water tests...

[whaase]

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

[Shy_Koi]

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 - 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!

[Lofus]

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

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Shy_Koi

My water generally tests at 190 for KH, so I get:
3.8 for dKH
10.6 for mEq/L
This is where I get confused

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.

[Shy_Koi]

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

[whaase]

Thanks everyone! I'll give it a try.

Walter

[whaase]

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

[Beverly]

Walter,

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