{"product_id":"ntlabs-aquarium-lab-multi-test-kit-freshwater-copy","title":"NTLabs -Hardness Test -KH\/GH","description":"\u003ch2 data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"524\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"488\" data-end=\"524\"\u003eWhat is KH (Carbonate Hardness)?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"526\" data-end=\"760\"\u003eKH, or \u003cstrong data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"555\"\u003ecarbonate hardness\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as \u003cstrong data-start=\"571\" data-end=\"591\"\u003etotal alkalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e, measures the \u003cstrong data-start=\"606\" data-end=\"628\"\u003ebuffering capacity\u003c\/strong\u003e of your water—how well it can resist changes in pH. Stable KH levels help maintain consistent pH, which is crucial for fish health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"788\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"768\" data-end=\"788\"\u003eIdeal KH Levels:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"928\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"860\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"860\"\u003eMeasured in \u003cstrong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"823\"\u003edegrees KH (dKH)\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"827\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"860\"\u003e1 dKH = 17.8 ppm (as CaCO₃)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"901\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"863\" data-end=\"901\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"863\" data-end=\"893\"\u003eMinimum recommended level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"902\" data-end=\"928\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"928\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"920\"\u003eIdeal range:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6–8 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"930\" data-end=\"971\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"971\"\u003eWhat If KH Is Too Low or High?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1094\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"974\" data-end=\"1094\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"974\" data-end=\"994\"\u003eLow KH (\u0026lt;4 dKH):\u003c\/strong\u003e Water is unstable, and pH may crash.\u003cbr data-start=\"1031\" data-end=\"1034\"\u003e➤ Use a buffer like \u003cstrong data-start=\"1056\" data-end=\"1081\"\u003eKH Up – pH Stabiliser\u003c\/strong\u003e to raise KH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1095\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1181\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1097\" data-end=\"1121\"\u003eTap water KH \u0026gt;6 dKH?\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular water changes should help maintain ideal KH levels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1183\" data-end=\"1209\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1190\" data-end=\"1209\"\u003eHow to Test KH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1593\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1243\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1213\" data-end=\"1243\"\u003eEnsure the test tube is clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1244\" data-end=\"1295\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1247\" data-end=\"1295\"\u003eAdd \u003cstrong data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1259\"\u003e5 ml\u003c\/strong\u003e of aquarium water to the test tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1296\" data-end=\"1369\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1299\" data-end=\"1369\"\u003eAdd \u003cstrong data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1327\"\u003e1 drop of KH reagent\u003c\/strong\u003e, mix gently. Water should turn pale blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1460\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1373\" data-end=\"1460\"\u003eAdd more drops one at a time, mixing between each, until the solution turns \u003cstrong data-start=\"1449\" data-end=\"1459\"\u003eyellow\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1593\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1593\"\u003eThe number of drops = KH in \u003cstrong data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1499\"\u003edKH\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr data-start=\"1500\" data-end=\"1503\"\u003e(If the water turns yellow after the first drop, KH is \u0026lt;1 dKH—this is dangerously low.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1598\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1640\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1606\" data-end=\"1640\"\u003eWhat is GH (General Hardness)?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1861\"\u003eGH measures the \u003cstrong data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1686\"\u003etotal dissolved minerals\u003c\/strong\u003e (mainly calcium and magnesium) in your water. It determines whether your water is classified as \u003cstrong data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1799\"\u003esoft or hard\u003c\/strong\u003e and plays a key role in fish osmoregulation and plant growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1863\" data-end=\"1904\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1869\" data-end=\"1904\"\u003eIdeal GH Levels (by fish type):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"2008\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1940\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1907\" data-end=\"1940\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1907\" data-end=\"1930\"\u003eSoft water species:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–6 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"1978\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1943\" data-end=\"1966\"\u003eHard water species:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10–15 dGH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"2008\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1981\" data-end=\"2008\"\u003e1 dGH = 17.8 ppm (as CaCO₃)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2010\" data-end=\"2051\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2017\" data-end=\"2051\"\u003eWhat If GH Is Too Low or High?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2052\" data-end=\"2234\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2052\" data-end=\"2116\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2116\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2067\"\u003eToo hard?\u003c\/strong\u003e Use \u003cstrong data-start=\"2072\" data-end=\"2102\"\u003ereverse osmosis (RO) water\u003c\/strong\u003e to dilute GH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2234\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2234\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2119\" data-end=\"2132\"\u003eToo soft?\u003c\/strong\u003e Add \u003cstrong data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2161\"\u003eGH-raising materials\u003c\/strong\u003e like \u003cstrong data-start=\"2167\" data-end=\"2194\"\u003ecalcium carbonate rocks\u003c\/strong\u003e (e.g., ocean rock) for a natural boost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2236\" data-end=\"2262\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2262\"\u003eHow to Test GH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col data-start=\"2263\" data-end=\"2658\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2263\" data-end=\"2299\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2266\" data-end=\"2299\"\u003eMake sure the test tube is clean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2300\" data-end=\"2340\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2303\" data-end=\"2340\"\u003eFill with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2321\"\u003e5 ml\u003c\/strong\u003e of aquarium water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2341\" data-end=\"2413\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2344\" data-end=\"2413\"\u003eAdd \u003cstrong data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2375\"\u003e2 drops of GH A reagent\u003c\/strong\u003e, mix—water should turn \u003cstrong data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2412\"\u003edark pink\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2414\" data-end=\"2512\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2512\"\u003eAdd \u003cstrong data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2456\"\u003eGH B reagent one drop at a time\u003c\/strong\u003e, mixing between drops, until the sample turns \u003cstrong data-start=\"2503\" data-end=\"2511\"\u003eblue\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2658\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2658\"\u003eThe number of GH B drops = GH in \u003cstrong data-start=\"2549\" data-end=\"2556\"\u003edGH\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr data-start=\"2557\" data-end=\"2560\"\u003e(If the solution turns blue after the first drop, GH is \u0026lt;1 dGH—this indicates very soft water.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2663\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2665\" data-end=\"2841\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2665\" data-end=\"2673\"\u003eTip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Regular KH and GH testing helps you prevent pH crashes, fish stress, and poor plant growth. Use the NTLabs Multi-Test Kit for accurate and reliable results every time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NTLabs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41231790440581,"sku":"NTL0006","price":270.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0385\/6331\/5845\/files\/Hardnes-GHKH.jpg?v=1748255380","url":"https:\/\/www.artofaqua.com\/products\/ntlabs-aquarium-lab-multi-test-kit-freshwater-copy","provider":"Art of Aqua","version":"1.0","type":"link"}