What do you use to check Alkalinity?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 16, 2023

SauceyReef said:
Is there really any difference in terms of reputability or accuracy between a Hanna Alkalinity tester, and Red Sea one? I am hoping I can figure out how to get my current one working fine. I guess I will try a new reagent again, slightly swirl the reagent, and see if this does it. If not I have to buy something else because I see no other way to fix the current Hanna device after this troubleshooting.

The Red Sea works well.

Experimental testing of Brightwell Boost pH +

The fact that the expected alk boost from a 0.1 pH unit rise using hydroxide is going to be hard to reliably detect is why I wanted to push the addition at least as high as the directions permit, and is also why I want to test hydroxide doing the same pH boost.

www.reef2reef.com

SauceyReef · Dec 16, 2023

Just got home a little bit ago. I re-did the test on a new batch of saltwater I made yesterday, and made sure I did everything right - cleaning the glass, slightly shaking the reagent, etc. The reading again came out at 30.

dadnjesse · Dec 16, 2023

SauceyReef said:
Just got home a little bit ago. I re-did the test on a new batch of saltwater I made yesterday, and made sure I did everything right - cleaning the glass, slightly shaking the reagent, etc. The reading again came out at 30.

What are you using to check the Salinity of the new water?

SauceyReef · Dec 17, 2023

dadnjesse said:
What are you using to check the Salinity of the new water?

Milwaukee digital salinity reader. I periodically calibrate it, and got it checked from my friends Hanna digital salt reader.

When you get the reading from the Hanna Alk Tester - do you have to convert it at all? Or it reads straight to DKH.

EricR · Dec 17, 2023

SauceyReef said:
When you get the reading from the Hanna Alk Tester - do you have to convert it at all? Or it reads straight to DKH.

Hanna sells different models that read in different units but they do sell one that reads in dKH -- that's what I use.

ThaBeast · Dec 17, 2023

I've used the hanna alkalinity checker for a long time. This year I started noticing inconsistent readings. I shake my reagent & store it in the fridge. Honestly not confident in the checker any longer, I can get repeatable results with salifert test so usually just use the salifert test now

NCsalt · Dec 17, 2023

I’m on my second kit of Salifert. Simple quick consistent.

jason2459 · Dec 17, 2023

I'm happy with API for this. Close enough, quick, cheap.

Reeferbadness · Dec 17, 2023

SauceyReef said:
That makes me feel better. I don't think it said anywhere in the instructions to shake the reagent, just to shake the little glass vile 5 times before doing the test.

Just to double check also when you're ready to get the alk number at the end you are just supposed to click the button, right? Some of the other Hannas you hold the button and it counts down a timer than gives you a reading. I have always thought it strange the Alk. one doesn't say to do this in the instructions.

Ya, with Alk checker, just push button.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 17, 2023

All the Hanna requires is an acid base reaction, which are among the fastest chemical reactions known. As fast as you can mix it in. the reaction is complete.

Other test methods, such as calcium or nitrate, require other chemical steps to be taking place to allow proper color development, and thus can be slower.

EricR · Dec 17, 2023

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
All the Hanna requires is an acid base reaction, which are among the fastest chemical reactions known. As fast as you can mix it in. the reaction is complete.

Other test methods, such as calcium or nitrate, require other chemical steps to be taking place to allow proper color development, and thus can be slower.

Randy, your thoughts please on the Hanna acid base reagent in regards to the following:
- Any point in mixing it or is there no reason to expect any type of separation to occur?
- Is there any chemical explanation as to why many of us refrigerate and "feel" like it causes the test results to remain consistent over longer periods of time (than without refrigeration)?

SauceyReef · Dec 17, 2023

EricR said:
Hanna sells different models that read in different units but they do sell one that reads in dKH -- that's what I use.

Ahhh I did not even notice this. I have the PPM one, not the DKH one. Why would they not just make one unit that reads in DKH?! Maybe I have an old one before they switched to DKH? I think this thing is 10-15 years old. May be time for a new one lol..

ThaBeast · Dec 17, 2023

SauceyReef said:
Ahhh I did not even notice this. I have the PPM one, not the DKH one. Why would they not just make one unit that reads in DKH?! Maybe I have an old one before they switched to DKH? I think this thing is 10-15 years old. May be time for a new one lol..

my first was in ppm, dkh unit came much later

McPuff · Dec 18, 2023

I used Salifert for years and it was very easy. Consistent too.

Now I use KH director to test it twice daily for me. It's much easier but not nearly as cheap. But now I can control alk from around the world... peace of mind.

SauceyReef · Dec 18, 2023

McPuff said:
I used Salifert for years and it was very easy. Consistent too.

Now I use KH director to test it twice daily for me. It's much easier but not nearly as cheap. But now I can control alk from around the world... peace of mind.

Do you mean because you have an auto-doser?

McPuff · Dec 18, 2023

SauceyReef said:
Do you mean because you have an auto-doser?

Yes, with the KH Director I can also regulate my dosing (technically the doser2.0). It has been a nice change.

Spare time · Dec 18, 2023

Salifert is the best cheap one. I use the red sea pro alk test.

bozo · Dec 21, 2023

rtparty said:
Trident for auto testing. Salifert for manual testing and when I’m really not in the mood, those little 5 in 1 test strips. It gets me plenty close to see if my Trident is reading oddly.

Can you link the test strips?

Thanks

SauceyReef · Dec 21, 2023

Picking up a used DKH Hanna today from a local reefer. Hopefully with a new reagent and battery I start getting back to accurate readings.

rtparty · Dec 21, 2023

bozoreefer said:
Can you link the test strips?

Thanks

I use these. When you understand that we’re not looking for total precision and just a quick, close enough check, they work wonderfully IMO

Aquavital Marine Test 5-in-1

Vital water parameters, at a glance! The Aquavital Marine Test 5-in-1 offers 1 minute test results on five of the most important parameters in your aquarium. Sometimes you don’t have 10 minutes to sit around and open bottles of reagents and go drop by drop, test by test. Even experienced...

www.bulkreefsupply.com