Salifert KH Test kit
Back to Test Kits
Calcium alone cannot form the skeletal material of corals and allow calcareous algae to grow. Some other substances are needed as well. A few other constituents are carbonate and bicarbonate. These two substances also have a major impact on the stabilization of the pH in the proper range of 8.1 - 8.4. Such stabilization is also called buffering.
The total carbonate and bicarbonate concentration is also called carbonate alkalinity or carbonate hardness. The only difference between alkalinity and carbonate hardness is a conversion factor. NSW has an alkalinity of approx. 2.7 meq/L or approx. 7.5 dKH when expressed as carbonate hardness. For a stable system the alkalinity or carbonate hardness should have a value similar to NSW or slightly higher and should preferably not fluctuate by more than 5%. This means a maximum fluctuation of 0.14 meq/L or 0.4 dKH. Therefore an alkalinity test kit should be capable in measuring in steps smaller than 0.14 meq/L.
Since the major buffer components used for coral and calcareous algae growth are bicarbonate and carbonate, they should be added to correct any decrease in alkalinity or carbonate hardness. A proper formulated buffer should function in such a way that the corrective measures results in a long lasting effect and should not upset the pH of the system. The alkalinity or carbonate hardness should be kept as stable as possible requiring highly sensitive and accurate means for testing.
Calcium alone cannot form the skeletal material of corals and allow calcareous algae to grow. Some other substances are needed as well. A few other constituents are carbonate and bicarbonate. These two substances also have a major impact on the stabilization of the pH in the proper range of 8.1 - 8.4. Such stabilization is also called buffering.
The total carbonate and bicarbonate concentration is also called carbonate alkalinity or carbonate hardness. The only difference between alkalinity and carbonate hardness is a conversion factor. NSW has an alkalinity of approx. 2.7 meq/L or approx. 7.5 dKH when expressed as carbonate hardness. For a stable system the alkalinity or carbonate hardness should have a value similar to NSW or slightly higher and should preferably not fluctuate by more than 5%. This means a maximum fluctuation of 0.14 meq/L or 0.4 dKH. Therefore an alkalinity test kit should be capable in measuring in steps smaller than 0.14 meq/L.
Since the major buffer components used for coral and calcareous algae growth are bicarbonate and carbonate, they should be added to correct any decrease in alkalinity or carbonate hardness. A proper formulated buffer should function in such a way that the corrective measures results in a long lasting effect and should not upset the pH of the system. The alkalinity or carbonate hardness should be kept as stable as possible requiring highly sensitive and accurate means for testing.
|
|||
|
|
Back to Test Kits Go to checkout |
Found a better price?
We want to bring you the best products at the best possible prices. If you found a better "everyday" price on the exact same item just contact us and we will match it.
* price match not valid for sale, special, special order or close out items. we price match against item price and shipping cost. we will not price match loss leader items. we reserve the right to limit quantities.
We want to bring you the best products at the best possible prices. If you found a better "everyday" price on the exact same item just contact us and we will match it.
* price match not valid for sale, special, special order or close out items. we price match against item price and shipping cost. we will not price match loss leader items. we reserve the right to limit quantities.
| You may also like... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LOGIN |  |
| SHOPPING CART |  |
| NEWSLETTER! |  |
| BEST SELLERS! |  |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » | |
| » |
| FISH DATABASE! | |
Want to find out about a particular
fish? Check out our Fish Database
for a wealth of information and tips
» Browse the Fish Database
» Browse the Fish Database