Trusted Tests

[kynekke]

I ran 2 alk tests today, same batch of water, within 5 minutes of each other. Yeah I'm a dork and didn't realize Alk and KH were the same so I ran the same test twice with different kits.
Seachem's Alk Test = 4 (Alk)
API Reef Master Kit = 12 (Kh)
Not sure what to do from here... is it high or low? :notsure:

 

[earlybird]

I think your good. The chart below will help. Recommended parameters for a reef for alk is 2.5-4.0meq/L or 7-11dKH or 125-200ppm CaCO3.
Alkalinity__Alkalinity____Alkalinity_____Calcium
(meq/L)____(dKH)___(ppm CaCO3)__(ppm Ca++)
--0.0

[hr]
0.0

[hr]
0

[hr]
360
--0.5

[hr]
1.4

[hr]
25

[hr]
370
--1.0

[hr]
2.8

[hr]
50

[hr]
380
--1.5

[hr]
4.2

[hr]
75

[hr]
390
--2.0

[hr]
5.6

[hr]
100

[hr]
400
--2.5

[hr]
7.0

[hr]
125

[hr]
410
--3.0

[hr]
8.4

[hr]
150

[hr]
420
--3.5

[hr]
9.8

[hr]
175

[hr]
430
--4.0

[hr]
11.2

[hr]
200

[hr]
440
--4.5

[hr]
12.6

[hr]
225

[hr]
450
--5.0

[hr]
14.0

[hr]
250

[hr]
460
--5.5

[hr]
15.4

[hr]
275

[hr]
470
--6.0

[hr]
16.8

[hr]
300

[hr]
480
--6.5

[hr]
18.2

[hr]
325

[hr]
490
--7.0

[hr]
19.6

[hr]
350

[hr]
500

 

[lobstergrabber]

You are a little high but no issue imo. A 4 alk is an 11.2 dKH so there is a variance in your testing or methods. I think most people advise the salifert kits. I recently purchased the alk and cal and the first time I used them I know why people like them. They are easy enough to use but mostly when you get done you feel you have almost lab quality results.
Rich

 

[kynekke]

Now I really feel smart.. I didn't realize alk is measured in different ways. Guess all's well. Calcium is 460, Phos is 0... should be good to go after cycling.