Alk testing?

[Rglad91]

testing alkalinity using Hanna and Red Sea test kits I get two different readings.
Hanna 2 test- 8.1 & 8.0
Red Sea- 10.3 & 9.9

There both pretty consistent with each other’s test but yet so different from brands. Read sea I probably got a little sloppy on one or the other so that gap varies. I wonder what one I should go off or do I need another test kit brand?

 

[Crabs McJones]

testing alkalinity using Hanna and Red Sea test kits I get two different readings.
Hanna 2 test- 8.1 & 8.0
Red Sea- 10.3 & 9.9

There both pretty consistent with each other’s test but yet so different from brands. Read sea I probably got a little sloppy on one or the other so that gap varies. I wonder what one I should go off or do I need another test kit brand?

What's the expiration dates on either test kit? That's a considerable difference.

 

[GoVols]

testing alkalinity using Hanna and Red Sea test kits I get two different readings.
Hanna 2 test- 8.1 & 8.0
Red Sea- 10.3 & 9.9

There both pretty consistent with each other’s test but yet so different from brands. Read sea I probably got a little sloppy on one or the other so that gap varies. I wonder what one I should go off or do I need another test kit brand?

I used to use the Red Sea pro and with that kit the end point is not a certain color. Your just looking for and end point color change.
When you see the change then stop the the tritration.

All said in done:
I have moved over to the Hanna alk checker (last year) and not looking back.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I used to use the Red Sea pro and with that kit the end point is not a certain color. Your just looking for and end point color change.
When you see the change then stop the the tritration.

All said in done:
I have moved over to the Hanna alk checker (last year) and not looking back.

Same. Cant beat a digital readout

 

[Rglad91]

I bought the hanna’s but then bought the red sea pro kit for the Magnesium and it seemed cheaper to get all 3 in a pack. I just decided to try out the Red Sea Alkalinity & Calcium test kits today. The calcium test are right on between Hanna and Red Sea. It’s the alkalinity that differs, that’s why I did two of each. But I just purchased everything a couple months ago, expiration dates are good.

 

[Rglad91]

I bought the hanna’s but then bought the red sea pro kit for the Magnesium and it seemed cheaper to get all 3 in a pack. I just decided to try out the Red Sea Alkalinity & Calcium test kits today. The calcium test are right on between Hanna and Red Sea. It’s the alkalinity that differs, that’s why I did two of each. But I just purchased everything a couple months ago, expiration dates are good.

Hanna needs to step it up some how and make more kits. They make life so much easier. Manual test kits take an hour to go through them all, that’s if you don’t lose count on something

 

[jsker]

I switched over to Hanna a year ago, for the reason that there were some inconsistency with the Red Sea alk test from reagent to reagent. I found the the ELOS and the AquaForest Alk tests are right in line with the Hanna. I agree with the other posts that Hanna is great for a digital read out instead of color.

 

[estebanb450]

I also had the same issue with Hanna and Red Sea Hanna 9.0 Red Sea 10 I think it’s also part with human error possibly. I stick with Hanna unless something is off then I go between multiple kits

 

[GoVols]

The Red Sea Pro mag has burned me too many times ;Dead
It's well know that kit, can give false high mag readings :mad:

Heck,
For cal and alk, API is pretty good

 

[Rglad91]

Yah I have a feeling I need a different mag test kit, the Red Sea kit seems high. I keep getting around a 1600 reading

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yah I have a feeling I need a different mag test kit, the Red Sea kit seems high. I keep getting around a 1600 reading

Many people have issues with the Red Sea magnesium kit.[emoji30]

 

[recess62]

What Mg kit is recommended? I use the Red Sea. I do t seem to have issues with it but I do not have anything to compare these results with

 

[JimWelsh]

Salifert.

 

[Rglad91]

Magnesium question, sorry if it’s off topic. I’m consistently getting about 1600-ppm reading. So I just tested a fresh batch of fritz salt water and tested it and it tested at 1580. They say there salt is around 1300-1400. So I’m gonna pick up a different kit but would you say my tank level is probably 1300-1400 by my readings until I test with a different kit?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Magnesium question, sorry if it’s off topic. I’m consistently getting about 1600-ppm reading. So I just tested a fresh batch of fritz salt water and tested it and it tested at 1580. They say there salt is around 1300-1400. So I’m gonna pick up a different kit but would you say my tank level is probably 1300-1400 by my readings until I test with a different kit?

I would say that whatever it is isn't an emergency and can wait for a new kit.