Has Red Sea made any announcements about shipping defective reagent?

[Dom]

I conducted an Alk test with my Red Sea kit using a fresh bottle of reagent whose expiration date is 5/25.

As I started adding reagent, the sample turned a very, very faint blue, and then was virtually clear at the end of the test (I could barely tell if it was green).

I tested twice with the same result. I also tested multiple tanks with the same result.

Is this bad reagent? If not, why would this be happening?

Typically, adding reagent causes the sample to turn blue, then green on completion with yellow being an "overdose".

Any ideas?

Thank you,
Dom

 

[Lavey29]

Did you ask Red Sea?

 

[KStatefan]

Somebody posted the same thing yesterday so maybe.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I've not seen reports of issues.

 

[Dom]

Somebody posted the same thing yesterday so maybe.

That somebody was me. I wasn't getting responses.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Just to be sure, have you titrated well above the expected alk to see if you are not yet at the endpoint?

 

[Dom]

Did you ask Red Sea?

Red Sea wouldn't even acknowledge they had a seam issue with their tanks without pressure.

I'm going to reach out to BRS first.

 

[Dom]

Just to be sure, have you titrated well above the expected alk to see if you are not yet at the endpoint?

No, but I will give that a try.

The issue isn't that there isn't color change. The problem is that the colors are so faint, they are difficult to make out.

 

[Dom]

Ok... so I reached out to BRS.

They've agreed to send me new reagent to rule out a problem with my current bottle.

To be continued...

 

[Dom]

Ok... so I reached out to BRS.

They've agreed to send me new reagent to rule out a problem with my current bottle.

To be continued...

UPDATE:

As it turns out, it WAS the reagent!

BRS sent me new ALK reagent and it works as advertised.

I wonder if it was formulated incorrectly. Red Sea ALK test requires a 10ml water sample.

If I use only 5ml, would this make the colors more readable? I can then double the resulting number. Would this be accurate?

Just trying to figure out how I might make use of this reagent before I place it in the trash.

 

[Cell]

You have no idea what is different other than shade of color. I would not trust any results. Note the lot# and toss it.

 

[Dom]

Fair point.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Maybe it sat on a truck in the hot sun or some such thing.

 

[Dom]

Maybe it sat on a truck in the hot sun or some such thing.

Here is a photo of the bottle with lot and expiration… in case someone has the same issue.