{"product_id":"api-kh-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater","title":"API KH Test Kit - Freshwater\/Saltwater","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracks carbonate hardness — the buffer that keeps pH from crashing.\u003c\/strong\u003e The API KH Test Kit is a liquid reagent test for carbonate hardness (KH), also called alkalinity, in fresh or saltwater. A low KH is one of the most common reasons a stable-looking tank suddenly swings on pH, and this kit is how you catch it before that happens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrop-count titration\u003c\/strong\u003e — add the reagent drop by drop and count until the colour changes; no colour chart matching required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFresh and saltwater\u003c\/strong\u003e — one kit, one reagent, for either water type.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEach drop is a known increment\u003c\/strong\u003e — API's KH reagent chemistry is built so one drop equals 1° dKH, giving you a precise number rather than a colour band.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTests vary with your water\u003c\/strong\u003e — softer water changes colour in fewer drops, harder water takes more. API does not publish a fixed tests-per-kit count for this reason.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to use it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFill the supplied test tube to the 5 mL line with a water sample.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdd the KH reagent one drop at a time, swirling the tube after each drop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCount the drops until the sample's colour changes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe number of drops added is your reading in ° dKH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMeasures\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarbonate hardness (KH) \/ alkalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMethod\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDrop-count titration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eResolution\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 drop = 1° dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSample size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTests per kit\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot fixed — varies with water hardness; not published by API\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWater type\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFreshwater and saltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFreight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's included \/ what you'll still need\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKH reagent bottle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCapped glass test tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstruction booklet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA GH (general hardness) reagent — this kit measures KH only. See API GH\/KH Hardness Test Kit for both in one box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAny product for raising or lowering KH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFreshwater and marine tanks where pH stability is a concern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReef tanks tracking alkalinity alongside calcium and magnesium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiagnosing unexplained pH drift between water changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasuring general hardness (GH) — a separate reagent is needed for that\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdjusting KH on its own — this kit reads the number, it does not change it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSafety and handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep out of reach of children.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid skin and eye contact with the reagent; rinse with water if contact occurs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStore the reagent bottle capped and out of direct sunlight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-gh-kh-hardness-test-kit\"\u003eAPI GH\/KH Hardness Test Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — adds general hardness (GH) to this kit's KH reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/api-freshwater-master-multi-test-kit-5-in-1\"\u003eAPI Freshwater Master Multi Test Kit 5 in 1\u003c\/a\u003e — pairs KH with ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a consumable test kit, so no manufacturer warranty period applies. That does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law: if the product is faulty, unsafe or not as described, you are entitled to a remedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShips as standard freight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat KH should my tank be?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAPI does not publish a single target on this kit's own page. As general aquarist reference points rather than an API specification: most community freshwater tanks are commonly kept in the 3–6° dKH range, and harder-water setups such as African cichlid tanks are often kept well above that. Check the requirements for your specific fish or coral rather than relying on a generic figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy doesn't API state how many tests are in the kit?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the test count depends on your water. Every drop is part of one test's worth of reagent, and a harder-water sample needs more drops — and therefore uses more reagent — to reach the colour change than a soft-water sample does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes this kit test GH as well as KH?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, this is a KH-only kit. API's GH\/KH Hardness Test Kit tests both in the one box, with a separate reagent bottle for each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I use this in a saltwater reef tank?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, API rates this kit for both freshwater and saltwater, which includes reef tanks tracking alkalinity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"API","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55242218799395,"sku":"BA9118","price":28.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/APH145_9.png?v=1786075727","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/api-kh-test-kit-freshwater-saltwater","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}