KH Test - Water tester JBL - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Water test kit
Brand	JBL
Model	KH Test
Category	Water tester
Use	Measurement of carbonate hardness (alkalinity) in freshwater, saltwater and garden ponds
Measurement principle	Drop count titration with color change from blue to yellow/orange
Unit of measurement	German degree (°d), mmol/L, French degree (°f), mg/L HCO3− (conversion table included)
Accuracy	1 drop = 1 °d for 5 ml sample; 1 drop = 0.5 °d for 10 ml sample
Test tube capacity	5 ml or 10 ml
Box contents	Reagent, test tube, instruction manual
Dimensions (estimated)	Approximately 10 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm
Weight (estimated)	Approximately 70 g
Power supply	None (manual test)
Maintenance	Rinse the test tube with clear water after each use
Safety	Highly flammable liquid and vapor (H225); causes severe burns (H314). Keep out of reach of children.
Spare parts	Commercially available reagent refills
Warranty	2 years (according to JBL standard)
General information	Manufactured by JBL GmbH & Co. KG, Germany. Instruction manual available in multiple languages.

Frequently Asked Questions - KH Test JBL

What is the measurement range of the JBL KH Test?

The test measures carbonate hardness from 0 to 20 °d (or more depending on the number of drops). Each drop corresponds to 1 °d for 5 ml of sample.

Can this test be used in saltwater?

Yes, the JBL KH Test is suitable for freshwater, saltwater and garden ponds. For saltwater, the carbonate hardness should be maintained between 7 °d and 10 °d.

How to interpret the color change?

The reagent changes the color of the sample from blue to yellow or yellow-orange. The number of drops required corresponds to the carbonate hardness.

What to do if the carbonate hardness is too high?

To reduce the carbonate hardness, you can use a reverse osmosis system like the JBL Osmose 120. Consult your specialist dealer.

What to do if the carbonate hardness is too low?

To increase the carbonate hardness, use JBL AquaDur Plus or JBL pH-Plus in freshwater, JBL CalciuMarin in saltwater, and JBL StabiloPond KH in garden ponds.

Is the test sensitive to temperature?

The test can be used at room temperature (20-25 °C). Avoid extreme temperatures that could alter the reagent.

How to clean the test tube after use?

Rinse the test tube several times with clear water. Do not use detergents or chemicals.

Is the reagent dangerous?

Yes, the reagent is highly flammable (H225) and corrosive (H314). Keep out of reach of children, avoid contact with skin and eyes. In case of contact, rinse thoroughly with water.

Can I buy reagent refills?

Yes, JBL test reagents are available as economical refills in stores.

What is the shelf life of the kit?

The kit has a shelf life of about 2 to 3 years from the date of manufacture, to be stored in a cool, dry place away from light.

USER MANUAL KH Test JBL

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DE UK FR NL

IT DK ES PT

SE CZ HU PL

RU KR TW CN

JBL GmbH & Co KG

67141 Neuhofen

[phone]

Germany

www.JBL.de

KH Test-Set

Besonderheit

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Gefahr

The JBL KH Test Set is an easy to use quick-test for determining the carbonate hardness or the acid binding capacity of freshwater, saltwater and garden pond water.

Why test?

Depending on origin and consistency of the subsoil, water may contain varying quantities of alkaline earth salts. Owing to the effects of CO_2 , a large proportion of these salts is represented by hydrogen carbonates. By definition, the proportion of calcium and magnesium salts represented as carbonate is described as carbonate hardness.

As a rule, the carbonate hardness is below the total hardness value. In certain exceptional cases (e.g. the East African lakes) the carbonate hardness can be higher than the total hardness.

Most freshwater fish and plants in an aquarium thrive well at a carbonate hardness of roughly between 3 and 15^ . For successful CO_2 fertilization, the carbonate hardness should not fall below 4 to 5^ . For optimized pH buffering action in saltwater, a carbonate hardness around 7 - 10^ ought to be maintained.

In the garden pond the carbonate hardness plays a vital role as a stabilizer for the pH level. Algae (thread and floating algae) in particular “consume” carbonate hardness by rapid assimilation (biogenic decalcification), driving the pH up to levels which are dangerous for fish (above 10^ d). Carbonate hardness levels of at least 4^ d should therefore be maintained in garden ponds.

What to do in the event of unfavourable values

There are various methods for reducing water hardness (e.g. by using a reverse osmosis unit such as the JBL Osmose 120). Ask your pet shop specialist for details. Use JBL AquaDur Plus or JBL pH-Plus to increase the carbonate hardness in freshwater aquariums. Use JBL CalciuMarin in marine aquariums.

In garden ponds the carbonate hardness can be increased by the addition of JBL StabiloPond KH.

Instructions

1. Repeatedly rinse the measuring vessel with the water to be tested.
2. Fill the measuring vessel with the water to be tested up to the 5 ml mark (CAUTION: the lower line of the water level must coincide with the marking).
3. Add reagent one drop at a time, counting the drops, and shake after each drop until the colour changes from blue to yellow-orange.
4. One drop of reagent solution used corresponds to 1^ carbonate hardness (German scale).

For more precise readings:

Fill the measuring vessel up to the 10 ml mark with the water to be tested.

One drop of reagent solution used up corresponds to 0.5^ general hardness (German scale).

Note: With 10 ml sample water the colour development is less intensive for the first drops. For better readability place the measuring vessel on a white surface.

See the table below for conversion into other common units of measurement.

Our tip for environmentally-friendly users

All reagents for JBL test sets are available from your retailer as reasonably-priced refill packs!

Warning and safety notices:

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Danger

H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour. H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

P101 If medical advice is needed, have product container or label at hand. P102 Keep out of reach of children. P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking. P303 + P361 + P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water [or shower].P305 + P351 + P338 IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. P405 Store locked up.

Carbonate hardness Acid binding capacity mmol/l	German degree °d	French degree °f	Hydrogen carbonate mg/l
Acid binding capacity mmol/l - 2.78 4.94 61.0
German degree °d 0.36 - 1.78 21.8
French degree °f 0.20 0.56 - 12 3
Hydrogen carbonate mg/l 0.016 0.046 0.08 -

Kit de test KH

Spécificité

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Danger

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Gevaar

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Pericolo

H225 Liquido e vapori facilmente infiammabili. H314 Provoca gravi ustioni cutanee e gravi lesioni oculari.

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Fare

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Perigo

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Fara

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Nebezpečí

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Veszély

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Niebezpieczeństwo

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Опасно

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위험

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危險