KH Testing

[Bear22]

Guys,

Is there a kH testing kit/device that shines above the rest with respect to getting accurate results?

Currently using the Salifert kit for testing.

TIA

 

[commod0re]

Hanna alkalinity colorimeter checker is really good

 

[painter1982]

Hanna checker is simple. Randy has a diy method on here that is accurate.

 

[EnterName]

Here's the link to Randy's DIY titration:

A DIY Alkalinity Test

A DIY Alkalinity Test Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels. While hobby test kits for alkalinity can be simple to use, some...

www.reef2reef.com

Don't get me wrong, the HannaChecker is easy to use and gets the job done, but the reagent can expire quite fast once opened and will yield too low results if this happens.

As far as I know alkalinity is one of those parameters that are better determined with titration instead of colorimetry. You are already doing this when using a salifert test kit, but you can get more precision by using a pH probe instead of a pH indicator (the color change you observe when performing the test).

 

[Bear22]

Here's the link to Randy's DIY titration:

A DIY Alkalinity Test

A DIY Alkalinity Test Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels. While hobby test kits for alkalinity can be simple to use, some...

www.reef2reef.com

Don't get me wrong, the HannaChecker is easy to use and gets the job done, but the reagent can expire quite fast once opened and will yield too low results if this happens.

As far as I know alkalinity is one of those parameters that are better determined with titration instead of colorimetry. You are already doing this when using a salifert test kit, but you can get more precision by using a pH probe instead of a pH indicator (the color change you observe when performing the test).

I don't doubt that this is probably one of the more accurate testing protocols for kH. However, I feel like this might open up other cans of worms so to speak with the pH tester itself.

Meaning, calibrating a dual probe tester with two point solutions (example 7.0 & 10.). I don't really want to have to calibrate my device at 4.0 and 7.0 solutions just to get the most accurate result; just to turn around and have to re-calibrate at 7.0 and 10.0 for regular/routine pH testing.

Maybe, the Salifert test is good enough.

 

[EnterName]

Here's the link to Randy's DIY titration:

A DIY Alkalinity Test

A DIY Alkalinity Test Alkalinity is one of the most important measurements that a reef aquarist can make. It can become rapidly depleted in many aquaria, requiring frequent measurement in order to maintain stable levels. While hobby test kits for alkalinity can be simple to use, some...

www.reef2reef.com

Don't get me wrong, the HannaChecker is easy to use and gets the job done, but the reagent can expire quite fast once opened and will yield too low results if this happens.

As far as I know alkalinity is one of those parameters that are better determined with titration instead of colorimetry. You are already doing this when using a salifert test kit, but you can get more precision by using a pH probe instead of a pH indicator (the color change you observe when performing the test).

I don't doubt that this is probably one of the more accurate testing protocols for kH. However, I feel like this might open up other cans of worms so to speak with the pH tester itself.

Meaning, calibrating a dual probe tester with two point solutions (example 7.0 & 10.). I don't really want to have to calibrate my device at 4.0 and 7.0 solutions just to get the most accurate result; just to turn around and have to re-calibrate at 7.0 and 10.0 for regular/routine pH testing.

Maybe, the Salifert test is good enough.

Yes, it is prone to error if the pH probe isn't calibrated properly, but it's quite precise if done right.

I don't think you really need precision beyond salifert for reef tank purposes to be honest.

 

[slingfox]

Hanna checker is my go to device for alk testing. Seems close enough to the readings I get from periodic ICP.

 

[exnisstech]

I've had good luck with my Hanna alkalinity tester. I've compared it with salifert a couple of times and they were almost identical so I use the Hanna. I've not had trouble with reagents but I keep mine refrigerated and shake before each use. I have not used reagent past the expiration date.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I don't doubt that this is probably one of the more accurate testing protocols for kH. However, I feel like this might open up other cans of worms so to speak with the pH tester itself.

Meaning, calibrating a dual probe tester with two point solutions (example 7.0 & 10.). I don't really want to have to calibrate my device at 4.0 and 7.0 solutions just to get the most accurate result; just to turn around and have to re-calibrate at 7.0 and 10.0 for regular/routine pH testing.

Maybe, the Salifert test is good enough.

The result is fairly insensitive to exact calibration due to the shape of the curve. The measured alk changes little with pH changes once near the endpoint.

I use it and it can be more accurate and far less expensive the other methods. One reason is that one can use a large water volume (500 mL or more)