K+ Pro Test

Information regarding the potassium test:

The precision of the measurement results may be increased by determining a „correction value“. For this purpose a measurement with reagent “Standard” (potassium) is carried out. This measurement indicates the correction value that should be included during each potassium measurement. We recommend determining the correction value again every 3-4 weeks.

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Instructions for use:

General information: To avoid cross-contamination, the dosing syringes with syringe tips must only be used for the same reagents! In addition, the used glass cuvettes, syringes, and syringe tips MUST be cleaned after each series of measurements!
Dip the syringe into the liquid before drawing up the syringe. Readings on dosing syringes are always taken at the plunger even if there is air between the plunger and the liquid (caused by the empty volume of the dropper tip). The air bubble will not affect the tes tresult.

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1. Determining the "correction value":

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1. If you recently determined the correction value, then proceed to item 2 “Determining the potassium concentration”.

2. Shake all reagent bottles before use!

3. Place a clean syringe tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with green piston and draw up 1 ml of “Standard”. Ensure the dosing syringe is as dry as possible. Add the entire volume to one of the two cuvettes.

4. Now carry out the potassium measurement as described at points 2.3 to 2.8.

5. The correction value can now be determined using the table below. To do so, read the corresponding potassium concentration of the residual volume of reagent D on the table. Subtract this value (measured potassium concentration) from the standard value 400 mg/l (concentration of the potassium standard). That is how to determine the correction value that you will use for the measurement values established later on.
   Example:
   Residual volume of reagent D1: 0.48 ml
   Potassium concentration K1: 420 mg/l
   Calculation: 400 mg/l - 420 mg/l = - 20 mg/l.
   Result: Deduct a correction value of 20 mg/l from future potassium measurements. If you come up with a positive value, add this to future potassium measurements.

6. The used glass cuvette, syringes, and dropper tips must be thoroughly cleaned after completing the actual potassium measurements.

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2. Determining the potassium concentration:

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1. Shake all reagent bottles before use!

2. Insert a clean syringe tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with the green piston, flush out the syringe several times with the water sample being tested (aquarium water) and then draw up 1 ml of this water. Empty the entire amount into the clean second cuvette.

3. Place a clean syringe tip onto the 1 ml dosing syringe with red lettering and draw out reagent A up to the 20 marking on the syringe (corresponds with 0.5 ml). Add the entire amount to the water sample. The exact completion of this step is very important for the precision of the final result!

4. Swirl the cuvette with the water sample for approx. 10 sec. to mix the reagent well, and then wait 5 minutes. White clouding will form.

5. Add 9 drops of reagent B, swirl for 10 seconds, and allow the cuvette to stand for another 2 minutes.

6. Next, add 3 drops of reagent C from the dropper bottle, and the water sample will turn to a yellow colour.

7. Place another clean syringe tip onto the third 1 ml dosing syringe with black lettering and draw out 1 ml of reagent D. Each time add three drops of reagent D to the water sample (CAUTION: Do not add, under any circumstances, a larger amount of reagent D all at once into the cuvette) and mix the reagent thoroughly by swirling it carefully. This is important so that a clear colour changing point is available later. Repeat this procedure until the yellow colour disappears and turns into a pale pink colour.

8. After that, continue carefully with the titration. After each drop of reagent D, the cuvette must be swirled until a rich, darker pink colour results after approx. 1 – 3 droplets. Read the remaining quantity of reagent D on the syringe.
   Note: If you are unsure if the end point of the titration has been reached, then add one more drop of reagent D. If the colour intensity does NOT continue to increase, then the final point of titration has already been reached. In this case, add on the last drop (0.01 ml) to the remaining quantity (mathematically).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      At this point, if you come up with the determined correction value, continue with point 1.5. To determine the actual potassium level in your water sample, continue with your measurement at point 2.9.

9. The corresponding potassium concentration can now be read on the table below using the residual volume of reagent D. Provided it has been determined previously, the correction value determined at point 1.5 is either deducted (negative value) from the potassium concentration or added to it (positive value).
   Example:
   Residual volume of reagent D2: 0.40 ml
   Potassium concentration K2: 400 mg/l
   Correction value determined - 20 mg/l
   Calculation: 400 mg/l - 20 mg/l = 380 mg/l
   Result: The potassium concentration of the tested water sample is 380 mg/l taking into account the correction value.

10. If additional measurements are carried out immediately, then the cuvette(s) and the syringe with the green piston should be cleaned briefly using reverse osmosis water. After completing the measurement series, the glass cuvettes should immediately be cleaned thoroughly according to item 3 so that precipitation cannot adhere too severely.

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3. Cleaning the glass cuvette and syringes:

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After completing a test series, we recommend cleaning the used glass cuvettes, syringes, and syringe tips.

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• The syringes and associated syringe tips must be flushed out thoroughly with reverse osmosis water and left to dry.

• Rinse out the glass cuvettes thoroughly with tap water. Clean the cuvettes with a piece of paper towel as best as possible, rinse thoroughly with reverse osmosis water, and leave them to dry. A light precipitation may remain. To remove this, we recommend using a suitable brush like the Tropic Marin® cuvette brush (available separately) or adding some household vinegar or vinegar-based cleaner. Allow the vinegar solution to sit for 12 - 24 hours, then rinse out the cuvette with reverse osmosis water and allow it to dry.

 

Shelf life and storage:

6 months after opening. Store in a cool, dark place.

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Table:

Potassium Concentrations
Reagent left in syringe D [ml]
Potassium Concentrations K+ in mg/l / ppm