Salifert alk test kit question

[greg 45]

Not Shure if it's me or not . When I do the test with 2 ml water and two drops I get a lower reading by almost 2 dkh than if I do the test with 4 ml water and 4 drops. Anyone else have this issue . Also ran test with red sea and come up with 8.4 . Should I just purchase a LaMotte kit .

 

[skim]

Try using the Base solution test and see what you get. Salifert is usually quite accurate.

 

[Jason mack]

I've also had issues with the saliferts Alk test ... according to saliferts my alk is 11.2 dkh ,but my Colombo test says it's 8dkh

 

[skim]

I just assumed you were using Salifert. I have never heard of Colombo test. OK I just took a look at the Colombo test kits and they seem to be much like API and I would trust your Salifert before the other 2.

 

[Jason mack]

I'm gonna let my lFS test it and see what reading they get ..

 

[Jason mack]

last night I did a jbl kh test .. that said 8dkh also .. saliferts is new too me .. I've switched over because of what I've read on here .. maybe I'm doing something wrong ..

 

[skim]

The other thing about test kits. You need to chose one source of light preferably close to daylight 5500 K to 6500 K and use that source each and every time. Different light sources will give you different shades and in one source color may have changed already and in the other it say you need to still add more. I know some guys that have set up a Fluorescent daylight fixture just for testing and reading.

 

[Jason mack]

I always do my tests during daylight and stand next too a window when checking .. biggest difference is how too fill syringe with reagent... this is where I have my problems

 

[yellojello]

I never done the lower resolution on my salifer Alk, but I just reread the instructions. With 4 ml water you use 2 drops. With lower resolution 2 ml water you use 1 drop. Doh! Lol

 

[Jason mack]

I never done the lower resolution on my salifer Alk, but I just reread the instructions. With 4 ml water you use 2 drops. With lower resolution 2 ml water you use 1 drop. Doh! Lol

Are you sure ?? Mine says 4 ml water 4drops ... 2 ml water 2 drops ..low res multiply results x2 !

 

[yellojello]

I'll have to double check mine at the office. I just did quick search online. Maybe there is an older one posted.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not Shure if it's me or not . When I do the test with 2 ml water and two drops I get a lower reading by almost 2 dkh than if I do the test with 4 ml water and 4 drops. Anyone else have this issue . Also ran test with red sea and come up with 8.4 . Should I just purchase a LaMotte kit .

That cannot be anything other than measurement differences of the 2 vs 4 mL or the titrant added. In general, the Salifert alk test gives adequately accurate results for reefers.

 

[Jason mack]

Ok after watching a couple of films on you tube , I now know where I was going wrong .. new result 7.7 dkh .. saliferts ... always learning ... hahahaha !!!

 

[greg 45]

Happy I helped other / at this point I ordered a LaMotte kit will update if there is a difference . 2 dkh is to much difference to me don't know which to trust.

 

[yellojello]

I checked my current salifert, you are correct, 4 ml 4 drops. 2 ml 2 drops. Sorry :/

Just for reference, my salifert alk is pretty much spot on with my new digital Hanna Alk test kit. After my salifert is out, I think I'll stick to Hanna if they are still reading the same after more testing.