Product overview
The Salifert Freshwater KH Profi Test Kit measures carbonate hardness so you can catch falling KH before the buffer runs out and pH crashes. Plant growth, biological filtration, and CO₂ all consume carbonate. Without a precise test, that drop is easy to miss, and plants and sensitive livestock can suffer.
The dropper reagents are made for freshwater mineral profiles. Each drop equals 1°dKH, with a clear blue-to-yellow colour change. Testing is done in a vial, not in the tank.
Key features
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Freshwater reagents: Drop sequence calibrated for freshwater KH, not marine chemistry.
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Colour change: Sharp blue to yellow endpoint.
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Scale: 1 drop = 1°dKH.
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Tests per kit: About 80.
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Off-tank: The sequence runs in a dedicated vial, so reagents do not enter the aquarium.
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Shelf life: Stabilised reagents to hold accuracy when stored correctly.
Water and system compatibility
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Water: Freshwater only. Not for marine or reef tanks.
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Use: Planted aquascapes, community tanks, shrimp breeding, and African cichlid systems.
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Adjustment: Use the results to set CO₂ injection or mineral buffering instead of guessing.
Testing and instructions
Always follow dosage & directions on product packaging.
Typical freshwater baseline is 4–8 dKH. Cichlid tanks often need a higher value. How often to test:
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New tank cycling: Every 3 days, to see how organic acids interact with tap-water buffer.
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Low-tech planted: Weekly, to check water changes are replacing consumed minerals.
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High-tech (CO₂ injection): Twice a week, so CO₂ does not exhaust KH and cause a night-time pH crash.
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Shrimp and invertebrates: Test often; sudden KH/pH shifts can disrupt moulting.
Storage
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Caps: Seal droppers as soon as you finish. Evaporation or moisture changes the drop count.
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Box: Cool, dry cupboard out of direct sunlight. Do not freeze or overheat the reagents.
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Vial: Rinse with RO/DI water and dry with a clean tissue so leftover reagent does not contaminate the next test.
Specifications
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Brand: Salifert
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Range: Freshwater series
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Tests: Approx. 80
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Scale: 1 drop = 1°dKH (degrees of carbonate hardness)
