Alkalinity testing question.

silly400 · 05/14/2011, 12:40 AM

I'm new to saltwater tanks and I'm trying to get this right. I have an Instant Ocean master test kit and I'm trying to test my alkalinity but I'm a little confused. The instructions say continue adding the reagent drops until sample color turns to yellow-green. I tried it and the sample will go from blue to yellow but after about 40 drops it never turned green. Am I suppose to stop when it turns yellow or continue adding until it turns green? I beginning to think it could turn yellow or green after blue. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance.

Rockys_Pride · 05/14/2011, 01:08 AM

Its a titration, try gently swirling the chemicals to mix them together. And get a better test kit when you can

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silly400 · 05/14/2011, 01:15 AM

I understand what it's called but am I suppose to continue adding drops until the solution is yellow or green? And what testing kit would you recommend?

snorvich · 05/14/2011, 05:11 AM

I would recommend Elos. High quality, easy to use, repeatable results.

sjwitt · 05/14/2011, 05:34 AM

Stop counting when it turns either yellow or green or a yellowish green.

Yeah, they aren't the best 'writers' ... those who write the instructions for the test kits that is.

silly400 · 05/14/2011, 05:48 AM

Thanks for clearing that up for me sjwitt. The instructions weren't very clear. Snorvich I will definitely look into the Elos test kit. Thanks everyone for the info.

Palting · 05/14/2011, 09:45 AM

I like Sallfert test kits for pretty much everything. I use the alk test frequently. Instantaneous change in color from one drop to the next, from blue to pink. You can not miss it.

zachfishman · 05/14/2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

I like Sallfert test kits for pretty much everything. I use the alk test frequently. Instantaneous change in color from one drop to the next, from blue to pink. You can not miss it.

How do you like the pH salifert test? I think I might return mine, the color cards are disappointing and I think it is not accurate enough.

Palting · 05/14/2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachfishman

How do you like the pH salifert test? I think I might return mine, the color cards are disappointing and I think it is not accurate enough.

I guess I misspoke, heheh. I do not use the Salifert pH kit. I use Salifert for Alk, Calcium, Phos, and Mag. I use the IO Reefmaster for the pH. It has solid colored plastic chips rather than the printed paper color chart. Much better color comparison.

shifty51008 · 05/14/2011, 10:40 AM

i used to use salifert for all my testing for cal. mag, and alk but now I switched to elos as they seem to be in stock more often than salifert around my area. I loved both so I can't say which was better. but before I used API and never had a problem with them either I just needed a more accurate test for dosing vodka.

05/14/2011, 12:40 AM	#1
silly400 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	Alkalinity testing question. I'm new to saltwater tanks and I'm trying to get this right. I have an Instant Ocean master test kit and I'm trying to test my alkalinity but I'm a little confused. The instructions say continue adding the reagent drops until sample color turns to yellow-green. I tried it and the sample will go from blue to yellow but after about 40 drops it never turned green. Am I suppose to stop when it turns yellow or continue adding until it turns green? I beginning to think it could turn yellow or green after blue. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance. Last edited by silly400; 05/14/2011 at 12:41 AM. Reason: Spelling corrections

05/14/2011, 05:11 AM	#4
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	I would recommend Elos. High quality, easy to use, repeatable results. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/14/2011, 09:45 AM	#7
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I like Sallfert test kits for pretty much everything. I use the alk test frequently. Instantaneous change in color from one drop to the next, from blue to pink. You can not miss it. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

05/14/2011, 10:40 AM	#10
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	i used to use salifert for all my testing for cal. mag, and alk but now I switched to elos as they seem to be in stock more often than salifert around my area. I loved both so I can't say which was better. but before I used API and never had a problem with them either I just needed a more accurate test for dosing vodka. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

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05/14/2011, 01:08 AM	#2
Rockys_Pride Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: colorado Posts: 490	Its a titration, try gently swirling the chemicals to mix them together. And get a better test kit when you can Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

05/14/2011, 01:15 AM	#3
silly400 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	I understand what it's called but am I suppose to continue adding drops until the solution is yellow or green? And what testing kit would you recommend?

05/14/2011, 05:34 AM	#5
sjwitt Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA, East Coast Posts: 896	Stop counting when it turns either yellow or green or a yellowish green. Yeah, they aren't the best 'writers' ... those who write the instructions for the test kits that is.

05/14/2011, 05:48 AM	#6
silly400 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 10	Thanks for clearing that up for me sjwitt. The instructions weren't very clear. Snorvich I will definitely look into the Elos test kit. Thanks everyone for the info.