High Resolution API KH Test Kit

great info guys.

but how close do the "nuclear bomb" drops compare to using a syringe?

is it close enough to be consistent?

i'm very accurate when using my kits. i usually "bleed off" the first drop to assure uniform size.
 
kimber45 said:
but how close do the "nuclear bomb" drops compare to using a syringe?

is it close enough to be consistent?

i'm very accurate when using my kits. i usually "bleed off" the first drop to assure uniform size.
Click to expand...
The drips out of the syringe are about 1/5 of the size of the big drops (if you use the small tip that Salifert provides). Since they are dosed from a syringe they are more precisely controlled. The drops from the stock API bottle could vary (I have not found a variance, but I had the extra syringes so...).

Also, I am an engineer by training, and engineers live to fix things that are not broken.:)
 
"Also, I am an engineer by training, and engineers live to fix things that are not broken."

I can tell when I'm in an electrical engineers home and pass by the electrical panel box. All the wires are meticulously lined up like railroad tracks and properly labeled inside and outside the box. :lol:
 
HighlandReefer said:
I can tell when I'm in an electrical engineers home and pass by the electrical panel box. All the wires are meticulously lined up like railroad tracks and properly labeled inside and outside the box. :lol:
Click to expand...
You mean there is another way to line them up?
 
hilgert,

I must be doing something wrong. I just tried this and my reading using your method and I get twice what the api reading is.

Took six nuclear drops and I used .46 on the small syringe/dropper. .46x27 and I get 12.42. So roughly twice the KH.

What am I doing wrong?
 
Okay, I found the problem.

Works very well if you get the proper amount of water to sample.

Thanks for the tip. I'll be using this method from here on out.
 
LOL!!!

FYI, I now only draw up 0.5ml. Unless your KH is over 13dKH 0.5ml is fine. I just dump the rest to avoid the hassle of putting it back. Since I try to keep it around 10dKH (on average) the waste is not that bad, and it's one less dip into the bottle for contamination.

Also, I have found that the multiplier is closer to 26, not 27 (actually about 26.4). At this level of precision 0.4 does not really matter, hence 26.
 
OK, I think I figured it out. I tried it first and it didn't seam to work right. Here's what I did:

Using the API Test Kit normally: 12.0 dkh

Now using the API Test with the Salifert Syringe:

1st Test: Filled syring so stopper was at 1.0 line and dripped. It turned yellow with 0.29 left in syringe. 1.0 - 0.29 = 0.71, so 0.71 x 26 = 18.46. Something must be wrong, my level can't be this high.

2nd Test: Filled syring so stopper was at 1.0 line, noticed that liquid was only up to 0.78 line. Started dripping and it turned yellow with 0.32 left in syring. 0.78 - 0.32 = 0.46, so 0.46 x 26 = 11.96. This one seams right in line with the API kit. So, I imagine that you guys are filling the syring until the liquid reaches the 1.0 line, not the black stopper.

So, it appears that this method does give a more accuate reading. Now is everybody here that has both a Salifert kit and an API kit finding that they are both reading pretty close to the same. I'm getting near the end of my kit and need to get another. I'd love to just get another API (for the price, but first want to be sure that it's a descent kit. But, it sounds like that is what people are reporting in this thread.
 
falconut said:
OK, I think I figured it out. I tried it first and it didn't seam to work right. Here's what I did:

Using the API Test Kit normally: 12.0 dkh

Now using the API Test with the Salifert Syringe:

1st Test: Filled syring so stopper was at 1.0 line and dripped. It turned yellow with 0.29 left in syringe. 1.0 - 0.29 = 0.71, so 0.71 x 26 = 18.46. Something must be wrong, my level can't be this high.

2nd Test: Filled syring so stopper was at 1.0 line, noticed that liquid was only up to 0.78 line. Started dripping and it turned yellow with 0.32 left in syring. 0.78 - 0.32 = 0.46, so 0.46 x 26 = 11.96. This one seams right in line with the API kit. So, I imagine that you guys are filling the syring until the liquid reaches the 1.0 line, not the black stopper.

So, it appears that this method does give a more accuate reading. Now is everybody here that has both a Salifert kit and an API kit finding that they are both reading pretty close to the same. I'm getting near the end of my kit and need to get another. I'd love to just get another API (for the price, but first want to be sure that it's a descent kit. But, it sounds like that is what people are reporting in this thread.
Click to expand...

I think it works great and more accurate than the nuclear drop of the API bottle. Once you have the Salifert syringe and test tube you're good to go.
 
It doesn't matter whether the liquid reaches the 1.0 mark on the syringe or not. It's best to use the black rubber stopper as the measuring point. Just check the level before and after the titration, using the same edge of the stopper, and subtract the two to get the amount that was added to the sample.
 
bertoni said:
It doesn't matter whether the liquid reaches the 1.0 mark on the syringe or not. It's best to use the black rubber stopper as the measuring point. Just check the level before and after the titration, using the same edge of the stopper, and subtract the two to get the amount that was added to the sample.
Click to expand...

Thanks. falconuts post confused me alitte on where to measure.
 
This is awesome. I just did this with my Salifert and API. Salifert was 9.6 and API was 9.1. This will save alot of people money!!!
 
calcium

calcium

hey i know this is an old one but the content is still very useful. followed the directions and it came up with a very accurate number matching an elos dkh test kit........

now i would love to know the conversion for the api calcium test kit using the same method. i feel that i could be much more accurate,
thanks
jeff
 
I use API with 10ml water sample and get 15-drops=7.5 for natural seawater. Now I use the redsea vial and syringe holder, 5ml sample and it's a lil more precise at 30x26.4=7.92 so thanks alot hilgert.
 
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