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	Red Sea pH/Alkalinity Mini-Lab Test Kit
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	Item Code: RS3111 Price:     $12.99   Qty:   Availability: Usually ships the next business day Write a review Email To Friend Details

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100 pH/60 KH tests. Easy to use pH test for marine and fresh water aquaria. Measures pH values from 7.4 to 8.6. 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, saltwater 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. Based on a method of measuring buffer capacity it is referred to as the alkalinity of seawater. 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 Alkalinity Mini-Lab Test. pH and alkalinity The pH of natural seawater varies geographically in the world’s oceans between 8.1 and 8.4. On a local scale the pH is however remarkably stable. This is due to dissolved buffers (mainly bicarbonates), which prevent pH changes. Because of the enormous volume of the ocean, a nearly inexhaustible stock of buffers are present: the sea can take up large amounts of acids, without a noticeable change in pH. Compared to the sea the volume of a marine aquarium is very limited and therefore the alkalinity is also limited. As fish produce acid waste products and as the buffering substances are used up by calcareous algae and invertebrates, the buffer capacity may become so low that the pH could suddenly fall. This would be very dangerous to all organisms in the aquarium. The alkalinity is measured in so called milli-equivalents of alkaline substances (for example sodium bicarbonate) per liter. These alkaline substances have the power to prevent pH drops. The alkalinity of natural seawater is approximately 2.5 milli-equivalents per liter. This level should also be maintained in the marine aquarium. A common symptom of an unsuitable pH is pH-stress. Especially in the marine aquarium, unsuitable pH values are very stressful to fish, and increase the chance of the fish being susceptible to disease (marine white spot). To maintain a correct and stable pH, check the pH and alkalinity weekly. The Red Sea Test Kit line is definitely one of the best value to be found at under $10. All warranty and claims should be directed towards Red Sea Fish Pharmaceuticals. Customer Reviews Write a review 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Great great for the money by AARON AMEZQUITA Posted on 7/3/2007 Comments: Great PH tester but the alkalinity you will get confuse to use the color chart I would not recommend this product to my friends. Was this review helpful to you?         0 of 0 people found the following review helpful: Excellent! great product by BRIAN VANFOSSEN Experience Level: Intermediate Posted on 4/15/2008 from PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL UNITED Comments: very easy to use. accuracy is good. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends. Was this review helpful to you?         Similar Items   Product: List Price: Our Price: Rating: Item Code: Description: