dKH Testing API vs Hanna

[DraggingTail]

So, thought I was keeping my dKH at 10 using the API KH Test kit.

However, Hanna, after testing twice gave me 8.3.

Can that be right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, it can be correct. Hobby testing is, unfortunately, not a precisely accurate science.

 

[DraggingTail]

Yes, it can be correct. Hobby testing is, unfortunately, not a precisely accurate science.

Now, the question is, should I raise it to 10? I feed heavily to keep my nutrients up. The thinking being higher nutrients and alk = faster growth, better colors.

Keep in mind everything is fine currently.

 

[FactoryKTMmotocross46]

You can send in an icp test to compare with your kit readings.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

I would caution against raising your alk.

I did such a thing and it was great for a while. When my nutrients plummeted and with my high alk , my sps bleached . Everything got stressed

I maintain my alk between 7-8 ...no higher than 8.5

 

[dwest]

Now, the question is, should I raise it to 10? I feed heavily to keep my nutrients up. The thinking being higher nutrients and alk = faster growth, better colors.

Keep in mind everything is fine currently.

I think your tank is doing great. I would keep alkalinity where it is.

 

[DraggingTail]

You can send in an icp test to compare with your kit readings.

Where do you send those?

 

[FactoryKTMmotocross46]

I use the ATI test from Amazon. Its $44.95 shipping included. It goes to Europe so it takes about 2 weeks to get the results. There are a few companies based in the USA now but I'm not sure if they check the KH. It's worth looking into.

 

[Mz. Fix It]

Where do you send those?

Triton also has testing. I send off my samples quarterly, or when I feel the need for one reason or the other. They do report levels for cal, alk, etc plus tons of more details. My LFS despises these companies doing this saying it can't be accurate due to the time lapse of shipping it to them. However, I use it because I get great detailed information about my tank, clear and precise explanations about those levels and what to do if I want to change it. Historically Triton had you mail the test vials to CA then they would forward them overseas for the actual testing. This added time to the process but I got my results within a week so I felt the turn around was sufficient. However, thankfully Triton has opened up a lab at their CA location AND now pays the shipping cost to get it there. My first one going to the CA lab had my results up on the web in 3 days. Granted I had an older kit and sent mine priority mail at my expense so it got there in 2 days and they tested and gave me results on day 3. With the new kits that they pay for shipping I am not sure of the shipping speed but I feel with the turn around time I've gotten so far it would only add 1 or 2 more days even with slower shipping methods.

I started this journey with the plan to run the Triton method on my tank.....and I do love their products, testing and wealth of information provided by their company.....but I ended up setting up an AWC system afterall because each tests results so far have stated I need to do water changes for the next 3 weeks to bring "x" into line with my parameters. Usually it's "tin" in my scenario & I'm clueless where said tin is coming into my tank somehow.....but now that I have an AWC system I just do it regardless.

I digressed there with my Triton data....but my point being is that Triton testing is good and fast turn around.

 

[homer1475]

Since the API kit measures in whole DKH numbers(7, 8, 9), and the salifert measures in .3DKH(7.0, 7.4, 7.7). I would think your well within the limits of both kits.

 

[DraggingTail]

Triton also has testing. I send off my samples quarterly, or when I feel the need for one reason or the other. They do report levels for cal, alk, etc plus tons of more details. My LFS despises these companies doing this saying it can't be accurate due to the time lapse of shipping it to them. However, I use it because I get great detailed information about my tank, clear and precise explanations about those levels and what to do if I want to change it. Historically Triton had you mail the test vials to CA then they would forward them overseas for the actual testing. This added time to the process but I got my results within a week so I felt the turn around was sufficient. However, thankfully Triton has opened up a lab at their CA location AND now pays the shipping cost to get it there. My first one going to the CA lab had my results up on the web in 3 days. Granted I had an older kit and sent mine priority mail at my expense so it got there in 2 days and they tested and gave me results on day 3. With the new kits that they pay for shipping I am not sure of the shipping speed but I feel with the turn around time I've gotten so far it would only add 1 or 2 more days even with slower shipping methods.

I started this journey with the plan to run the Triton method on my tank.....and I do love their products, testing and wealth of information provided by their company.....but I ended up setting up an AWC system afterall because each tests results so far have stated I need to do water changes for the next 3 weeks to bring "x" into line with my parameters. Usually it's "tin" in my scenario & I'm clueless where said tin is coming into my tank somehow.....but now that I have an AWC system I just do it regardless.

I digressed there with my Triton data....but my point being is that Triton testing is good and fast turn around.

Seems way easier to send it to a local water lab where you test well water

 

[Waynerock]

I would keep it where it is. Everything looks good. Get you a Hanna it is the best 50 you can spend in this hobby. If you wanna raise it still go SLOW. Your tank seems to be happy don’t tick it off

 

[Viking_Reefing]

If it’s not broke don’t mess with it.
8,3 is a lot less risky than keeping it at 10 so I would sit tight if I were you.

 

[X-37B]

Well my Hanna reads 8.
My Elos reads 8 and my salifert reads 7.3.
Salifert has always been .5 or more lower for 3 years.
Hanna has a standard that is always within range.
My alk range was 7.5-8.5 for a long time. I am now running 7.5-8.
My Carx keeps it very steady within .2 easily on my system.
Make sure you take your readings at the same time. When I dosed 2 part, all at once, my dkh was .8 higher after the add and was back to my original point in 24 hours.
Your dkh is fine.
I would pick a range and stay within it for stability.
If you change dkh do it slowly as in .5dkh a day imo.

 

[Miller535]

I would trust hanna alk test over API any day of the week. With that said, I think your current alk is what your tank likes, so why change it?

 

[Bryknicks]

I would stick with the hanna and keep the alk where you have it. The colors are better with lower alk unless you run a high nutrient system. The tank looks good so I wouldn't change anything.

 

[DraggingTail]

Thanks everyone

 

[saltyhog]

Triton also has testing. I send off my samples quarterly, or when I feel the need for one reason or the other. They do report levels for cal, alk, etc plus tons of more details. My LFS despises these companies doing this saying it can't be accurate due to the time lapse of shipping it to them. However, I use it because I get great detailed information about my tank, clear and precise explanations about those levels and what to do if I want to change it. Historically Triton had you mail the test vials to CA then they would forward them overseas for the actual testing. This added time to the process but I got my results within a week so I felt the turn around was sufficient. However, thankfully Triton has opened up a lab at their CA location AND now pays the shipping cost to get it there. My first one going to the CA lab had my results up on the web in 3 days. Granted I had an older kit and sent mine priority mail at my expense so it got there in 2 days and they tested and gave me results on day 3. With the new kits that they pay for shipping I am not sure of the shipping speed but I feel with the turn around time I've gotten so far it would only add 1 or 2 more days even with slower shipping methods.

I started this journey with the plan to run the Triton method on my tank.....and I do love their products, testing and wealth of information provided by their company.....but I ended up setting up an AWC system afterall because each tests results so far have stated I need to do water changes for the next 3 weeks to bring "x" into line with my parameters. Usually it's "tin" in my scenario & I'm clueless where said tin is coming into my tank somehow.....but now that I have an AWC system I just do it regardless.

I digressed there with my Triton data....but my point being is that Triton testing is good and fast turn around.

Triton doesn't test for dKh(alkalinity) or at least they didn't the last time I used them unless you order the separate N-DOC test which doubles the price.

 

[DraggingTail]

Triton doesn't test for dKh(alkalinity) or at least they didn't the last time I used them unless you order the separate N-DOC test which doubles the price.

That's sucks. I just ordered a test kit.