Can someone who use Tetra test KH (Carbonate Hardness) help me?

[bk_market]

I got the test kit without any direction.

So What I did is I used the 5ml tube and get 5ml ofmy tank water to the mark on the tube.

I slowly drop the liquid from Tetra test KH to the 5ml tube 1 by 1

First 5 drop it change the water to clear blue, then starting from 6 it start to change to light green then light yellow at 7 and yellow at 8.


So what is my alk? is alk samething as carbonate hardness and KH? Am I doing the right thing? For a mixed reef what is the recommened amount? Thanx

[Peter Eichler]

7 drops = 7 dkh and IME that test reads a little low so you need to boost it 3-5 DKH.

[bk_market]

so i need to stop when it change to light yellow correct? Also u saying i have to add 3~5 DKH that mean alk from 10~12 is good? Thanx

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9847946#post9847946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bk_market
so i need to stop when it change to light yellow correct? Also u saying i have to add 3~5 DKH that mean alk from 10~12 is good? Thanx

Correct. Once it goes from blue to yelllow your test is done and the number of drops = the DKH. 10-12 DKH is what you want, alkalinity is usually measured in meq/l.

[boxfishpooalot]

No that is wrong. This test measure in Calcium Carbonate equivellents, ppm CaCao3 equivellents. Kh. 8 drops = 80 CCE. (8 drops X 10= 80 kh)

You need 125-200 kh for this test in saltwater. Add some arm and hammer baking soda and raise it to 125 kh. That is 2.5meq/l.

This is a Hagen test kit right? If so then its CCE, not dkh. KH.

125 is the target to maintain.

Here is a calculator for how much baking soda to add. Be sure to minus the sand and rock volume.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Your current alkalinity in meq/l is 1.61meq/l or 4.5dkh or 80 CaCo3 as ppm. This is low.

[Peter Eichler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9851028#post9851028 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by boxfishpooalot
No that is wrong. This test measure in Calcium Carbonate equivellents, ppm CaCao3 equivellents. Kh. 8 drops = 80 CCE. (8 drops X 10= 80 kh)

You need 125-200 kh for this test in saltwater. Add some arm and hammer baking soda and raise it to 125 kh. That is 2.5meq/l.

This is a Hagen test kit right? If so then its CCE, not dkh. KH.

125 is the target to maintain.

Here is a calculator for how much baking soda to add. Be sure to minus the sand and rock volume.

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Your current alkalinity in meq/l is 1.61meq/l or 4.5dkh or 80 CaCo3 as ppm. This is low.

Don't confuse the poor guy... It's a Tetra test kit and it measures in dKH unless my memory is totally shot. 1 drop = 1 dKH.