Salifert KH Alkalinity Test Kit

SKU
SAL1015
$13.99
Order by 3:30pm EST for Same Day Shipping (M-F)

The kit can perform approx. 100 - 200 measurements.

Calcium alone cannot form the skeletal material of corals and allow calcareous algae to grow. Some other substances are needed as well. A few other constituents are carbonate and bicarbonate. These two substances also have a major impact on the stabilization of the pH in the proper range of 8.1 – 8.4. Such stabilization is called buffering.

The total carbonate and bicarbonate concentration is called carbonate alkalinity or carbonate hardness. The only difference between alkalinity and carbonate hardness is a conversion factor.

NSW has an alkalinity of approx. 2.7 meq/L or approx. 7.5 dKH when expressed as carbonate hardness.

For a stable system, the alkalinity or carbonate hardness should have a value similar to NSW or slightly higher. It should preferably not fluctuate by more than 5%. This means a maximum fluctuation of 0.14 meq/L or 0.4 dKH.

Therefore, an alkalinity test kit should be capable in measuring in steps smaller than 0.14 meq/L.

Conclusion: 

A proper formulated buffer should function in such a way that the corrective measures results in a long lasting effect and should not upset the pH of the system. The alkalinity or carbonate hardness should be kept as stable as possible requiring highly sensitive and accurate means for testing.

The Salifert KH Alkalinity Test Kit kit is very straightforward. It measures in sufficient small steps of 0.1 meq/L or 0.3 dKH  with a sharp color change. This makes detection of important yet small change possible. 

The Salifert KH + pH Buffer makes correction of the alkalinity or carbonate hardness simple and does not upset the pH of the system. Within 24 hours it will acquire the pH corresponding to other aquarium parameters. Should the pH remain low within 24 hours of corrective measures then an insufficient gaseous exchange (inefficient aeration) is quite often the cause.

More Information
Manufacturer Salifert
MANUAL No

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