Red Sea test kit

S

Seven

Has anyone had any problems with the alkalinity test kits on the Red Sea pro test kit? I'm consistently getting really low test results that are not even detectable. I did a water change?about 30 gallons on the 120 using Red Sea pro salt last week.

The tank has been setup for 6 yrs and I find that it is odd not to be detected at any level. I will use the entire 1ml syringe before it will change color. I'm going to get it tested at a LFS just to verify that I don't have a bad kit. Maybe it's just user error but it's kind of hard to mess up 10ml of tank water and 1ml of test solution and drip until you get the end color on the chart provided..
 
I know test kits can be tricky some times. I read the directions, then I go to Bulk Reef Supply and see if they have any How to videos to go with the kit. Watch this YouTube video and double,triple, Quadruple check yourself that you are doing it right.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4NnYOFneA

And yes, a LFS testing your water would be a good verification.
 
Kevin,

How old is your test kit? There was a batch of Alkalinity Test kits that weren't all that great. If you're close to a member I'd suggest seeing if they can test your water with their kit and compare. If you're in Garland and come up by Dallas North Aquarium I'd be happy to test it for you. I'm off GB and Marsh Ln.
 
I was getting odd readings from my Red Sea Alk test as well.... Gave up and started using API for Alk. Still use the Red Sea for Mg,Ca,No3 and Po4 though. API is very simple, count the number of drops until it changes from blue to yellow and that is your Alk reading... Some might say that the API isn't accurate enough but I just watch the color change closely. For example, if it starts to change color partially after 9 drops but is completely yellow until after the 10th drop, I record it as 9.5
 
I got one of the bad batches once. The color barely turns blue and then to a light orange. If that is what is going on, call Red Sea and have them replace it.
 
Mike mine does exactly like that. I'll call them tomorrow. I tested the water at the LFS and everything is in check. I was going crazy for a minute thinking that there was no detectable values. Don't even know if that is even possible..lol.

Thanks everyone for their help!
 
My test kit is fairly new based on the expiration date. I bought it from marine depot. I had API test kits but ran out and decided to try out the Red Sea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top