Alkalinity is important in saltwater aquariums for a number of reasons. Proper alkalinity (142-215 ppm or 8-12 dKH) is vital for coral calcification and skeletal formation; it prevents pH swings, alkalinity burn, coral bleaching, and tissue loss; and it improves equipment performance. It is best to test for alkalinity weekly, or as needed depending on your dosing schedule, in order to maintain a healthy aquarium. Simply put, the greater the tank's alkalinity, the greater its ability to prevent rapid swings in pH.
With the Hanna Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker® HC - HI772 and (ppm) Checker® HC - HI755 you get an easy-to-read digital alkalinity level in either degrees Karbonathärte (dKH) or parts per million (ppm). No more guessing at subtle shifts in color!
In addition to being easy and accurate, the full line of Hanna Marine Checkers eliminate the hassle of always having to buy new test kits. When you run low on the supplied HI755-26 reagent (25 tests per bottle), just purchase a refill pack and you will be back to testing in no time.
Video: How to Use the Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker
Video: How to Use the Marine Alkalinity (ppm) Checker
Note that the HI1755 gives readings in ppm.
Our marine alkalinity checkers are supplied as a complete test kit. The kit includes:
The Hanna Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker and Hanna Marine Alkalinity (ppm) Checker are designed to make testing quick and easy.
Alkalinity is a system’s ability to buffer its pH as acids are introduced. In saltwater systems alkalinity is present in two main forms: carbonate (CO3 2- ) and bicarbonate (HCO3 - ). It’s important to check for alkalinity in reef aquariums because it’s vital to the calcification of corals and skeletal formation of many marine organisms. The recommended range for alkalinity in reef aquariums is between 142-215ppm or 8-12 dKH.
There are many solutions and chemicals you can add to a reef tank to increase alkalinity, such as sodium bicarbonate, Kalkwasser (Kalk/limewater) or various commercial premixes. Too high alkalinity can be damaging to organisms in an aquarium and even cause alkalinity burn, coral bleaching, or tissue loss. Additionally, a high alkalinity level puts the tank at risk for calcium carbonate precipitation (limestone formation). This precipitation can sometimes damage equipment and cause heaters or pumps to perform poorly. When the alkalinity drops too low your tank is susceptible to detrimental pH swings, causing organisms that utilize alkalinity to be unable to take in what they need.
Many test kits on the market rely on a color change that needs to be judged by eye. These are notoriously inaccurate and difficult to use, especially in the lower ranges. The Hanna Marine Alkalinity (dKH) Checker HC - HI772 and (ppm) Checker HC - HI755 bridge the gap between simple chemical test kits and professional instrumentation. The one-button design makes testing for calcium a cinch to use.
At Hanna Instruments, we strive to create testing equipment that is easy-to-use, accurate, and readily available. From design to completion, we manufacture a wide array of testing equipment for various industries and applications. No matter if you're in the lab or out in the field, we have just what you need to test. We value our customers and work with you every step of the way to ensure your testing success. That's our driving force, it's who we are.
That's why we've dedicated our blog as a helpful resource for you to use! Catch up on the latest products, explore industry trends, discover testing tips, learn how to improve results, and more. Got questions? Email sales@hannainst.com.
