SeaChen Alk test way off!

Stlouphil · 12/06/2006, 09:41 PM

Testing with SeaChem's ALK test over the last 3 daysI was getting readings between 8-10 meg/L. Ouch. All set to get home tonight and institute massive water changes to get alk into normal range. Stopped by LFS and thought "Maybe, just maybe my SeaChem test kit is off". I picked up a Salifert ALK test kit. Ran two tests and got 4.23 meg/L both times. What do you think about that? My CA is 420 and my Ph is 8.4! Well........................maybe. Those were SeaChem test also.

jsc4354 · 12/06/2006, 10:28 PM

Try the SeaChem forum under the Vendors section. They may be able to help you out. I also use seachem test kits and I normally have to run the alk test 2 or 3 times to make sure I got the correct results.

John C.

cayars · 12/06/2006, 10:41 PM

Take a water sample to the lfs and have them check it for you hopefully with a 3rd brand test kit and see where that stands. Sort of a tie breaker.

Im14abeer · 12/07/2006, 01:32 AM

I don't know about you, but I have a very hard time reading the SeaChem Alk test. I have good eyesight, but I have to put it against a sheet of white paper, in very bright light to discern the color. And even then, I always feel like I'm guessing.

Stlouphil · 12/07/2006, 08:35 AM

Tested this morning. Seachem 8.0 meg/l, Salifert 4.23 meg/l. Wierd. I will test new IO water tonight.

jsc4354 · 12/07/2006, 09:07 AM

Stlouphil,
I tested my alk last night 3 times twice the results were 5.0 meg/l and once 4.5 meg/l. I suspect the test kit as being the problem. I would do one of two things or both if possible. Like mentioned before take a sample to your LFS and have them test it to compare. Also, the seachem test kit should have come with a reference sample use it to confirm the test kit is working properly. I have not had to use it before. So, I cannot tell you how to use it but it should be the same as when you test the water. Do you still have the instructions?

John C.

jsc4354 · 12/07/2006, 09:18 AM

Im14abeer, you're preaching to the choir. I find the alk test easier to read than ph. Since you just take the number of drops and divide by two. While the ph test you have to match the color which always seems to be between two numbers on the chart (i.e. 8.1-8.2)

John C.

RichConley · 12/07/2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stlouphil
Tested this morning. Seachem 8.0 meg/l, Salifert 4.23 meg/l. Wierd. I will test new IO water tonight.

Are you sure its not 8 dkH?

Stlouphil · 12/07/2006, 10:50 AM

Positive. SeaChem measures in mg/l....drops/2.

kelley_mc · 12/07/2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stlouphil
Positive. SeaChem measures in mg/l....drops/2.

Just to confirm, you are adding 16 drops to get 8 meg/L reading, right?

I also use this test and I almost fell on the floor when I thought my Alk was 12 meg/L. After reading the instructions better, I realized that 1 drop equals 0.5 meg/L.

The reason I ask is because you said "Seachem 8.0 meg/l, Salifert 4.23 meg/l." I was just thinking you were counting each drop as 1 meg/L.

Stlouphil · 12/07/2006, 12:23 PM

Correct. I am using between 16-18 drops. I am going to run both kits on fresh IO water tonight. I suspect I got a bad batch of Seachem reagent. Salifert has a great reputation I am leaning towards using Salifert kits.

Stlouphil · 12/07/2006, 07:19 PM

Akl Test results:

Salifert: SeaChem:

Tank - 4.23 meg/L Tank - 6 meg/L (Lower)
IO - 4.00 meg/L IO - 6 meg/L
Seachem ref- 4.00 meg/L Seachem ref- 8.00 meg/L

I have to come to the conclusion that either the Salifert is more accurate or I'm color blind, stupid or confused. Maybe the SeaChem test test is too difficult for theses left side of middle age eyes to interpret.

jsc4354 · 12/07/2006, 10:31 PM

Its not you something is wrong with the test. Using my seachem alk test I get a blue color for the first 6 drops the 7th drop turns it to a lime color and the 8th drop will turn it a definate yellow.

John C.

marino420td · 12/07/2006, 10:45 PM

I also use the Seachem Alk test kit and it is very easy to read. Like jsc4354, the sample turns a lime color then a definite yellow. But my alk is testing 2.5-3.0 meg/l. I just ordered a Salifert test kit because some other members suggested them.

Dejavu · 12/08/2006, 12:48 AM

have you read randy's article on seachen alk test?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...e2003/chem.htm

kelley_mc · 12/08/2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dejavu
have you read randy's article on seachen alk test?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...e2003/chem.htm

I think Randy was referring to this test...
http://www.seachem.com/products/prod...Magnesium.html

I am currently using this one....
http://www.seachem.com/products/prod...TMarinepH.html

12/06/2006, 09:41 PM	#1
Stlouphil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 393	SeaChen Alk test way off! Testing with SeaChem's ALK test over the last 3 daysI was getting readings between 8-10 meg/L. Ouch. All set to get home tonight and institute massive water changes to get alk into normal range. Stopped by LFS and thought "Maybe, just maybe my SeaChem test kit is off". I picked up a Salifert ALK test kit. Ran two tests and got 4.23 meg/L both times. What do you think about that? My CA is 420 and my Ph is 8.4! Well........................maybe. Those were SeaChem test also.

12/07/2006, 01:32 AM	#4
Im14abeer BRILLIANT! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, MI Posts: 406	I don't know about you, but I have a very hard time reading the SeaChem Alk test. I have good eyesight, but I have to put it against a sheet of white paper, in very bright light to discern the color. And even then, I always feel like I'm guessing. __________________ Veni, vidi, fishi Current Tank Info: Mixed 235 "reefin' in the corner." Reefbreeders 48 & 32. 2x Tunze 6255 on a 7096, Basement sump, Avast cs1, mag 18 return. Chaeto, kalk.

12/06/2006, 10:28 PM	#2
jsc4354 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 170	Try the SeaChem forum under the Vendors section. They may be able to help you out. I also use seachem test kits and I normally have to run the alk test 2 or 3 times to make sure I got the correct results. John C.

12/06/2006, 10:41 PM	#3
cayars Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bordentown, New Jersey Posts: 653	Take a water sample to the lfs and have them check it for you hopefully with a 3rd brand test kit and see where that stands. Sort of a tie breaker.

12/07/2006, 08:35 AM	#5
Stlouphil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 393	Tested this morning. Seachem 8.0 meg/l, Salifert 4.23 meg/l. Wierd. I will test new IO water tonight.

12/07/2006, 09:07 AM	#6
jsc4354 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 170	Stlouphil, I tested my alk last night 3 times twice the results were 5.0 meg/l and once 4.5 meg/l. I suspect the test kit as being the problem. I would do one of two things or both if possible. Like mentioned before take a sample to your LFS and have them test it to compare. Also, the seachem test kit should have come with a reference sample use it to confirm the test kit is working properly. I have not had to use it before. So, I cannot tell you how to use it but it should be the same as when you test the water. Do you still have the instructions? John C.

12/07/2006, 09:18 AM	#7
jsc4354 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 170	Im14abeer, you're preaching to the choir. I find the alk test easier to read than ph. Since you just take the number of drops and divide by two. While the ph test you have to match the color which always seems to be between two numbers on the chart (i.e. 8.1-8.2) John C.

12/07/2006, 10:50 AM	#9
Stlouphil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 393	Positive. SeaChem measures in mg/l....drops/2.

12/07/2006, 12:23 PM	#11
Stlouphil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 393	Correct. I am using between 16-18 drops. I am going to run both kits on fresh IO water tonight. I suspect I got a bad batch of Seachem reagent. Salifert has a great reputation I am leaning towards using Salifert kits.

12/07/2006, 07:19 PM	#12
Stlouphil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wildwood, MO Posts: 393	Akl Test results: Salifert: SeaChem: Tank - 4.23 meg/L Tank - 6 meg/L (Lower) IO - 4.00 meg/L IO - 6 meg/L Seachem ref- 4.00 meg/L Seachem ref- 8.00 meg/L I have to come to the conclusion that either the Salifert is more accurate or I'm color blind, stupid or confused. Maybe the SeaChem test test is too difficult for theses left side of middle age eyes to interpret.

12/07/2006, 10:31 PM	#13
jsc4354 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 170	Its not you something is wrong with the test. Using my seachem alk test I get a blue color for the first 6 drops the 7th drop turns it to a lime color and the 8th drop will turn it a definate yellow. John C.

12/07/2006, 10:45 PM	#14
marino420td Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cape Girardeau, MO Posts: 2,529	I also use the Seachem Alk test kit and it is very easy to read. Like jsc4354, the sample turns a lime color then a definite yellow. But my alk is testing 2.5-3.0 meg/l. I just ordered a Salifert test kit because some other members suggested them.

12/08/2006, 12:48 AM	#15
Dejavu ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,423	have you read randy's article on seachen alk test? http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...e2003/chem.htm