Testing kh and gh for the first time

[JLui83]

Got my kh and gh test from API

 

This is my first time testing for kh and gh

 

Testing kh first, 1st drop it was yellow already, I added a couple more and it was the same color yellow as the 1st drop.

 

Testing gh, 3rd drop was green. I didn't know how green it would get so I added another drop, and another. total 5 drops. It was the same green as the 3rd drop.

 

conclusion. my tank water as it stands:

 

KH 1

GH 3 

 

Is that correct?

 

My Tap:

 

kh=3

gh=4

 

Good thing i ordered the RO/DI system b/c kh is a little bit high for cardinas correct?

[OMG Aquatics]

Make sure you are shaking the test tube after every drop.

 

Buffering substrates will remove KH which is why your tank is at 1 KH while your tap is at 3.

Also it's good that you tested your water because if you were going to do water changes with tap, you'd have a pH spike every time you do a water change.

 

[JLui83]

yes I did shake the test tube after every drop.

 

For sure the tap is no good. The ph from my tap is around 7.6-7.8.

 

Overall, the advice from everyone on this forum to get the RODI system was great advice and I appreciate it fully!

 

Thanks!

[paulvh]

FYI just in case anyone wants to get down to a slightly higher resolution on GH/KH tests.. You can double the volume of water(10ml), and then each drop is equivalent to 0.5 dKH.

This will give you a little more accurate representation of where you GH probably sits.