Total Alkalinity. Steps and Reading Results.

[jfigueroa]

I have a few questions about the total Alkalinity test included in the Seachem's Reef Status Magensium test kit. The instructions ask the user to add a drop of the Alkalinity Titran into the collection vial until the solutions goes from blue to yellow and then read the results....this is where it's a bit confusing.

1. "Yellow" means a true yellow or the extremely clear yellow I'm getting?? almost transparent.

2. To read the results, am I required to see how much Titran's left in the syringe or how much's been used? so read the top or bottom of syringe? and does this account for any air gaps between the liquid and the plunger?

3. Filling the syringe with the Titran: 1 ml is asked to be used, BUT, am I supposed to fill the syringe until the titran reaches the 1ml mark or when the syringe's plunger does? There's a difference. When the plunger reaches the 1ml mark, there's an air gap between the 1ml mark and titran fluid. So, which one is it?

[Tech Support LK]

When you fill the syringe, you should have 1 mL worth of titrant in the syringe. This means that the level of titrant should be at the 1 mL mark. It does not matter whether or not there is an air gap between the titrant and the plunger. If it is difficult for you to distinguish between the color change, you can add two drops of the alkalinity reagent instead of one. This will give you a deeper blue color and a more distinguishable color change to yellow. This will not skew your results. When you read the results, however much titrant has been used is your alkalinity. So, for instance, if you have used 0.3 mL (your titrant will be at the 0.7 mark), your alkalinity is at 3 meq/L.

[jfigueroa]

Much appreciated. Now I get it. You guys rock.

[Tech Support LK]

You are welcome