Alkalinity

[carebear]

Goodmorning - My alkalinity is zero. Is this acceptable or not? Here are the rest of my results:

Total Total
Date Nitrate Nitrite Hardness Alkalinity PH

7-Apr-08 20 0 50 80 6.4
13-Apr-08 20 0 50 0 6.4

Also, are test strips preferable to chemically testing the water? Which is more accurate?

Thanks so much!

[jbeining75]

Try another test strip.... That has to be incorrect. it is better to get an API master test kit and also grab the box of gh and kh test kits. They are more stable and reliable than strips commonly are. try to test it again.

[carebear]

Thanks! I will do!

[gm72]

Agreed that test strips are inferior to liquid testing.

[smaug]

I do believe that the "alkalinity"is really a measure of your waters buffering ability.I had strips like those when I first got into this,having a low buffering would make sense when having low ph such as yours but a 0 is not likely.As everyone else has stated the liquid tests are far more accurate.

[carebear]

Ahhhh! If this is a measure of buffering capability, then it would make sense that mine is low. I use RO water. I'm beginning to switch to tap. Will probably use 1/2 and 1/2. At the moment, there is only about 20% tap. Could that be the reason why then?

[smaug]

Ahhhh! If this is a measure of buffering capability, then it would make sense that mine is low. I use RO water. I'm beginning to switch to tap. Will probably use 1/2 and 1/2. At the moment, there is only about 20% tap. Could that be the reason why then?
Bingo,ro water would have next to zero alkalinity,as it would have virtually no minerals left.Still ,get a liquid test kit for future use.

[carebear]

Thanks so much!! I will definitely get a liquid test kit!! I have a whole "grocery list" actually after all the information I received this weekend! Gonna be broke soon! LOL

[smaug]

Thanks so much!! I will definitely get a liquid test kit!! I have a whole "grocery list" actually after all the information I received this weekend! Gonna be broke soon! LOL
Aquariums are the surest way to the po house!