Alkalinity question (Salifert)

[JonnyD91]

I have a salifert KH/AlK test kit and I am questioning if the test kit can go bad over time?

Also a question on reading the test.

When you put the syringe in the KH liquid, with the long tip on the syringe you pull it back till the black part on the syringe get to 1.0. When I do this though there is an air gap in the syringe. I am assuming it is suposed to be there because of the long tip on the end of the syringe, am I corrrect?

I just got a reading of 6.1 dKH. However my ph is aroung 8.0. I am using an aquacontroller that i just recalibrated to check the ph. Im not sure what is going on here but last week i lost a cleaner shrimp that i have had for almost 3 years. I am wondering i this caused this, or the test is wrong, or i am reading it wrong. Any ideas?

 

[seagirl]

they have had some issues with the alk kits. I would ask the LFS to verify the results. the air i ssupposed to be there. Cleaner shrimp only live for a few years in captivity as far as i know. I'm sure someone will say otherwise and it may be true, but most people i know only have them live 2-4 years.

 

[VaderWS6]

Don't trust Salifert Alk test kits. I did, and I lost some of my livestock. Said my Alk was 4.5 when it was really around 20! :mad2: Caused a huge snow storm, rock hard calcium carbonate film on everything, my frogfish died along with a few other creatures. I don't trust anything Salifert. Even my Salifert Ca test kit (brand new) says my Ca is consistantly 490ppm+, which I know isn't true.. More like 420ppm.

 

[JonnyD91]

what is the best alk test kit then?

 

[seagirl]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11086379#post11086379 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JonnyD91
what is the best alk test kit then?

Most people will tell you Lamonte(sp?). I have neer had problems with Slaifert like VaderWS6, but i have heard of lots that do. But I guess if i had a kit reading that low i would verify the reading with another test kit before adding anything.