Need help reading GH and KH

[Hmoobthor]

So i finally got a kit to read them.

After test I got this result...

in my 20 long with RCS
KH - 4 drops so this means I have 4 dkh ?
Gh - 24 drops as for this I don't know ...the API chart only goes up to 12 drop

i also test my other tank... they are pretty close

I put 1 almond leafs in this tank

What did i do wrong on the GH?

[AquaPipes]

I have found the API test kit to be horrible at reading GH. I switched to Tetra's kit, which uses a different reagent, and found it to be much easier to read and more accurate. The Sera kits I believe are also the same reagent if you can't find the Tetra locally.

[Hmoobthor]

Originally Posted by AquaPipes

I have found the API test kit to be horrible at reading GH. I switched to Tetra's kit, which uses a different reagent, and found it to be much easier to read and more accurate. The Sera kits I believe are also the same reagent if you can't find the Tetra locally.

this suck...i just got it...they don't have anything of those kit locally

how to make it read more accurate...because i notice when i do GH, my first drop was just clear...then it gets dark orange after 4-10 drops..then really darker 10-20...

[lipadj46]

Originally Posted by Hmoobthor

this suck...i just got it...they don't have anything of those kit locally

how to make it read more accurate...because i notice when i do GH, my first drop was just clear...then it gets dark orange after 4-10 drops..then really darker 10-20...

You are way overshooting

[Hmoobthor]

Originally Posted by lipadj46

You are way overshooting

no..the Gh test is not reading well for some reason..

[GeToChKn]

First, are you shaking really well after adding each drop?

Second, to test, get some RO or distilled water from the grocery store and take say 10ml of your water and 30ml of distilled or RO water. That should dilute your water and your gH down by 75% and then test again and see if it takes 6 drops to change instead of 24 to see if your kit is working properly.

[Kunsthure]

I agree with GeTo. The change to green is very subtle with my test. After each shake I have to put it up against a white piece of paper to see the slight change.

-Lisa

[Hmoobthor]

Originally Posted by GeToChKn

First, are you shaking really well after adding each drop?

Second, to test, get some RO or distilled water from the grocery store and take say 10ml of your water and 30ml of distilled or RO water. That should dilute your water and your gH down by 75% and then test again and see if it takes 6 drops to change instead of 24 to see if your kit is working properly.

just test it with half and half of purified water and tank water.

GH was 10 drops.

Test with tank water only and same result at 23 drops...so it works.

Is there any way to lower this to acceptable level...or do i have to spend $5 for some distille water.

Say if i do change about 20% wc and replace with distille water...do i have to keep doing this each water change?

[nosebleed]

Originally Posted by Hmoobthor

just test it with half and half of purified water and tank water.

GH was 10 drops.

Test with tank water only and same result at 23 drops...so it works.

Is there any way to lower this to acceptable level...or do i have to spend $5 for some distille water.

Say if i do change about 20% wc and replace with distille water...do i have to keep doing this each water change?

Mine was like that to since the last time I checked. I haven't check it since.

[Hmoobthor]

Oka....

After the test, i went to test my tap straight from the faucet...

15 drops!!

I guess i been slacking on my water change...lol ..will do maybe more than 10% wc

[randyl]

Originally Posted by Hmoobthor

Oka....

After the test, i went to test my tap straight from the faucet...

15 drops!!

I guess i been slacking on my water change...lol ..will do maybe more than 10% wc

For your tap being so hard, you have to top off with RO otherwise your TDS will creep up. WCs will bring it close to your tap but unless you do a 100% WC, your GH will always be higher than your tap.