test kit for alkalinity - i need one!

jdthomas24 · 01/12/2010, 08:17 PM

ok, im new to the game and need to test ALK. i can not find a kit to test this from API. below this kit has what i need but the ALK

The kit includes tests for: Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate and Nitrate.
what is carbonate hardness? is it the same as ALK? im so confused.

thegrun · 01/12/2010, 08:19 PM

Tis the same

Chiefsurfer · 01/12/2010, 08:47 PM

I have only been using it for 2 weeks now, but I use the Tropic Marine Alk kit. It uses something very flammable to test it, but it's a single liquid test. From what I hear, api is not that good.

Chris27 · 01/12/2010, 09:08 PM

API is fine, they just don't allow you to pinpoint measurements into the decimal places like some others. The Tropic Marin one is a great one, it's relatively inexpensive and it couldn't be easier to use. I have both the API and the TM, but I prefer to use the TM, it takes less drops, so it's just a little bit quicker! You should be able to pick up either one for less then $10.

jdthomas24 · 01/12/2010, 09:57 PM

so that kit that has the calcium and all in it from API, its 28.00 bucks on ebay.

look
http://cgi.ebay.com/API-REEF-MASTER-...item3ca8a9c9f6

is this carbonate hardness the same test as Alk? i mean it probably takes more drops of something else to test but in the reality it will work?

so what all do i need to test for ?
Who makes the best test kits? i use API for PH , Ammonia, nitrite and nitrste but honestly the PH is hard to read because the color are so close together.

DC_40gallon · 01/12/2010, 10:11 PM

Yes carbonate hardness is the same as alkalinity.

01/12/2010, 08:17 PM	#1
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	test kit for alkalinity - i need one! ok, im new to the game and need to test ALK. i can not find a kit to test this from API. below this kit has what i need but the ALK The kit includes tests for: Calcium, Carbonate Hardness, Phosphate and Nitrate. what is carbonate hardness? is it the same as ALK? im so confused.

01/12/2010, 08:19 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Tis the same

01/12/2010, 08:47 PM	#3
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	I have only been using it for 2 weeks now, but I use the Tropic Marine Alk kit. It uses something very flammable to test it, but it's a single liquid test. From what I hear, api is not that good.

01/12/2010, 09:08 PM	#4
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	API is fine, they just don't allow you to pinpoint measurements into the decimal places like some others. The Tropic Marin one is a great one, it's relatively inexpensive and it couldn't be easier to use. I have both the API and the TM, but I prefer to use the TM, it takes less drops, so it's just a little bit quicker! You should be able to pick up either one for less then $10.

01/12/2010, 09:57 PM	#5
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	so that kit that has the calcium and all in it from API, its 28.00 bucks on ebay. look http://cgi.ebay.com/API-REEF-MASTER-...item3ca8a9c9f6 is this carbonate hardness the same test as Alk? i mean it probably takes more drops of something else to test but in the reality it will work? so what all do i need to test for ? Who makes the best test kits? i use API for PH , Ammonia, nitrite and nitrste but honestly the PH is hard to read because the color are so close together.

01/12/2010, 10:11 PM	#6
DC_40gallon Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,474	Yes carbonate hardness is the same as alkalinity.