how to test dkh?

[69camaro540]

how do you test for dkh? i have a carbonate hardness test that i tested my water with. the test said that i had a 120 meg/l. the test kit said that was in the ideal range. how do you figure out the dkh? is there a seperate test kit or is there a conversion to change meg/l to dkh? thanks

[Mariner]

A carbonate hardness test will work. dKH is just another unit of measurement (like the difference between inches and centimeters)
But your 120 meg/l doesn't sound right. You sure that's not ppm?
Here are some basic conversions I found on the web.
1 meg/L = 50 ppm CaCO3
To convert meq/l to ppm CaCO3, multiply by 50
To convert meq/l to dKH mutiply by 2.8
To convert dkH to meq/l divide by 2.8
To convert dKH to ppm multiply by 17.9

hth,
Mariner

[bertoni]

1 meq/L = 50 ppm = 2.8 dKH.

I think your test returns ppm, and 120 is a tad low, with 125 ppm a minimum. I target around 180 or so.

[mg426]

Sounds like a Hagen test kit. If so it is in PPM.

[69camaro540]

sorry, my fault. i relooked at the test kit, i put in 12 drops and that was supposed to be multiplied by 10, which is 120 and that is mg/l(ppm) as calcium carbonated (CaCO3). so how would that convert to dkh? thanks again.

[bertoni]

mg/L is the same as ppm. So you're at 2.4 meq/L. Multiply by 2.8 to give dKH.

[Mariner]

Divide by 17.9 my friend.

[69camaro540]

you are right, it is a hagen test kit. if i am a low, what is the best way to raise it? thanks

[bertoni]

You should choose a calcium-alkalinity supplementation scheme. Both elements need to be watched, and they are closely related. This article might be useful:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

For getting started, buying some B-Ionic or an equivalent product is a good choice, IMO. If you're a DIY type, there's a recipe for mixing an equivalent up yourself. The article lists some other choices, but I'd suggest sticking to B-Ionic or the like for starters.