Fauna Marin Aquahometest KH Alkalinity Test

Fauna Marin Aquahometest KH Alkalinity Test PRECISION for saltwater aquaria

About carbonate hardness / alkalinity: The carbonate hardness (KH) or alkalinity of a water sample characterizes its buffering capacity, which is the ability to maintain the pH value of the water. This property is primarily defined by the ratio of hydrogen carbonate ions present in the water. As the pH value increases, other basic ions, such as hydroxide ions, also play a role in contributing to the alkalinity.

It is important to regularly test the alkalinity in all aquariums. If the alkalinity is too low, the pH value can drop suddenly, creating a life-threatening environment for many fish and invertebrates. In reef aquariums, maintaining adequate alkalinity is crucial for promoting robust coral growth. Conversely, excessively high alkalinity in saltwater tanks can result in lime precipitates, which may negatively affect coral development.

There are various terms in water chemistry that describe buffering capacity, each with different definitions. While “carbonate hardness” is commonly used in reef and fishkeeping contexts, it is actually alkalinity that is being measured. In this test, both terms are used interchangeably. The alkalinity reading is typically expressed in degrees of German hardness (°dKH). You can find a conversion table for this unit into other common units, such as millival per liter (mval/l) or millimoles per liter (mmol/l), on the second cover page.

Natural seawater has an alkalinity of approximately 6.5 °dKH. For saltwater aquariums, it is recommended that alkalinity levels range from 6 to 9 °dKH. It is advisable to consult your specialist retailer for the appropriate alkalinity for your specific tank.

How to correct unfavorable values: If your alkalinity levels are too low, we suggest using Fauna Marin Carbonate MIX or Fauna Marin Easy dKH to increase them.

Contents of the package:

• 10 ml / 0.34 fl.oz. of reagent A
• 50 ml / 1.69 fl.oz. of reagent B
• 1 glass cuvette (10 ml)
• 1 dosing syringe (5 ml)
• 1 dosing syringe (1 ml) with dropper tip
• 1 instruction manual