Experience with GH Test Kits

[solonavi]

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to determine my tank GH and have tried two different test kit, namely Sera and AP. Using both test kit, I am not able to see the color change. Anyone got tips on how to see it maybe like by diluting it?

Thanks
JC

[bclee]

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to determine my tank GH and have tried two different test kit, namely Sera and AP. Using both test kit, I am not able to see the color change. Anyone got tips on how to see it maybe like by diluting it?

Thanks
JC

What colour are your seeing?

IME, GH kits always give me problems. They seems to go bad quite easily.

BC

[solonavi]

AP one keeps showing brown only. The more drops added, it juz turn dark brown.

For the Sera one, its always yellow.....

JC

[bclee]

AP one keeps showing brown only. The more drops added, it juz turn dark brown.

For the Sera one, its always yellow.....

JC

For the both the AP and the Sera, what is the colour change expect and the end-point?

BC

[solonavi]

AP should change to blue (if I rem correctly). Sera to green.

JC

[bclee]

AP should change to blue (if I rem correctly). Sera to green.

JC

Try testing on our tap water, if you drop more than 5-8 drops and the colour still do not change, chances is that the kit is faulty.

BC

[bclee]

BTW, by any chance, are you using coral chips or Seachem Onyx in your tank?

BC

[solonavi]

Nope. I'm using Lapis.

Think I really sucks in colors. I actually tested using tap water unless I'm so unlucky to buy 2 faulty different brands testkit at 2 different location....

Thanks for the help.
JC

[bclee]

Nope. I'm using Lapis.

Think I really sucks in colors. I actually tested using tap water unless I'm so unlucky to buy 2 faulty different brands testkit at 2 different location....

Thanks for the help.
JC

Try putting more drops. If >10 still no change, you can probably go back to change it.

It is not only you, me too. IME, GH kits go bad quite easily.

BC

[GaspingGurami]

I've been using Aquarium Pharmaceuticals' KH and GH test kit. It is a cheap 2-test for 10 Bucks a set and the GH titration test changes from yellow to green. I personally feel the colour change is very slight and it might be a problem for those with minor colour blindness. As the kit ages, this change of colour gets even more hazy, but it still worked. I've compared a 2year old kit that is almost empty against a newly opened bottle and the results are the same... only I had to really think hard if I'm seeing a true change or a psychological change with the old test whereas the new test shew a clear change (by my standards) in colour.

Try the following:
do your test in a neutral coloured surrounding. Grey or white surroundings is a good colour to do colour comparisons. If you have brightly painted walls, get yourself a "Viewing Box". Any discarded polystyrene ice box will do well for this.
Ensure your lightsource is not skewing your colour perception. Safest to view during daylight around 10am-3pm. Daylight fluorescent tubes rated 7500K (D75) to 10,000K are good too. Don't view using incandescent lamps or tungsten filament lamps.
Get a lady to count the drops for you. Unless injured in the eye, they're never colour blind to any degree, compared to men.

[solonavi]

Thanks for the tips Lawrence. Will try out your methods.

Cheers
JC