recommend a good test kit for kh

donaldbyrd · 08-03-2005, 02:20 AM

Hey can anyone recommend a good test kit for measuring KH in dh ?
I have a test that measures kh in ppm but it seems like it would be more acurate to measure in dh instead of ppm and converting, am I thinking correctly on this ?

**Jason Baliban** · 08-03-2005, 02:24 AM

I think it is more accurate to convert from ppms.....

I have a salifert kit that measures in ppms......it really measures the slightest differences.

jB

Spar · 08-03-2005, 02:27 AM

i think the most accurate way to test is to use the dKH testkits but dilute it a little more than the 5ml instruction.

I have done up to 20ml before and can get my dKH within .125

Not that it is necessary, but it definitely gets you the closest you can get if that is what you are after.

I use AP (Aquatic Pharmaceuticals) and like it.

KevinC · 08-03-2005, 11:43 AM

Since 17.9ppm CaCO3= 1dKH, the ppm method is likely more precise. Is it the type where 1 drop = 10ppm? In the dKH types 1 drop = 1dKH (unless you double or quadruple the volume), so they are less precise than a ppm-based kit. But if you use the pH-kH-CO2 chart, it really doesn't matter which one you use - it is not that finely divided in kH.

Kevin

donaldbyrd · 08-04-2005, 01:42 AM

thanks everyone for the feedback

**plantbrain** · 08-04-2005, 05:02 AM

I like the Lamotte kits, they are accurate and very nice and relatively cheap for GH and KH.

Regards,
Tom Barr

matpat · 08-04-2005, 07:37 PM

The Lamotte Alkalinity kit is nice and if memory serve me correct, it is accurate to 4ppm. I used the AP kit until I got the Lamotte and found the two to be over 1 dKH off in comparison. That could make quite the difference when calculating CO2 levels...

08-03-2005, 02:20 AM	#1
donaldbyrd Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 229	recommend a good test kit for kh Hey can anyone recommend a good test kit for measuring KH in dh ? I have a test that measures kh in ppm but it seems like it would be more acurate to measure in dh instead of ppm and converting, am I thinking correctly on this ?

08-03-2005, 02:24 AM	#2
Jason Baliban Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (90/100%) Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenixville, PA Posts: 1,941	I think it is more accurate to convert from ppms..... I have a salifert kit that measures in ppms......it really measures the slightest differences. jB __________________ Aquascapes - www.projectaquarium.com Project Aquarium on Facebook High Sundry Music Jason Baliban Photography

08-03-2005, 02:27 AM	#3
Spar Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,014	i think the most accurate way to test is to use the dKH testkits but dilute it a little more than the 5ml instruction. I have done up to 20ml before and can get my dKH within .125 Not that it is necessary, but it definitely gets you the closest you can get if that is what you are after. I use AP (Aquatic Pharmaceuticals) and like it. __________________ Cliff 110g - Vivarium (Dart Frogs) 180g - Reef 100g - Planted Tank (mainly Swords) http://photobucket.com/albums/v110/cbporter52/

08-03-2005, 11:43 AM	#4
KevinC Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 687	Since 17.9ppm CaCO3= 1dKH, the ppm method is likely more precise. Is it the type where 1 drop = 10ppm? In the dKH types 1 drop = 1dKH (unless you double or quadruple the volume), so they are less precise than a ppm-based kit. But if you use the pH-kH-CO2 chart, it really doesn't matter which one you use - it is not that finely divided in kH. Kevin __________________ Kevin 72g bowfront planted, CO2, 2x - T5HO, Eheim 2213 and 2013, red tiger lotus, vals, java fern and moss, crypts, swords, mbuna tank: Yellow labs, Ps. demasoni, clown plecos, SAE's. 10g mini-reef. 16lbs LR, green mushroom, star polyps, wagon wheel polyps, purple mushroom, candycane, hammer, other zoas, CUC.

08-04-2005, 07:37 PM	#7
matpat Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 85	The Lamotte Alkalinity kit is nice and if memory serve me correct, it is accurate to 4ppm. I used the AP kit until I got the Lamotte and found the two to be over 1 dKH off in comparison. That could make quite the difference when calculating CO2 levels... __________________ Matt South Western Ohio Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts (SWOAPE) member AGA member

08-04-2005, 01:42 AM	#5
donaldbyrd Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lakeland Florida Posts: 229	thanks everyone for the feedback

08-04-2005, 05:02 AM	#6
plantbrain Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (232/100%) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The swamp Posts: 11,996	I like the Lamotte kits, they are accurate and very nice and relatively cheap for GH and KH. Regards, Tom Barr

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