What is Alkalinity??

[MrKickalot]

I am so confused.... I have 5-1 test strips... I check my tank and all is good except for Alkalinity? Um... I thought PH was how you measure it your water is Alkaline or Acidic? What's the point of Alkalinity? I looked around a little and it seems like when you talk about Alkalinity there's always a mention of PH???

Please unconfuse me.....

Thanks,

Jason

[Lady Hobbs]

Alkaline or Acidic?

http://www.drhelm.com/aquarium/chemistry.html

Soft water is said to be acidic with lower pH and alkaline is harder water with high pH.

[Fishguy2727]

Alkalinity refers to carbonate hardness, or how well your water will hold a certain pH. Generally the higher the alkalinity/carbonate hardness, the higher the pH.