Salifert PH Test Kit

[tkeracer619]

I hardly ever test ph but I've been having precipitation issues in one of my tanks so I thought it was worth looking into.

My instructions read...

5ml water
6 drops
look through side.

I get a grey color that doesn't exist on the chart.

Marinedepot shows instructions that are as follows...

5ml water
4 drops
look through top.

I found a few places with either of these two instructions sets. I'm going to try with the 4 drop method when I get home but does anyone know what gives?

 

[tmz]

I've been using a pH monitor for many years ; it's been quite a while since I used a pH. test. Maybe the formula for the Salifert test changed which could explain the different instructions.

 

[bertoni]

pH test kits often are hard to read. I invested in a meter, as Tom did.

 

[tkeracer619]

I have one for my main system but this is my coral qt system that up to this point has been easy to maintain. I've just recently developed a precipitation issue.

 

[CostaAquatics]

I love this ph meter by Hanna Instruments, really accurate, replaceable probe, comes with calibration solution, and great price point at $41

http://hannainst.com/categories/ph-checkers-for-education/hi98100-checker-plus-ph-tester.html

 

[tkeracer619]

Thanks Costa, that looks like a screaming deal.

I didn't have a skimmer on that tank and am running kalk. I checked my other tanks to confirm the test kit and they were easy to read and produced expected results.

I mixed water from the QT and one of my other tanks 50/50 and the ph was readable. I installed a skimmer and over the course of 4 days it went from what I believe was above 8.6 to 8.0.

Hoping this was the root cause of precipitation, I will find out over the next few days.