Urgent: Salifert KH Reagent Composition

[IonicBond]

Does anyone know what the KH reagent (red top liquid) in the Salifert Alkalinity test is composed of? I'm thinking some kind of acid? No markings or MSDS to be found, and it's 10:30 pm in Holland.

I accidentally shot some in my aquarium absentmindedly (running several test and thought it was leftover aquarium water). Clearly this calls for a need in my disposal practices. Bad habit.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

An alk test like this has two ingredients: an indicator dye and acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric).

neither is a big problem to get a bit in a tank.

 

[IonicBond]

An alk test like this has two ingredients: an indicator dye and acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric).

neither is a big problem to get a bit in a tank.

Thank you!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Happy Reefing.

 

[Harold999]

An alk test like this has two ingredients: an indicator dye and acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric).

neither is a big problem to get a bit in a tank.

What do you think is most likely, hcl or sulfuric? I smelled the bottle but don't smell anything, so it's probably a very weak solution anyway. 3% or so.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What do you think is most likely, hcl or sulfuric? I smelled the bottle but don't smell anything, so it's probably a very weak solution anyway. 3% or so.

It makes no difference for an alk test, and neither smells much when dilute, but sulfuric won't smell even when fairly strong while HCl does.

 

[Harold999]

It makes no difference for an alk test, and neither smells much when dilute, but sulfuric won't smell even when fairly strong while HCl does.

Indeed, i tried phosphoric acid and works fine.
Now i'm looking for a dye that turns from green (in a base environment) to pink (in an acidic environment), so i can make my own KH reagents for the Mastertronic.
I looked in science tables but can't find the dye with that color.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Indeed, i tried phosphoric acid and works fine.
Now i'm looking for a dye that turns from green (in a base environment) to pink (in an acidic environment), so i can make my own KH reagents for the Mastertronic.
I looked in science tables but can't find the dye with that color.

Many titrations use a mix of dyes.

The Hach alk kit, for example uses a mix of bromcresol green and methyl red.

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[Smallslandreefer]

An alk test like this has two ingredients: an indicator dye and acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric).

neither is a big problem to get a bit in a tank.

Sorry to bring this thread up again. But my Godson dropped half the reagent KH bottle in my newly mixed salt water for my waterchange. It was the Kh bottle not the ink one. Should i dispose of the new salt mix 53 liters or is it ok to used

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sorry to bring this thread up again. But my Godson dropped half the reagent KH bottle in my newly mixed salt water for my waterchange. It was the Kh bottle not the ink one. Should i dispose of the new salt mix 53 liters or is it ok to used

It is fine. The drop in alk will be very small and nothing else is a concern.