ALK in meq/l question. help pls

[SnowManSnow]

my test kit illustrates alk in meq/l. This is a Seachem test kit. It says to take the sample, and add 1 drop to make the water blue then count the drops till it turns yellow and then divide that by 2 to get the alk reading.

1st, do i COUNT the first drop? or only subsequent drops

2nd, what meq/l reading should I be shooting for?

IF i count the first drop that makes my alk 2.5meq/l

IF i DONT count the first one it is 2meq/l

Any help is greatly appreciated.

B

 

[Ben1]

and add 1 drop to make the water blue then count the drops till it turns yellow

if thats how it really reads don't count the first drop. I use an elos kit that I just add 5ml to the vial and count drops until I get a water change. I am not familiar with the seachem kit

 

[Anonymous]

I think you cound all the drops until it turns to yellow.

I do like the seachem test kits especially with the reference included. I do however prefer api and other kits for KH with test tubes where each drop-1dkh.

From what I hear each meq/l=2.8 dkh ro 2.5meq/l-about 7 dkh which is a little low but still in the range.

my .02