FYI: Water Tests Are VERY Corrosive

[Darth_Tater]

In case you missed it in the test instructions and haven't found out the hard way yet, Alk, Calc, and Mag tests are very corrosive. I had a drop splash onto my finger just a few minutes ago and it burns even after rinsing it off! Be more careful with them than I usually am.

Oh, and they are very very rough on furniture.

 

[nereefpat]

Yes. A good reminder. Alk is titrated with a strong acid.

 

[Tisbe]

Thanks for the post. Haven't read the warning in years.

 

[Ron Reefman]

What test kit is that? I don't see any warnings on my kits and I get them on my fingers and I've never felt anything?

 

[A sea K]

Yep, I accidently dropped some on my shorts/leg during my last test session. Certainly irritated my leg not too mention it burned hole right through my shorts.

 

[homer1475]

I use all salifert tests and get it on my counter top, fingers, and wipe up spills with my "tank towels". Never have I had chemical burns on my fingers, stains on my counter tops, or have it eat holes in my "tank towels".

Curious as to what kits your using?

 

[A sea K]

I think it was my Red Sea nitrate kit.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I use all salifert tests and get it on my counter top, fingers, and wipe up spills with my "tank towels". Never have I had chemical burns on my fingers, stains on my counter tops, or have it eat holes in my "tank towels".

Curious as to what kits your using?

+1

I use API and Salifert and I get solution all over towels every time and I've never seen any damage other than a stain.

 

[MrDemonicAngel]

also curious to hear what brand test kit OP is using

 

[nereefpat]

An alkalinity test is just determining how much acid it takes to drop pH. All brands' tests are most likely just an indicating dye like phenolphthalein and an acid. A strong acid like HCl is used because it dissociates completely and makes the math easy.

 

[Darth_Tater]

What test kit is that? I don't see any warnings on my kits and I get them on my fingers and I've never felt anything?

The Red Sea mag test is the worst. If I dump it straight into the kitchen sink after I'm done it fizzes and bubbles just like hydrogen peroxide would. It also eats furniture like crazy.

 

[A sea K]

I use all salifert tests and get it on my counter top, fingers, and wipe up spills with my "tank towels". Never have I had chemical burns on my fingers, stains on my counter tops, or have it eat holes in my "tank towels".

Curious as to what kits your using?

+1

I use API and Salifert and I get solution all over towels every time and I've never seen any damage other than a stain.

OK, so I'm doing my weekly testing and drag out my Red Sea brand "Nitrate Pro Test Kit" and upon inspection see reagent bottle labeled NO3/A5 which has warning labels as follows, "CORROSIVE", "Causes severe burns", Contains Sulphuric acid"

So, I'm no puss by any stretch of the imagination and all I know is I felt the burning sensation when I dropped some on my leg and of course I have a few holes in my shorts as a result.
Don't really care but wanted to point out that the OP has listed some cautions that probably should be observed and not just dismissed because some folks have not had a reaction. To summarize, be careful with your test kits as they do contain some pretty serious chemicals.