Pretty sure these test kits are bad....

[Carter o51]

Tested my water today with salifert calcium and alkalinity kits. The calcium read 350 and the alk read 4.5 dKH....4.5! I've been dosing 2 part on my 15 gallon tank due to some low alk/calcium readings but I really don't see how a reading of 4.5 is even possible with corals doing well with a pretty low bioload and dosing. The kits arent expired yet (one in 2017 and one in 2018). Im thinking I need to buy some new kits because Im suspecting a bad test? I've been doing ~30% water changes once or twice a week and I don't see how a reading that low could be possible. Any advice?

 

[splix]

You sure you're doing the alk kit right? It's 4 ML of water, not 5. Make sure you're reading the directions exactly.

I love salifert kits, they've never been off for me.

 

[pa1ntbru5h]

Before you throw them out, test the new saltwater before you do the water change. If your new saltwater is within range of the manufacturer's specs then it could be possible your tank is really that far off.

Other thing to try is.. make sure you're reading the syringe correctly. For salifert, the directions say to take the reading directly off the syringe. Not the amount you used up!! So if the black plunger is at 0.4ml, look up 0.4ml on the chart, NOT 0.6 ml.

 

[Carter o51]

I've been following the directions exactly but I'll try the suggestion about new saltwater. Thanks!

 

[Carter o51]

Also to note, I tested the standard solution provided as well and it about 2 dKH off

 

[pa1ntbru5h]

Also to note, I tested the standard solution provided as well and it about 2 dKH off

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to treat the syringe like a flu shot, don't invert it and try to get rid of the air bubble. The black plunger should draw up to 1mL. There will be an air bubble. It accounts for the syringe tip.

 

[Carter o51]

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don't want to treat the syringe like a flu shot, don't invert it and try to get rid of the air bubble. The black plunger should draw up to 1mL. There will be an air bubble. It accounts for the syringe tip.

Ya I didn't do that either. Something about the the kit is off. Going to grab a new one tomorrow and try it out

 

[Carter o51]

Bought new test kits today. Alk read 7.7 dKH. So looks like a bad or old test kit. That's a relief