WaterWorks ™ water hardness test measures water hardness over a wide range of 0-1000 ppm. Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium ions in it. The more salts in the water, the harder the water is. The water temperature has a strong effect on the precipitation of calcium carbonate.
Why test the hardness of the water?
This test detects the hardness of both calcium and magnesium. Hard water of more than 120 ppm is rich in dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water causes white lime to settle in the plumbing and discoloration on the surfaces of dishes and bathrooms, as well as impairing the effectiveness of the soap. Under 80ppm soft water contains little dissolved minerals and detergent is needed less than hard water. Water hardness , which is less than 40 ppm, corrodes copper, iron or lead pipes Low hardness in combination with low alkaliity to accelerate the corrosion of the pipes. Aquarium water hardness is often expressed in “hardness rates” or dH. One dH unit is approximately equal to 17,5 ppm as calcium carbonate (CaCO3). For aquarium fish, water hardness is relevant, in terms of fish health and reproductive performance.
Hardness: In good water the hardness is between 50-100 ppm
- Very soft 0-55 ppm (mg/L)
- Soft 55-110 ppm (mg/L)
- Medium 110-160 ppm (mg/L)
- Hard 160-215 ppm (mg/L)
- Hard 215-320 mg/l
- Very hard 320+ ppm (mg/L)
How to perform a test:
- Remove the test strip from the foil package
- Dip the test strip (do not move) for 5 seconds in the water to be examined so deep that the test cushion on the strip falls under the water surface .
- Lift the strip from the water sample and place it horizontally (see picture)
- Compare the color of the test cushion with the color chart on the package. The result is readable immediately (no longer after more than 1 minute). Dry the colour chart of the package gently if it is wet.
Package includes 30 individually packaged tests
Country of manufacture: USA
Learn more about water testing
Read also: There are surprisingly large differences in the tap waters of Finnish cities.
