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I was under the impression that you want to measure alkalinity as against hardness.

You would need a separate kit for calcium.

it says it measures general hardness, and carbonate hardness, which it says is AKA alkalinity. I'm a little in the dark here I must admit, my scientific education went up to and included general science for junior cert. How was I allowed do that? The system has failed me! (ahem) <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

Here's the calcium kit I use

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.aquariumguys.com/calciumtest1.html">www.aquariumguys.com/calciumtest1.html

It's for salt water because that's where calcium is important for coral and the like, but it works in fresh water as far as I can see.

There is much confusion over water hardness and alkalinity. Alkalinity is also called carbonate hardness. The kit I have measures both carbonate and non carbonate hardness.

I knew it was tricky so I posted this on my blog last night:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="blackcatbrewery.blogspot.com/2009/09/har...kalinity-part-1.html">blackcatbrewery.blogspot.com/200 ... art-1.html

Great article on Hardness. Never quite got it before. Cheers.

I have only done two all grain brews, each time I have used bottled water. I decided to filter my own tap water with one of those inline filters last time to get rid of the chlorine. I think the water is fairly hard where I live. When I boiled the water, I could see small white floaters in the water. It looked like mineral deposits? I also had grayish like powder covering the grains in the Mash Tun? I guess it will be OK in this beer as it is an APA but I want to brew another Lager. I want to use tap water this time so I will need to get get rid of most of the hardness.

I look forward to some tips in your next blog. <!-- s:wink: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s:wink: -->

&amp;quot;Hendrixcat&amp;quot;:153fg7rn wrote: Here's the calcium kit I use

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.aquariumguys.com/calciumtest1.html">www.aquariumguys.com/calciumtest1.html [/quote:153fg7rn]

did you actually get it from those guys or from ebay? I'm just trying to find the best price and they say they don't ship outside the US

Richie, I got these kits from UK. They where refered to me by guy's on thehomebrewforum. I got them delivered in two days.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="www.swelluk.com/manufacturers/salifert-383.html">www.swelluk.com/manufacturers/salifert-383.html

Salifert Profi-Test Kits - KH + Alkalinity £5.99
Salifert Profi-Test Kits - Calcium £9.99
Delivery: £4.95