Possibly a mistake on my teststrips

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Jayleth

Aquarium Advice Newbie
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
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I recently bought a new brand of test strips for my freshwater aquarium and it had two squares for the KH, but the two squares had different names(Total alkalinity and Carbonate), but the two squares also had different ppm readings! Please let me know if you have any idea what this might mean.
 
That does seem odd. Can you post a picture. The 2 types of hardness usually measured are carbonate hardness and total hardness. My understanding is that Alkalinity and carbonate hardness are slightly different but in reference to aquariums are considered to be the same thing.
 
It is a confusing one. Alkalinity is the waters buffering capacity i.e it’s ability to neutralise hydrogen ions and resist pH change.

There are many ions that contribute to total alkalinity. Phosphates, nitrates and silicates etc but the main contributor to alkalinity is carbonates.

In waste water treatment it is said that it takes 7.14ppm of alkalinity as calcium carbonate to nitrify 1ppm of ammonia. Thus as the tank ages, the buffering capacity is used up, hydrogen ions are no longer neutralised and the carbonate equilibrium falls in favour of the hydrogen ion and pH declines. Because there is no alkalinity and thus (in theory) no nitrification ammonium goes up. This is the non toxic state of ammonia. Its is kept non toxic because if the low pH. If you than decide to do a water change or add a carbonate buffer the buffering capacity rises and hydrogen ions are neutralised. The carbonate equilibrium shifts and pH rises. A build up of ammonium now becomes toxic free ammonia and causes acute toxicity and death. This is where the term ‘old tank syndrome’ comes from.

As new studies and information emerges it is becoming clear that there are many microbes that can contribute to nitrification that differ between waste water and aquarium filters who’s growth are dictated by many factors. This throws the whole 7.14ppm alkalinity per 1ppm ammonia statement with respect to aquariums in to question.

Carbonate hardness KH is the carbonate part of alkalinity.

The API KH test kit actually measures alkalinity.
 
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These are the pictures.
 

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Looking at their products they do numerous testing kits for numerous different scenarios. Pool test kits, aquarium, urine etc. I think they probably just throw a load of semi-relevant tests on a strip as a marketing gimic. "We have a 9 in 1 test strip everyone elses only has 5 or 6 in 1 tests," even if a lot of the tests dont really tell you much. 1 test not included is ammonia.

Like i said alkalinity and carbonate hardness are generally considered the same thing in aquariums even though they are slightly different. They probably have a test for each and just threw them both on even if they will both tell you pretty much the same thing.

Noticeably a lot of the reviews on that product are pretty poor, and the general impression within the hobby is that liquid tests are more accurate than strips. I would recommend a basic liquid test over strips even if it doesnt cover all the bells and whistles of a 9 in 1 test strip.
 
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Looking at their products they do numerous testing kits for numerous different scenarios. Pool test kits, aquarium, urine etc. I think they probably just throw a load of semi-relevant tests on a strip as a marketing gimic. "We have a 9 in 1 test strip everyone elses only has 5 or 6 in 1 tests," even if a lot of the tests dont really tell you much. 1 test not included is ammonia.

Like i said alkalinity and carbonate hardness are generally considered the same thing in aquariums even though they are slightly different. They probably have a test for each and just threw them both on even if they will both tell you pretty much the same thing.

Noticeably a lot of the reviews on that product are pretty poor, and the general impression within the hobby is that liquid tests are more accurate than strips. I would recommend a basic liquid test over strips even if it doesnt cover all the bells and whistles of a 9 in 1 test strip.


You are correct. This is all marketing jargon and another example of how these manufacturers try to confuse hobbyists in to buying more products.
 
Thanks for the help! This is really a bummer since I spent so much money on it, but I'll try and find a new kit!:thanks:
 
Thanks for the help! This is really a bummer since I spent so much money on it, but I'll try and find a new kit!:thanks:
I dont think either of us are suggesting you need to go out and buy a new test kit. Just understand it is what it is and dont rely on it too much. No home test kit will ever be reliable. If you are going to invest in a new test kit a liquid kit will be more accurate than strips, and much more cost effective long run.
 
I've bought multiple brands of test strips until I finally bit the bullet and just got the API master test kit. I did that because I pretty much proved they werent giving consistent accurate results. Yeah it's kind of a pain compared to just dipping a strip, but seriously, you cannot trust the readings the strips are giving you.

One brand was constantly reading my tank the same readings as a fresh glass of tap water, just prior to a water change, when I knew there HAD to be nitrates in the tank after a week.

Other brands would be inconsistent from strip to strip. (i.e. test the same water with multiple strips, getting varying readings from strip to strip). Now this didn't happen all the time, but happened enough where I knew I couldn't just dip one strip and trust what I was seeing.
 
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