Alkalinity and pH Testing

[GoBlue923]

So I've scoured the WWW and tons of forums looking for the answer to what I would have thought was a simple and already answered question. I have a saltwater pool Colorimeter (LaMotte Color Q7) that I use to test my pool chemicals. This tester checks pH and Alkalinity along with all the other tests for pools (free chlorine/total chlorine/hardness/conditioner). Could I use the same test kit to test Alkalinity and pH for my aquarium. I understand the different in salinity but would that affect my Alkalinity and pH readings? Just trying to save money on buying all the different tests and reagents if I can dual purpose what I have. Aquarium testers aren't cheap and the reagents in my experience expire within a year or two depending on the reagent. Any input is certainly welcome!

 

[Fish Think Pink]

So I've scoured the WWW and tons of forums looking for the answer to what I would have thought was a simple and already answered question. I have a saltwater pool Colorimeter (LaMotte Color Q7) that I use to test my pool chemicals. This tester checks pH and Alkalinity along with all the other tests for pools (free chlorine/total chlorine/hardness/conditioner). Could I use the same test kit to test Alkalinity and pH for my aquarium. I understand the different in salinity but would that affect my Alkalinity and pH readings? Just trying to save money on buying all the different tests and reagents if I can dual purpose what I have. Aquarium testers aren't cheap and the reagents in my experience expire within a year or two depending on the reagent. Any input is certainly welcome!

So, people who know me are going to bash me for admitting this, but yes I tried to skimp and used pool tester for some readings... but then I discovered LFS will test those if I pay them... and you are right - the pool-based test readings on reef were wrong, so I was needlessly stressing.

I'd recommend either 1) invest in real kits yourself or 2) call around to LFS and see if they will test for you. Turns out one I go to A.L.L. T.H.E. T.I.M.E. does testing, some they charge for, and its nice to get second opinion on all my results without sending away for an ICP. What I learned: if I don't ask, then I don't know. There was no sign at LFS and I never asked... now I even have a little water bottle from them with their logo & hours that when I'm in their area I can fill and take. (must keep reef bottle away from similar pool water sample bottle!)

 

[GoBlue923]

So, people who know me are going to bash me for admitting this, but yes I tried to skimp and used pool tester for some readings... but then I discovered LFS will test those if I pay them... and you are right - the pool-based test readings on reef were wrong, so I was needlessly stressing.

I'd recommend either 1) invest in real kits yourself or 2) call around to LFS and see if they will test for you. Turns out one I go to A.L.L. T.H.E. T.I.M.E. does testing, some they charge for, and its nice to get second opinion on all my results without sending away for an ICP. What I learned: if I don't ask, then I don't know. There was no sign at LFS and I never asked... now I even have a little water bottle from them with their logo & hours that when I'm in their area I can fill and take. (must keep reef bottle away from similar pool water sample bottle!)

I wouldn't say skimping. I would say using currently available resources. No sense in duplicating test kits if I can dual purpose what I already have. Especially since reagents expire. I just assumed a saltwater pool and saltwater aquarium might yield similar results chemistry-wise when it comes to testing but I'm certainly no chemist. The LFS I use and bought my tank from will test the water for free. Testing it at my house is really just a matter of convenience for me.

How are the Hanna Colorimeters? They seem to be the popular choice for most online fish stores.

 

[czoolander]

I started purchasing and slowly switching all my testing to the digital Hannah instruments. For me they are a game changer. I am not quite colour blind I see colour ( having a reef tank being fully colour blind would make no sense) but I am legally colour blind if that makes sense haha so anyway using the standard test kits and trying to figure out what shade of pink or what shade of blue my water was and matching was a nightmare. SO the digital read outs are GAME CHANGER for me . They run about $65-$80 each but worth every penny to me for an accurate reading and not guessing what the peramiter is .

 

[Fish Think Pink]

I wouldn't say skimping. I would say using currently available resources. No sense in duplicating test kits if I can dual purpose what I already have. Especially since reagents expire. I just assumed a saltwater pool and saltwater aquarium might yield similar results chemistry-wise when it comes to testing but I'm certainly no chemist. The LFS I use and bought my tank from will test the water for free. Testing it at my house is really just a matter of convenience for me.

How are the Hanna Colorimeters? They seem to be the popular choice for most online fish stores.

My Hanna Phosphorus ULR is my favorite test kit (still have do conversion to phosphate). My Hanna LR Nitrate kit I hate (also hate my SeaChem Magnesium test kit nearly as much). When researching kits for recommendations, in hindsight I also should have looked at the instructions prior to purchasing. I'm not a chemist and didn't realize how quickly these kits would frustrate me. Instead of getting replacement test kits, I'm putting that money instead into testing automation maybe with Neptune Trident OR Mastertronic but open to others that perhaps I have not yet researched as deeply. This automated testing path might not be the right testing path for everyone but if they didn't have technology for this I'd probably give up corals over time and just do FOWLR as testing is fewer/simpler.

 

[GoBlue923]

My Hanna Phosphorus ULR is my favorite test kit (still have do conversion to phosphate). My Hanna LR Nitrate kit I hate (also hate my SeaChem Magnesium test kit nearly as much). When researching kits for recommendations, in hindsight I also should have looked at the instructions prior to purchasing. I'm not a chemist and didn't realize how quickly these kits would frustrate me. Instead of getting replacement test kits, I'm putting that money instead into testing automation maybe with Neptune Trident OR Mastertronic but open to others that perhaps I have not yet researched as deeply. This automated testing path might not be the right testing path for everyone but if they didn't have technology for this I'd probably give up corals over time and just do FOWLR as testing is fewer/simpler.

I'm also considering the Neptune Trident for automated testing as I already have most of the Neptune Apex product line. Since it measures three of the parameters that I really want to know it will probably happen sooner than later.

 

[jt8791]

Worst case if you don’t want to break the bank api tests are cheap and will give you a rough ballpark estimate for now. Although I’m saving up for hannas someday, seems to be best option for accurate results. Curious to see if they ever come out with a magnesium tester, who knows what else is possible.