Salifer dKh test kit?

gibson981 · 08/26/2009, 10:48 PM

I've read some bad reviews on this test kit. I thought Salifert was always among the best. What other dKh test kits are good?

sedor · 08/26/2009, 11:08 PM

The Alk test has come a long way. They did have some problems a little while ago, but as far as we know everything is fixed. The kits even come with a test solution so you can make sure its working properly. I personally just like salifert a lot, but then again i've never Elos or the other higher end brands.

DevilBoy · 08/26/2009, 11:27 PM

i prefer Elos over Salifert. its just my preference they both seem to cost the same.

LUVSPS · 08/27/2009, 12:15 AM

A little bit of a hyjack here but...how does one use the test solution on the Salifert Alk kit? It does not say in the instructions and I can't figure it out. What am I supposed to do with it? Thanks!

surge19us · 08/27/2009, 08:31 AM

You draw the 4ml sample from the standard solution and run the test. The dkh should be whats listed on the sample bottle or very close allowing for some testing error.

LUVSPS · 08/27/2009, 09:20 AM

Thanks, surge! I can't believe I couldn't figure that out it's so simple! lol

alan.reef · 08/27/2009, 11:08 AM

First time post in reef central. I have purchase Salifert KH/ALK about 5 month ago at LFS still don't know how to use it. I follow every step show in the instruction sheet. Every time i test my saltwater it just not work. i bring back this test kit to my LFS after 2 days purchase and ask them how to use it, they even didn't know use it! They tell me to do research my self. The problem was after i draw all the KH reagent into the test vital it doesn't change the colour! And what is this ALK check solution? How to use please advise?

katpurdy · 08/27/2009, 12:13 PM

if the color isn't changing, then the odds are that your alk level is below the charts!! Can you tell us more about your tank, the age etc and if you add anything to it on a regular basis? What salt brand are you using? Consider taking a water sample to a LFS and asking them to run tests on it...

Hammsreefbeer · 08/27/2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alan.reef
First time post in reef central. I have purchase Salifert KH/ALK about 5 month ago at LFS still don't know how to use it. I follow every step show in the instruction sheet. Every time i test my saltwater it just not work. i bring back this test kit to my LFS after 2 days purchase and ask them how to use it, they even didn't know use it! They tell me to do research my self. The problem was after i draw all the KH reagent into the test vital it doesn't change the colour! And what is this ALK check solution? How to use please advise?

Maybe you should use the API test kits until your more familiar w/ using test kits.there allot easier to use,just count the drops.JMO

Amoore311 · 08/27/2009, 02:20 PM

Your DKH could be too High as well.

phil519 · 08/27/2009, 02:28 PM

I don't like the salifert - maybe it's changed per ryandlf - but i decided on getting a LaMotte ALK kit. Great kit - easy to use.

I have no exp with Elos...will try that one next I guess!

iFisch · 08/27/2009, 03:36 PM

Salifert - bought the Alk kit. Didn't use it but 3 times before the numbering on the 1ml syringe started to rub off. Took it back where I bought it, and the owner did a quick swipe and some more numbers came off. It's like it was fresh paint - weired.

Exchanged for Elos - I have the "big 3" in Elos + Elos pH.

When my bottles become empty, I will be switching over to Lamotte. LFS has 4 test kits (Alk/P04/N03/Ca)

Peter Eichler · 08/27/2009, 04:08 PM

I like the API, it's essentially the same reagent as Elos and other alkalinity test kits but it's far cheaper. 2 of my last 3 Salifert akalinity test kits were bad and the customer support is vasically nonexistent now. I also was a Lamotte user years ago and they're really no better than most hobby grade kits. In fact the Lamotte calcium test is consistently low from what I've observed. Test kits are one of those things in the hobby that more expensive often doesn't mean better.

iFisch · 08/27/2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Eichler
I like the API, it's essentially the same reagent as Elos and other alkalinity test kits but it's far cheaper. 2 of my last 3 Salifert akalinity test kits were bad and the customer support is vasically nonexistent now. I also was a Lamotte user years ago and they're really no better than most hobby grade kits. In fact the Lamotte calcium test is consistently low from what I've observed. Test kits are one of those things in the hobby that more expensive often doesn't mean better.

I support Elos, because they have customer service, and they have a dedicated forum here. So if I have any questions - I can talk to Jesse or Chris.

aquaman67 · 08/27/2009, 04:45 PM

alan.reef

To Reef Central

It sounds like you are using the test kit right but your Alk is over what it can measure with one syringe.

Do the test again and use a second syringe full. There is a formula to calculate your actual Alk in the instructions.

alan.reef · 11/01/2009, 01:42 PM

thanks for advise. age of tank 2year 10month mix reef. The first year just FOWLR.125g show tank top with 65g dwarf sea horse tank below and Diy 45g refugium. Dosing bulkreefsupply 2part, 100ml calcium and alk daily. monday dose 30ml nitromax. wednesday dose 20ml kent essential element. thurs dose 20ml kent coral vite. friday dose 20ml kent strontium&mloybdeum. 1 drop kent LUGOL daily. Water change every 2week 30g with 1teaspoon KENT superbuffer-DKH. Salt use REEFCRYSTAL.
parameter.
Specific gravity 1.025
PH 8.4 API
Phosphate 0.5ppm API
Ammonia 0ppm API
Nitrite 0ppm API
Nitrate 30-40ppm API
KH 14DKH API
KH/ALK 16DKH SALIFERT
Calcium 410ppm SALIFERT
Magnesium1200ppm SALIFERT
Lighting MH 2x250w 20000k ushio. lumatek electronic ballast. PC 4x65w actinicblue.on 125g tank.
Nova extreme 4x54w T-5.on 65g tank.
Skimmer zero doc lrg purchase at ebay with supreme HY-Drive pump 3200.

08/26/2009, 10:48 PM	#1
gibson981 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: west side of Indianapolis Posts: 451	Salifer dKh test kit? I've read some bad reviews on this test kit. I thought Salifert was always among the best. What other dKh test kits are good? __________________ Gerald Current Tank Info: 90g, built in overflow, 2 Reeflux 20k 250w, 2 Ice Cap 250w elec ballasts, 2 Hydor Koralia's 3 and 2, 29g sump, RIO 3100 return, AquaC EV180 w/Mag 9, GEO 612 Ca Reactor, 85# live rock (half Fiji, half Kalieni), 180# live sand.

08/26/2009, 11:08 PM	#2
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	The Alk test has come a long way. They did have some problems a little while ago, but as far as we know everything is fixed. The kits even come with a test solution so you can make sure its working properly. I personally just like salifert a lot, but then again i've never Elos or the other higher end brands. __________________ Ryan

08/27/2009, 12:15 AM	#4
LUVSPS Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington state Posts: 583	A little bit of a hyjack here but...how does one use the test solution on the Salifert Alk kit? It does not say in the instructions and I can't figure it out. What am I supposed to do with it? Thanks! __________________ "The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four people is suffering from a mental illness. Look at your 3 best friends. If they're ok, then it's you." — Rita Mae Brown Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef in the works. 2 400w MH in Lumenarc reflectors. 2 Vortechs. Warner Marine S-200 skimmer. Lifereef sump/refuge. TLF Phosban reactor. 110lbs dried Eco rocks.

08/27/2009, 08:31 AM	#5
surge19us Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Willard, Oh Posts: 656	You draw the 4ml sample from the standard solution and run the test. The dkh should be whats listed on the sample bottle or very close allowing for some testing error. __________________ Sean Current Tank Info: 120 gal 30 gal sump/fuge, ATB Econo 840 skimmer, 2 Vortech MP40w, AC Jr., 2-250watt MH 20K Radiums, Lumen Max 2 reflectors, 2 tek T5 retro actinic, Prime chiller, ATO/kalk reactor, drews dosers on two part.

08/27/2009, 09:20 AM	#6
LUVSPS Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Washington state Posts: 583	Thanks, surge! I can't believe I couldn't figure that out it's so simple! lol __________________ "The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four people is suffering from a mental illness. Look at your 3 best friends. If they're ok, then it's you." — Rita Mae Brown Current Tank Info: 120g SPS reef in the works. 2 400w MH in Lumenarc reflectors. 2 Vortechs. Warner Marine S-200 skimmer. Lifereef sump/refuge. TLF Phosban reactor. 110lbs dried Eco rocks.

08/26/2009, 11:27 PM	#3
DevilBoy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Wooster, Ohio Posts: 1,724	i prefer Elos over Salifert. its just my preference they both seem to cost the same.

08/27/2009, 11:08 AM	#7
alan.reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: new york Posts: 114	First time post in reef central. I have purchase Salifert KH/ALK about 5 month ago at LFS still don't know how to use it. I follow every step show in the instruction sheet. Every time i test my saltwater it just not work. i bring back this test kit to my LFS after 2 days purchase and ask them how to use it, they even didn't know use it! They tell me to do research my self. The problem was after i draw all the KH reagent into the test vital it doesn't change the colour! And what is this ALK check solution? How to use please advise?

08/27/2009, 12:13 PM	#8
katpurdy Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Halifax,Nova Scotia Posts: 492	if the color isn't changing, then the odds are that your alk level is below the charts!! Can you tell us more about your tank, the age etc and if you add anything to it on a regular basis? What salt brand are you using? Consider taking a water sample to a LFS and asking them to run tests on it... __________________ 55G tall mixed reef 30G sump,2x250W10K SPS+ 2 VHO super actinic,CsS220, 130FOWLR 60Gsump. 20g long with 10g sump mixed reef Current Tank Info: 55g tall sps dominant, 30g sump css220, 2x 250W xm10k MH plus 2x 96W VHO actinic 130g FOWLR, 60g sump

08/27/2009, 02:20 PM	#10
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Your DKH could be too High as well. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

08/27/2009, 02:28 PM	#11
phil519 Got Rotifers? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,760	I don't like the salifert - maybe it's changed per ryandlf - but i decided on getting a LaMotte ALK kit. Great kit - easy to use. I have no exp with Elos...will try that one next I guess! __________________ Phil NJ reefers club Current Tank Info: 120 RR Mixed Reef, Custom 40G sump, started Nov 2008. "Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

08/27/2009, 03:36 PM	#12
iFisch Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: FL Posts: 3,068	Salifert - bought the Alk kit. Didn't use it but 3 times before the numbering on the 1ml syringe started to rub off. Took it back where I bought it, and the owner did a quick swipe and some more numbers came off. It's like it was fresh paint - weired. Exchanged for Elos - I have the "big 3" in Elos + Elos pH. When my bottles become empty, I will be switching over to Lamotte. LFS has 4 test kits (Alk/P04/N03/Ca)

08/27/2009, 04:08 PM	#13
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I like the API, it's essentially the same reagent as Elos and other alkalinity test kits but it's far cheaper. 2 of my last 3 Salifert akalinity test kits were bad and the customer support is vasically nonexistent now. I also was a Lamotte user years ago and they're really no better than most hobby grade kits. In fact the Lamotte calcium test is consistently low from what I've observed. Test kits are one of those things in the hobby that more expensive often doesn't mean better. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

08/27/2009, 04:45 PM	#15
aquaman67 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 7,629	alan.reef *To Reef Central* It sounds like you are using the test kit right but your Alk is over what it can measure with one syringe. Do the test again and use a second syringe full. There is a formula to calculate your actual Alk in the instructions.

11/01/2009, 01:42 PM	#16
alan.reef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: new york Posts: 114	thanks for advise. age of tank 2year 10month mix reef. The first year just FOWLR.125g show tank top with 65g dwarf sea horse tank below and Diy 45g refugium. Dosing bulkreefsupply 2part, 100ml calcium and alk daily. monday dose 30ml nitromax. wednesday dose 20ml kent essential element. thurs dose 20ml kent coral vite. friday dose 20ml kent strontium&mloybdeum. 1 drop kent LUGOL daily. Water change every 2week 30g with 1teaspoon KENT superbuffer-DKH. Salt use REEFCRYSTAL. parameter. Specific gravity 1.025 PH 8.4 API Phosphate 0.5ppm API Ammonia 0ppm API Nitrite 0ppm API Nitrate 30-40ppm API KH 14DKH API KH/ALK 16DKH SALIFERT Calcium 410ppm SALIFERT Magnesium1200ppm SALIFERT Lighting MH 2x250w 20000k ushio. lumatek electronic ballast. PC 4x65w actinicblue.on 125g tank. Nova extreme 4x54w T-5.on 65g tank. Skimmer zero doc lrg purchase at ebay with supreme HY-Drive pump 3200.