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08/17/2017, 01:50 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 67
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Salifert alk test kit problems
So I just got a new alk test kit from salifert , and it's reading way lower than my old on , any ideas what could be going on ?
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08/17/2017, 01:57 PM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 5,313
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I have read that as the ALK kit older, some of the reagent evaporates resulting in a higher number then what is actual. I have found this to be somewhat true. I have had kits that measure higher then a new kit, and some that are spot on with the new kit.
Retest with the new kit and make sure it's not just a testing error.
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80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work" |
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08/17/2017, 02:17 PM
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#3 |
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RC Mod
 
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The alk test can expire, and expiration might be hastened by storage conditions. I'd trust the newer kit.
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Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. |
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08/17/2017, 02:35 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dewitt MI
Posts: 5,051
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Find the kit you like and just stick with it. I have 3 for alk, Elos, Salifert and Hanna. I pretty much stick with the Salifert. Tested with all 3 today and the results were (in order above) 8.5, 7.84 and 7.68. For the most part where you keep your Alk is much less important than stability. I shoot for 8.0. Anything from about 7.5-10 is ok.
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Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels |
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08/17/2017, 04:15 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,432
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What were the readings of the old and new kits? Did you perform the measurements on the same water sample?
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08/18/2017, 02:58 PM
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#6 |
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RC Mod
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Mountain View, CA, USA
Posts: 88,616
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As stated, the reagents will lose water over time, but that should make the test read lower. I agree that we need to know the difference to say much.
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Jonathan Bertoni |
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08/19/2017, 02:47 AM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Posts: 10,431
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Get a friend or an LFS to test it as well and see which one their test agrees with.
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The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017 |
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