Follow the instructions included in the kit. It states that the number of drops needed to produce a certain color must be counted. Make sure you are looking at the test tube from the top down and not along the side of the tube. If test isn't conducted correctly, the results are guaranteed to be skewed.
GH booster - do I need it?
My tap water is very soft, and the GH is so hard to test with the API kit. Normally it takes 2 drops to get the water a very light green color. Does that mean my GH is 2 or should I keep dropping to get a more solid color? If it is 2, then I have a spare bottle of API electro-right (GH supplement). Even if this product raises TDS higher than 18 ppm, should I use it anyway because I only need to use a little bit? Originally I thought it was 3-6 because i always dropped more after the light green color and because my shrimp always molt fine without issues. This test kit is so hard to read :|
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I have the same problem with soft water. When I used the API test kit, I'd get the same results. But yeah, as long as there is a change in color, you've reached your target range. So in this case, your dGH is 2.
As soon as the color changes from yellow to green that's your number. So if it only takes 2 drops to make it light green then your gh is 2. That seems really low. What's the kh and ph?
pH is 7.4, 6.8-7.0 after aging, KH is 0-1.As soon as the color changes from yellow to green that's your number. So if it only takes 2 drops to make it light green then your gh is 2. That seems really low. What's the kh and ph?
I just did another test, this time looking straight down into the tube instead of sideways. This time the 2nd drop looked more yellow except with a slight green tinge.
Wow, you almost have the same params as me. How did you measure 0 dKH?
If the water turns yellow after the 1st drop, then it's 0-1.Wow, you almost have the same params as me. How did you measure 0 dKH?
I find with the gh test you really have to shake it hard to see the color change well.
Ah alright. I've ran into the same issue and always assumed it was just 1.If the water turns yellow after the 1st drop, then it's 0-1.
What kind of shrimp do you plan on keeping?
I already have OEBTs in my tank, I haven't had a death so far and they molt without issue (although no berries yet; I've only had them for a month). I'm just concerned if the GH will give me some problems later on.Ah alright. I've ran into the same issue and always assumed it was just 1.
What kind of shrimp do you plan on keeping?
OEBT's should be kept in the 6-8 range. Not berrying may be a sign that all is not well.
Yeah, I think they're alive right now because I have zebra rock in the tank which raises the GH. I got them from APB and they were all juveniles so it may be that they need more time to grow.OEBT's should be kept in the 6-8 range.
I am going to start using the API stuff with water changes and see how that goes.
Molting issues don't become apparent until its far too late.
It can take up to 2 months of being in 1 GH before you see any issues. Basically once they molt in your low GH water once, you have about a month before they need to molt again, which is when you'll start seeing problems.
It can take up to 2 months of being in 1 GH before you see any issues. Basically once they molt in your low GH water once, you have about a month before they need to molt again, which is when you'll start seeing problems.
sorry, dont want to sound like a broken record here:
5. The test is completed when the water in the test tube, after having been shaken, turns from blue to yellow. If you have difficulty discerning the color after the first drop of test solution is added, remove the cap from the test tube and, while holding it over a white background, look down through the tube.
6. The KH value is determined by the number of drops of test solution that must be added to turn the water in the test tube bright yellow. See GH & KH Conversion Chart at end of instruction leaflet.
For reference:
http://cms.marsfishcare.com/uploads/gh and kh test kit and kh test kit 58-59 insert.pdf
GH & KH CONVERSION CHART
# of Drops - ºdKH - ppm GH/KH
1 1 17.9
2 2 35.8
3 3 53.7
4 4 71.6
5 5 89.5
6 6 107.4
7 7 125.3 <---- you need to be here for OEBT's
8 8 143.2
9 9 161.1
10 10 179
11 11 196.9
12 12 214.8
Good Luck!
5. The test is completed when the water in the test tube, after having been shaken, turns from blue to yellow. If you have difficulty discerning the color after the first drop of test solution is added, remove the cap from the test tube and, while holding it over a white background, look down through the tube.
6. The KH value is determined by the number of drops of test solution that must be added to turn the water in the test tube bright yellow. See GH & KH Conversion Chart at end of instruction leaflet.
For reference:
http://cms.marsfishcare.com/uploads/gh and kh test kit and kh test kit 58-59 insert.pdf
GH & KH CONVERSION CHART
# of Drops - ºdKH - ppm GH/KH
1 1 17.9
2 2 35.8
3 3 53.7
4 4 71.6
5 5 89.5
6 6 107.4
7 7 125.3 <---- you need to be here for OEBT's
8 8 143.2
9 9 161.1
10 10 179
11 11 196.9
12 12 214.8
Good Luck!
I have done both steps. I just tested the GH in my tank (not from the tap) and got 7. As I thought, the zebra rocks were raising the GH. Will they continue to buffer forever or at least a very long time?
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