water tests...
 

Can anyone tell me the relationship between GH/KH and ALK? I have a test for the first 2 and I'm wondering if you can get the ALK from those?

Thanks, Walter

Hi Walter,
The directions on my test kit (Hagen) state that after testing for KH (carbonate hardness), multiply the results by 0.56 for dKH, or 0.02 for mEq/L for the ALK readings.
My water generally tests at 190 for KH, so I get:
3.8 for mEq/L
10.6 for dKH
This is where I get confused :lol: - some people give tank specs in dKH and some in mEq/L???
BTW, Hagen states that the GH test is not recommended for saltwater...
~Tamara

*Edited to fix my water specs, that I had mixed up - thanks Beverly!

Check out these two links. They do a good job explaining the chemistry:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

and

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu.../chemistry.htm

Jim

Tamara, I have not used the Hagen KH kit, but I think you have the numbers for dKH and mEq/L mixed up. It looks to me like you would have 10.6 dKH and 3.8 mEq/L instead of the other way around. dKH is always a larger number than mEq/L.

Oops :redface:
You're right, Beverly!
No wonder I confuse myself...
Should have had that second cuppa this a.m.
Thanks!
~Tamara

Thanks everyone! I'll give it a try.

Walter

Ok, I tested and I got a result of 4.48 dKH. Looking at other peoples numbers, mine is very low. Should be 10-12 from what I can see. Does this mean I should be dosing with kalk?

Walter

Walter,

Read through and follow the instructions on the two links provided above.