Alk testing user error?

[DarthRaiderBob]

So, been testing alkalinity weekly. I always seem to be about 11.6 but, I'm using aqua forest reef salt that is supposed to mix to 7.3 to 7.7 alk at my salinity 1.025. Am I using the test wrong? I add reagent until the color changes completely, should I just add reagent until it flashes the new color?

Edit: I am currently. Not dosing anything. Doing 25% water changes weekly due to 25ppm nitrates

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Which test kit?

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Which test kit?

Oh geez sorry, salifert.

 

[twentyleagues]

Oh geez sorry, salifert.

Just until you see a shift. But you need to make sure it is mixed well. You can get a "local shift" if it isnt agitated enough. Once I see it shift and the color is uniform in the vial after swishing it around I stop and see how much I used of the reagent. I use red sea, api (count the drops) and typically mostly a hannah because its so easy. I'll use one of the others if Hannah seems off of what I expect by too much.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Gotcha, maybe I'm not agitating enough so I see the local shifts but not the overall shift until I've added more reagent than I needed to?

 

[twentyleagues]

Gotcha, maybe I'm not agitating enough so I see the local shifts but not the overall shift until I've added more reagent than I needed to?

Alk is one of those tests if you keep corals its absolutely needed. Invest in a Hannah alk test its not without its faults but it so easy to use. Keep the salifert for if you see a hannah test that makes you think twice.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Alk is one of those tests if you keep corals its absolutely needed. Invest in a Hannah alk test its not without its faults but it so easy to use. Keep the salifert for if you see a hannah test that makes you think twice.

I want to switch all my testing to hannah at some point. Just not in my budget right now. But we just sold our old house so maybe I can swindle a few bucks out of the wife when we close.

 

[twentyleagues]

I want to switch all my testing to hannah at some point. Just not in my budget right now. But we just sold our old house so maybe I can swindle a few bucks out of the wife when we close.

Yeah they are costly but the alk is 100% worth it. I also have the ulr phosphate and hr nitrate not needed but nice to have. Stay as far away from the calcium one as you can lol.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

I mainly interested in nitrat phosphate and alk. I don't have a ton of corals yet so weekly water changes should cover everything else.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I mainly interested in nitrat phosphate and alk. I don't have a ton of corals yet so weekly water changes should cover everything else.

I got the HR nitrate and ulr phosphate. I do alk by ordinary pH titration.

 

[Hairyteeth]

Yeah they are costly but the alk is 100% worth it. I also have the ulr phosphate and hr nitrate not needed but nice to have. Stay as far away from the calcium one as you can lol.

Why stay away from calcium? I’ve found all mine to hit the nail On the head when used properly

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Ph is something I need to buy a monitor for. I own a neptune but it's sitting in a box due to no wifi or internet whatsoever in our house

 

[mpatterson42]

I want to switch all my testing to hannah at some point. Just not in my budget right now. But we just sold our old house so maybe I can swindle a few bucks out of the wife when we close.

Yeah they are costly but the alk is 100% worth it. I also have the ulr phosphate and hr nitrate not needed but nice to have. Stay as far away from the calcium one as you can lol.

I'm currently having an issue with my Hannah alk. It was reading 8.3 but I just got new reagent and now it's measuring 7.0. Hard to tell who to trust.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Why stay away from calcium? I’ve found all mine to hit the nail On the head when used properly

It is poorly designed, IMO, and causes users problems more than most kits.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I'm currently having an issue with my Hannah alk. It was reading 8.3 but I just got new reagent and now it's measuring 7.0. Hard to tell who to trust.

Some folks keep reagent in the fridge.

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Some folks keep reagent in the fridge.

Makes me feel important to have Randy posting in my thread. Like I've finally made it

 

[twentyleagues]

Why stay away from calcium? I’ve found all mine to hit the nail On the head when used properly

Its unnecessarily complicated. You have to use "ultra clean" water or its not accurate not that a lot of calcium test kits are but I'll stick with red sea or api as it does not matter if I have 400 or 440 calcium as long as its not 300 or 600 I'm good.

Save the $70 + headaches for a coral or more red sea or api tests.

 

[twentyleagues]

Makes me feel important to have Randy posting in my thread. Like I've finally made it

Well, It is "his" forum so whos posting where....lol

 

[DarthRaiderBob]

Well, It is "his" forum so whos posting where....lol

Very true. I suppose I am invading his space.