pH Test Kit Instructions
HACH Phenol Red Test Kit pH range 6.5-8.5
| WARNING: |
The chemicals in this kit may be hazardous to the health and safety of the user if inappropriately handled. Please read all warnings carefully before performing the test and use appropriate safety equipment. |
- Place the test kit on the ground in a safe, dry place
- Fill the two glass test tubes up to the 5-ml mark with river water
- Wear goggles and gloves. Add four drops of Phenol Red Indicator Solution to one test tube and swirl to mix. This is the prepared sample.
- Insert the test tube with the prepared sample solution into the inside hole on top of the black colour comparator box.
- Insert the test tube with the untreated sample water into the outside hole on top of the black colour comparator.
- Hold the colour comparator up to the sky or sun and look through the two openings in the front. Rotate the colour wheel until a colour match is obtained. Read the number on the colour wheel scale.
- Have another person try matching the colours and then read the number scale. Agree on the best value. Record the result on the data sheet.
- Clean-up by pouring the colored prepared solution into the pH Waste Bottle. Use the clear untreated sample water to rinse the prepared test tube and add this to the waste bottle.
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A Guide for Interpreting pH Levels
d
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Range
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pH
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River Water Quality
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River Ecosystem
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High
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8.5 - 14
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Poor
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Unhealthy
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Medium
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6.5 - 8.5
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Good
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Healthy
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Low
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1 - 6.5
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Good
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Unhealthy
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The pH is used to measure the relative acidity of solutions such as water.
Solution with a pH greater than 7.0 is considered to be basic or alkaline. The greater the pH, the greater the alkalinity.
Distilled water has a pH of 7.0. This is considered neutral.
Solutions with a pH level less than 7.0 are considered to be acidic. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution.
A pH range of 6.5 - 8.5 is often considered safe for fish and aquatic invertebrates.
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