Salifert alkalinity test kits - where from?

[The Goatreich]

Can anybody recommend a good supplier of the Salifert alkalinity test kits? Google shows hundreds of suppliers, with prices ranging from £5ish to £10.

 

[dennisking]

I got mine from a tropical fish shop based in a garden centre, £6 I think.

 

[The Goatreich]

Thanks, I ordered one online in the end, £8 delivered. I'll keep an eye out in my local garden centre next time I'm in there though.

 

[jonewer]

Sorry to piggy-back but I thought this might be useful to the OP too.

I just tested my water and it gave a reading of 2.05 meq/l

How do I translate this into something the calculator can use?

 

[Good Ed]

Sorry to piggy-back but I thought this might be useful to the OP too.

I just tested my water and it gave a reading of 2.05 meq/l

How do I translate this into something the calculator can use?

Multiply 2.05 x 50 to give your alkalinity as CaCO3 in ppm (calcium carbonate) you can then use CRS to reduce this to the required level.

 

[The Goatreich]

Good tip. I discovered the dwrcymru water report doesn't give sodium, magnesium, chloride and some other necessary readings, so I emailed them today asking for a more detailed report, stating what I needed. My salifert kit should be delivered in the next day or two, so hopefully my next brew day will be the first one with treated water.

Interestingly I've noticed The Malt Miller doesn't stock calcium carbonate or salts to correct the sodium levels, just gypsum and CRS. I guess I'll have to go elsewhere for those if needed.