. BTW does anyone know who is the manufacturer for these test kits?

[jnguyen4007]

James if you only need to raise the ALK then use Arm and Hammer Baking soda, I would do one tsp every 2 days and measure the day after. That's how I do my ALK and it works like a champ.

 

Raf

 

 

Raf,

 

Do you add the baking soda directly to the water or do you pre-mix it in RO/DI water then add one tsp every 2 days?

 

James

[ReeferMan]

premix it with ro

[jnguyen4007]

premix it with ro

 

 

Thanks Chris.

[Alieu07]

James,

 

Before we discount your test kit as being one of the bad ones, bring it by sometime this week and let's compare readings between your test kit and mine. I have one of the older Salifert test kits and the readings it gives matches the one I had before it so I do not believe it is one of the flaky ones. I work from home on Tuesday and Thursday.

Sorry i did not mean to high jack the thread. I have the same test kit(salifert) and have problem testing them(KH and Cal).

 

Bob

Can i bring them to your place and compare the result also?

 

Thanks

[ArtC]

does anyone know the manufacturer website for salferit test kits?

thats right I remember you getting one at the last meeting... haha I'm sure you can add it with no issues at all.. well if your gonna test yours against Bobs lets us know the results I'm using the same kit. BTW does anyone know who is the manufacturer for these test kits?

 

 

The conversation at BRK was that the guy who is Salifert went completely MIA for three months just after these tests were manufactured. So, you probably aren't going to see a recall or rebate from him. But you might sweet talk your retailer into credit towards a different test.

 

 

Alk can be measured in meq/L - or in dKH. dKH = meq/L*2.8

 

You ALK reading was 9.3 dKH, or 3.31 meq/L. Same thing.

 

bob

If his readings were 2-3 (dKH) too high - then his alk is really low. His kit maybe accurate - but who knows these days. My Salifert kit reads 3 dKH higher than my other test kit. So I tend to believe the other one at this point in time.

 

bob

 

Right - the bad tests read high, so if you are reading low then either you are low or you are REALLY, REALLY low.

 

You can safely start bringing the ALK up to where you want it, acting as if your current test is accurate.

 

Once you find out whether your test is good then you will know whether you have to bring the ALK up even more.

[YBeNormal]

If you are interested in following the details of the many reports of bad Salifert test kits, go to the vendor forum on RC. There is no public discussion of a recall that I've seen and the promised replacement test kit has yet to arrive. Habib is back on the forums but hit or miss and being unusually non-responsive.

 

IRT contacting Salifert, they have a static (and incomplete) web site with no contact information. Their phone number in Holland went unanswered while Habib (founder, CEO, head chemists and owner of the company) went AWOL a few months back. PMs and posts on RC are about the only way to contact him and there is no guarantee that he will respond.

 

It will take quite a change by Habib and his company to restore my faith in his products.