WaterWorks™ Total Hardness Eco Packs (NCW-481108)

This is one of our most popular tests. It is a simple dip and read test strip with a precise colour chart on the back of the packet and the results are shown immediately. This test strip is simple and requires no other reagents or accessories. We use trace amounts of chemicals on our strips which makes them extremely safe and non-hazardous. They are considered as Articles under OSHA and do not require SDS sheets.

Notes: Water flowing through the ground is naturally filtered of small particles, but some minerals naturally occurring in the ground may dissolve into groundwater. (Stalactite and stalagmite formation in caves occurs when groundwater redeposits these minerals).

Hard water (above 120ppm, originally called “hard” because it was hard to form suds with soap) contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. Hard water, above 250ppm total hardness, tends to form scale inside pipes and in the sink and tub. Soft Water (below 80ppm) contains very few dissolved minerals and forms suds with soap easily.

When the TH of water drops below 40ppm, particularly when alkalinity and pH are low, it becomes corrosive and may damage plumbing made from copper or iron and may damage lead solder used in copper plumbing joints. In the water softening industry the standard way to discuss hardness is as "grains per gallon" or gpg. One gpg unit is approximately equal to 17.14 ppm as CaCO3. In the aquarium industry hardness is often reported as "degrees hardness" or dH. One dH unit is approximately equal to 17.5 ppm as Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). High levels of hardness in an aquarium may affect the health and breeding habits of the fish.

1 packet of 30 tests individually wrapped in protective foil