What alkalinity level do you keep in your REEF?

[Zoaelite]

Originally Posted by kien

8 dkH with API test kit.

+1, although the API test kits are a little cheaper (around $45.00 for the reef master kit) I still find them very reliable. I haven't used many different Alk test kits but any kit relying on distinct color changes over the old Hagen "Pink nitrate test" comparison is better in my books.

[danny zubot]

I have used Salifert, Elos and API for Kh tests and find that I got similar readings with all three. Since I don't really care to know to the tenth of a degree what my KH is, I've opted to use API lately for it's simplicity. I try to keep my KH at around 9-10 Kh via my API test. It's good to know that I don't need to keep it that high though.

[Myka]

Thanks for the info Danny.

[christyf5]

I aim for around 7-9, I like to keep it closer to 9 but the tank likes to be around 7 it seems.

I too bought the elos kit after people were complaining about the salifert. I got pretty much the same readings for both elos and salifert. And the elos kit had incorrect instructions which I wasn't impressed with so I've stuck with salifert.

[Doug]

I voted 8 to 9 dkh with both Salifert & Elos. No particular preference. All through the '90,s and into 2000, I always used the cheaper FastTest or whatever the name was. Measured the same as the Salifert I used. Could buy the kits for $10 but dont see the anymore.

I like API for phosphate and nitrate, so may switch to them, as I see you guys say they make alk. test kits also.

[don.ald]

with my elos i get a reading of 6
with the API i get 8
too big of a difference??\
anyone else see different results?

[Myka]

I have lost faith in Salifert alkalinity test kits. They really seem to vary. The one I have now reads 2 dKH lower than the Elos and the Hanna Colorimeter, and the Salifert alk kit I had before that read 3 dKH lower. That's pretty frustrating.

Thanks for voting everyone! Lots of interesting information here...everyone is all over the charts!