Faulty Salifert alk kits

[Calciumbuf]

This is just a heads up for everyone using Salifert alk Kits, This is not to start a rumor or to start a panic. It has been my personal experience that in the last year or so I have had 4 seperate kits give incorrect readings ( always to the high side) in each case the kit has seemed to just spontaneously at some point in its life (within the expiration period) give false readings. I'm writing this to make others aware this could potentaly set the scenario for costly livestock mistakes. If your like me and know what your tank normal runs at and test frequently you'll pick this up rather quickly. I do not normaly start threads of this nature however I feel this is a situation that people need to be aware of, Jim

 

[salt1]

my kit for ph and alkanity is red sea

my question is whats alkanity

 

[Calciumbuf]

This Link I provided will give you a detailed explanation.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/2/chemistry

 

[smithcreek]

Thanks for the heads up Jim.

By the way, how's that Elos stock you bought doing?

 

[Calciumbuf]

I happen to like the Elos kit its very simple with a sharp color change, I understand that the API and Tropic Marin kits are good as well ( from what I am told ) I quess the point of the whole matter is to frequently test so you know were your tank runs and If a out of whack reading from a test kit comes about you'll more than likely second quess it and not make an adjustment thats incorrect.

 

[MikeG]

If you can find new Salifert kits I hear they now come with a reference standard to verify the test accuracy.

 

[Calciumbuf]

The last kit I had had the reference solution with it , and yes it did pick up the kit was wrong in my case the test kit read 16dkh the reference read 12dkh and the real tank water was 9dkh verified with two alternate kits and Greg Hillers method with muratic acid and Ph probe. So the short answer is I'm not quite sure that matters.

 

[MikeG]

The last kit I had had the reference solution with it , and yes it did pick up the kit was wrong in my case the test kit read 16dkh the reference read 12dkh and the real tank water was 9dkh verified with two alternate kits and Greg Hillers method with muratic acid and Ph probe. So the short answer is I'm not quite sure that matters.

What was the reference suppose to read?

 

[Calciumbuf]

Off the top Of my head I can't remember , I see what your thinking though the differance would theoredically tell you the "true" reading. The other thing that Kinda scares me is its one of the only alk kits I have ever used with a referance provided ( food for thought )

 

[smithcreek]

What was the reference suppose to read?

If it's the same as my new kit, it's 7.5 dkh

 

[Miller]

If it's the same as my new kit, it's 7.5 dkh

I just bought one Salifert Alk test kit today and tested my Alk, it read about the same dKh as the other Alk test kit we have. I hope this kit doesn't turn out to be a waste of cash.

 

[reefsmurf]

The Seachem multikits also provide a alkalinity reference.

 

[NateHanson]

A number of off-topic posts have been removed from this thread. Please keep it about reefing.

Thanks.

 

[MikeG]

The Seachem multikits also provide a alkalinity reference.

SeaChem reef status kits do as well but they are quite expensive.

 

[MikeG]

Off the top Of my head I can't remember , I see what your thinking though the differance would theoredically tell you the "true" reading. The other thing that Kinda scares me is its one of the only alk kits I have ever used with a referance provided ( food for thought )

If it is off, it just tells you the kit is no good. I don't think it is as simple as just adding or subtracting the difference without knowing the results are linear and what the slope of that line is.

 

[Aquaman_68]

The Seachem multikits also provide a alkalinity reference.

Yeah, They are still off!!! Check with the reference & check again in three months...The new kits are junk...

I just bought one Salifert Alk test kit today and tested my Alk, it read about the same dKh as the other Alk test kit we have. I hope this kit doesn't turn out to be a waste of cash.

Bring it back to where you bought it & get a refund... Even if it's not with the lots that were supposed to be the ones at fault. Mine wasn't listed & it was off by over 2 KH.

Read this...
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=59065&highlight=salifert