Red Sea Test Labs pH and Alkaline Tests
Introduction to pH & Alkalinity
The pH is a very important parameter in the biology of aquatic organisms. It is a measure of the acidity or basicity of the water. The scale runs from zero to 14. Zero is the most acidic, 7 is neutral and 14 is the most basic. A change of 1 pH unit, for example from 7 to 6, means that the water gets 10 times more acidic.
Due to its chemistry, water is able to absorb a certain amount of acidic matter without a resulting change in pH. The substances in the water that do this are called buffers. The ability of water to withstand changes in pH is called buffer capacity. In some of the literature alkalinity is termed "Carbonate Hardness" or " KH Carbonate Buffer." This is exactly the same measurement as is measured in the Red Sea Mini-Lab
Alkalinity Test.
To maintain a correct and stable pH, check the pH and alkalinity weekly.
Directions for Tests
pH Test - Clean a test tube by rinsing it with the water to be tested.
- Fill the test tube to the 6 ml mark with water to be tested.
- Add 3 drops of pH (7.4-8.6) indicator, close the test tube with the stopper, and shake gently for 10 seconds.
- Compare the color with the color scale by holding the test tube in a vertical position, 8" from a white background.
- Read off the pH value of the color that is most similar to the sample in the test tube.
- Clean the test tube and stopper with tap water.
Alkalinity Test - Clean a test tube by rinsing it with the water to be tested.
- Fill the test tube to the 10 ml mark with water to be tested.
- Add 5 drops of alkalinity indicator.
- Close the test tube with the stopper, and shake gently for 10 seconds.
- Open the test tube. Look down through the open top of the test tube, while holding it 8" from a white background.
- Read off the alkalinity level value of the color that is most similar to the sample in the test tube.
- Clean the test tube and stopper with tap water.
