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View Full Version : Need to make alk referrence solution

platax88
03/27/2012, 01:28 PM
Hi!

I just got a Red Sea Pro alkalinity test and it is consistently reading 2dkh over my salifert. I was wondering if there is a way to mix a reference solution of known value so i can eliminate the faulty test.

I thought i may be able to with soda ash, but not sure how to go about it.

Thanks!
Randy Holmes-Farley
03/27/2012, 01:37 PM
Do you have an accurate balance?
platax88
03/27/2012, 04:06 PM
I have a digital scale that measures grams ... no good?
disc1
03/27/2012, 09:46 PM
3.0 meq/L would be 159mg of sodium carbonate in 1 Liter of water. For sodium bicarbonate it would be 252mg.

If your scale only measures grams but you have something to measure volumes with some degree of accuracy you can make up 16g of sodium carbonate into 1L and then dilute it 1:100. ie. 10mL into 990mL of pure water. You'll only be as accurate as whatever you used to measure the masses and volumes, but it will get you pretty close.
platax88
03/27/2012, 09:52 PM
3.0 meq/L would be 159mg of sodium carbonate in 1 Liter of water. For sodium bicarbonate it would be 252mg.

If your scale only measures grams but you have something to measure volumes with some degree of accuracy you can make up 16g of sodium carbonate into 1L and then dilute it 1:100. ie. 10mL into 990mL of pure water. You'll only be as accurate as whatever you used to measure the masses and volumes, but it will get you pretty close.

AWESOME! I'll report back my findings in a few days. Thanks so much!