Salifert KH test kit gone bad?

[Miemaes]

Hi everyone,

I recently received my new Salifert test kit to measure my KH as I’ve finished my previous one. I almost fell over when the plunger went all the way down and my testing fluid was still blue!!! This means that my alkalinity is over 15 according to this test. My Calcium measured as it normally does and I even measured my Magnesium (which I did for this rare occasion) which also measured the same as usual. I tried the KH kit on another of my aquariums and I got the same result (high as a kite!). My question is… can these fluids go bad? I haven’t dosed anything because I wanted to calculate the exact consumption rate. I find it hard to believe that my KH is actually over 15? In this specific tank I use Red sea blue bucket which is low Alk. I don’t have any other test kit available atm so I’m looking for some reassurance Thanks in advance!

 

[spsick]

I’ve never seen them go bad even a couple years expired on the Salifert KH test.

Can you compare it to one you’re currently using? I always try to do that with new ones before the old one is gone to make sure everything is accurate.

 

[Miemaes]

I’ve never seen them go bad even a couple years expired on the Salifert KH test.

Can you compare it to one you’re currently using? I always try to do that with new ones before the old one is gone to make sure everything is accurate.

I used up all of my fluid from my previous one. I find it weird that it is in both my tanks and I use different salts for them. I wish I knew of someone near me to borrow their test kit from.

 

[Miemaes]

I’ve never seen them go bad even a couple years expired on the Salifert KH test.

Can you compare it to one you’re currently using? I always try to do that with new ones before the old one is gone to make sure everything is accurate.

Btw you are smarter then me I did not think to keep a little left. I just noticed testing last time that i started drawing in air

 

[Miemaes]

I’ve never seen them go bad even a couple years expired on the Salifert KH test.

Can you compare it to one you’re currently using? I always try to do that with new ones before the old one is gone to make sure everything is accurate.

I actually mixed up a fresh gallon of salt water at 1.026 ppm in a bucket. I checked the KH from the fresh mix and the fluid also remained blue… so something is off with this kit unless there is something off with my RODI. Not even sure if that can be a thing…

 

[spsick]

that was my next suggestion to check new salt water. Must be a bad kit which is weird I’ve never seen that in 10+ years of using Salifert!

 

[spsick]

Here’s another thread with same issue of the same batch so you should be able to contact vendor and get it replaced

bad batch Salifert Alkalinity test

I think I received a bad batch of Salifert Alkalinity tests. I recently bought a new Salifert Alkalinity test( the expiration is " 03-2028"). I did a few tests and all of the readings were over 15 DKH. To confirm the results, I used the Hanna Checker to test the same water sample. The readings...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Miemaes]

Here’s another thread with same issue of the same batch so you should be able to contact vendor and get it replaced

bad batch Salifert Alkalinity test

I think I received a bad batch of Salifert Alkalinity tests. I recently bought a new Salifert Alkalinity test( the expiration is " 03-2028"). I did a few tests and all of the readings were over 15 DKH. To confirm the results, I used the Hanna Checker to test the same water sample. The readings...

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks a lot for sharing this. This gives me some extra reassurance. My problem is identical. I’ve already arranged a return of the product. Thanks again!

 

[ReeferLou]

What was the expiration on your suspect kit? 4-2028?

 

[Miemaes]

What was the expiration on your suspect kit? 4-2028?

My new kit is 08-2028. My previous one was actually 04-2028, which tested fine…

 

[KJ_north]

I had the same issue with exp of 2-2028. I contacted Salifert and they sent me a replacement, plus an extra. No problems with the replacement kit with exp of 4-2028.

 

[Borat]

I have bought a test a Salifert test a month ago - and it read about 1.5 DKH higher than another Salifert test I had. I also have my alk tester - Salifert is just to cross check readings periodically, so it is really 1.5 DKH off..

They used to be reliable, but it seems they are not any more..

 

[Miemaes]

I had the same issue with exp of 2-2028. I contacted Salifert and they sent me a replacement, plus an extra. No problems with the replacement kit with exp of 4-2028.

I’ve ordered a new one so fingers crossed I get one from a good batch

 

[Miemaes]

I have bought a test a Salifert test a month ago - and it read about 1.5 DKH higher than another Salifert test I had. I also have my alk tester - Salifert is just to cross check readings periodically, so it is really 1.5 DKH off..

They used to be reliable, but it seems they are not any more..

Yeah… I find it surprising that something like that could pass quality control. I do like their test kits a lot, but I don’t want to have to worry whenever I need to buy a new one. Fingers crossed it’s a one off thing.

 

[KJ_north]

I’ve ordered a new one so fingers crossed I get one from a good batch

When I need more I’m going to order a Hanna

 

[Miemaes]

When I need more I’m going to order a Hanna

Yeah… I might look into it too

 

[kamitera]

I have a Salifert alkalinity test expiring at 08-2028, and last week, it was 15 (Gasp! must be a mistake...I'll redo it again later...) and today it is 1 (what the heck???) and everyone is alive and happy so I'm going to order a Hanna next time it's on sale. I realize after reading everything on this thread that it's from a defective batch. I'll return it to the manufacturer.

I just used one of those freebie "Universal Indicator Paper" litmus test and it's around 8 or 9 so I'm going to relax now.

Salifert website has cobwebs on it like no one's been able to update it since the 90's (Typical back then -- web designer/ developer quits and forgets/intentionally neglects to hand over credentials to the customer), but they have a Facebook page:

Salifert | Duiven

Salifert, Duiven. 1,309 likes. Salifert is a Holland base company that produces top of the line test kits as well as tank additives and foods for marine and reef aquariums.

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