What alkalinity level do you keep in your REEF?

Zoaelite · #1 04-30-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

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 · #2 04-30-2010, 06:42 PM

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 · #3 04-30-2010, 08:11 PM

Thanks for the info Danny.

christyf5 · #4 04-30-2010, 10:34 PM

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 · #5 04-30-2010, 11:19 PM

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 · #6 04-30-2010, 11:29 PM

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 · #7 05-01-2010, 02:43 AM

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!

View Poll Results: What test kit do you use? What alkalinity do you keep?
Salifert <7 dKH	0	0%
Salifert 7-8 dKH	4	4.55%
Salifert 8-9 dKH	16	18.18%
Salifert 9-10 dKH	8	9.09%
Salifert >10 dKH	4	4.55%
Elos <7 dKH	0	0%
Elos 7-8 dKH	6	6.82%
Elos 8-9 dKH	10	11.36%
Elos 9-10 dKH	10	11.36%
Elos <10 dKH	1	1.14%
High end kit (LaMotte, Hanna, etc) <7 dKH	0	0%
High end 7-8 dKH	2	2.27%
High end 8-9 dKH	5	5.68%
High end 9-10 dKH	1	1.14%
High end >10 dKH	0	0%
Lower end (API, Hagen, Instant Ocean, etc) <7 dKH	2	2.27%
Lower end 7-8 dKH	8	9.09%
Lower end 8-9 dKH	5	5.68%
Lower end 9-10 dKH	7	7.95%
Lower end >10 dKH	4	4.55%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 88. You may not vote on this poll