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View Full Version : Habitually low ALK!!?!?!?!


SWINGRRRR
10/11/2009, 04:36 PM
Well, I just found my test (calibration fluid stuff) in my garage. So for no other reason other then bordem, I tested my Salifert kit. Guess what??? It seemed to be exactly 1 dKH off. It says its supposed to be 7.4 +/- .03 off. Well I got 6.4 3 times in a row, doing the exact same thing.
So that means my stead 8.0-8.5 has actually been 7-7.5.
Will this slow growth and cause pale colors?

SPSpirate
10/11/2009, 05:13 PM
shouldn't..7.0-7.5 dkh is good! infact thats what it is in the oceans reefs.

Nanook
10/11/2009, 08:22 PM
[moved]

bertoni
10/12/2009, 05:47 PM
I doubt that difference in alkalinity will have any effect at all. I'd probably replace the test kit, though, since it might get worse over time.

SWINGRRRR
10/12/2009, 05:49 PM
Aight, thanks. I plan to get an Elos test kit soon.

bertoni
10/12/2009, 05:55 PM
You're welcome!

awilson500
10/13/2009, 12:56 AM
I was once told that you should store your alk kits in a dark place, because the light can make them inaccurate.

Randy Holmes-Farley
10/13/2009, 04:44 AM
Some alkalinity kits do seem to begin to fail as they get old, but I've not ever seen a good explanation of that process. The acid titrant itself shouldn't go bad unless water enters or leaves it by evaporation, etc.

SWINGRRRR
10/14/2009, 06:38 AM
I was once told that you should store your alk kits in a dark place, because the light can make them inaccurate.

Some alkalinity kits do seem to begin to fail as they get old, but I've not ever seen a good explanation of that process. The acid titrant itself shouldn't go bad unless water enters or leaves it by evaporation, etc.

I keep all my test kits in their boxes. The only thing I can think of is that they are stored right beside my 2 water containers. I keep 80 gallons of water on hand, and the trash containers are kept on shelves, and I use part of the shelves for storage. But like I said, they are all in their boxes with the lids and all sealed.

Randy Holmes-Farley
10/14/2009, 06:53 AM
Well, if you get a new high quality kit and it matches your existing ones, they are likely still fine, so don't toss them out. :)