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I dont understand Red Sea. If from what I have read is correct, its the KH that sets what CO2 level the indicator will be green (30ppm w/KH=4, 40ppm w/KH=5) etc. So why do they just indicate problem with accuracy with KH under 4? What about over 4? And also they should stress the importance of using something like distilled water or RO water, since tap water and tank water both can have other buffers present.
Those are good questions, loaches.
It doesn't say anything in the instructions about a KH above 4° not being accurate or why it isn't accurate below 4°. I would think that if the indicator fluid is a good quality Bromothymol Blue solution and you make a KH solution of either 4° or 5° KH with distilled/RO water and an almost pure carbonate buffer that it should work. I wonder if they are saying that it is not accurate under a KH of 4° because of interference from the other buffers and acids in the aquarium. If it's crappy indicator solution; well, that's another animal.
The instructions tell us to use aquarium water, but we know better from Barr's, Hoppy's, billlionzz's and other people's work with it.
Also, at the end of the instructions, it says: "
Note: Replace Indicator Liquid after every water change or at least once a month."
I have two of the Red Sea Indicator's but I haven't made my KH solution yet. I have everything that I need to make it but I've been doing some spring cleaning and I haven't gotten
a round toit yet. If the indicator solution is crappy, I have some other Bromothymol Blue solution here as well.
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I also like the idea of diluting the KH solution 50% so you can measure in .5 degree increments rather than 1 degree.
Have you tried LaMotte's Alkalinity test kit? It gives you a rather abrupt endpoint of purple. It's a green color before you reach the endpoint and it turns a reddish orange color if you go past the endpoint. But, there were some issues about the accuracy of the markings on the test bottle awhile back.
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