Advantages :
- Measuring range: 0.1 – 20 °dH
- Accuracy: 0.1°dH
- For highly accurate determination of carbonate hardness in aquaria
- Sufficient for approx. 100 applications at 10°dH KH in water and 0.2°dH resolution / or 50 applications at 0.1°dH resolution
- The indication is given in degrees of German hardness (°dH) – conversion table for other units in the included instructions
For the determination of the very precise carbonate hardness (KH):
The carbonate hardness (KH) or alkalinity of a water sample refers to the buffer capacity, i.e. the ability to maintain the pH value of the water. In water chemistry, various terms describe buffering capacity with different definitions. In aquariums, the term "carbonate hardness" is common; the measurement relates to the alkalinity. In this test, the two terms are synonymous. As a rule, carbonate hardness is expressed in degrees of German hardness (°dH).
The carbonate hardness must be checked very regularly in all aquariums. Low alkalinity in the aquarium can lead to a drop in pH value that is fatal for many fish and invertebrates. In coral aquariums, the carbonate hardness must be sufficient to ensure vigorous growth of corals. On the other hand, too high a carbonate hardness in a saltwater pool can lead to lime deposits and harm the growth of corals. In a saltwater aquarium, the carbonate hardness should be between 6 and 9 °dH. In freshwater aquaria the carbonate hardness should not be less than 3 °dH.
Manual :
| 1. | Before use, shake the bottles well! |
| 2. | Rinse the glass bowl several times with tap water, then with aquarium water. |
| 3. | Using the dosing syringe, precisely pour 5 ml of aquarium water into the glass bowl. |
| 4. | Then add 3 drops of reagent A (indicator) and carefully swirl the cuvette. The water sample takes on a turquoise color. |
| 5. | Place the tip provided on the small syringe and draw up 1 ml of reagent B (titrator). |
| 6. | Now add reagent B from the syringe drop by drop into the water sample until its color changes from turquoise to light pink to dark blue and purple. After each drop, carefully swirl the cuvette. The measurement is complete when the color of the sample has reached a light pink tone without a bluish tint. |
| 7. | The consumption of reagent B (difference compared to 1 ml) multiplied by 10 makes it possible to obtain the carbonate hardness in °dH. Example: If the lower end of the syringe plunger is after the end of the titration at 0.28 ml, the consumption of reagent B is 0.72 ml (difference from 1 ml). 0.72 x 10 = 7.2. The carbonate hardness of aquarium water is 7.2 °dH. For a wider range of test reagents or in the case of hard water above 10°dH, the test can be performed with a 2.5 ml sample. Proceed as described previously and, at the end of the titration, multiply the consumption of reagent B by 20. |
| 8. | After the measurement process is complete, rinse the glass cuvette, syringe and syringe tip thoroughly with tap water. |
