Hach, 145300, Total Hardness Test Kit, Model 5-B

Total Hardness Test Kit, Model 5-B (145300) – Drop Count Titration for Ca & Mg as CaCO₃
Total hardness is the combined concentration of calcium and magnesium, reported as CaCO₃.The Model 5-B Total Hardness Test Kit (145300) provides a simple, reliable way to measure total water hardness (calcium and magnesium) as CaCO₃ using a proven drop count titration method. Designed for both field and laboratory use, this kit delivers fast, accurate results without the need for instrumentation.
Using an EDTA-based titration, each drop of titrant corresponds directly to hardness concentration, allowing users to quickly determine hardness levels in grains per gallon (gpg) or convert to mg/L as CaCO₃.
Why Test for Total Hardness?
Water hardness, caused primarily by calcium and magnesium ions, can lead to:
• Scale buildup in pipes, boilers, and equipment
• Reduced efficiency of soaps and detergents
• Increased maintenance and operational costs
Routine hardness testing helps optimize water treatment processes, protect equipment, and ensure consistent water quality.
How It Works (Drop Count Titration)
The test uses a color-change titration:
1. Add reagent to the sample (turns red/pink if hardness is present)
2. Add titrant drop-by-drop
3. Count drops until the solution turns blue (endpoint)
4. Number of drops = total hardness (gpg as CaCO₃)
• Measures total hardness (Ca + Mg) as CaCO₃
• Drop count titration method - simple, cost-effective, and easy to use
• Direct reading results: for this test kit, 1 drop = 1 gpg (or 17.1 mg/L as CaCO₃)
• Wide measurement range: 1-30 gpg (17-513 mg/L as CaCO₃)
• ~100 tests per kit for efficient routine monitoring
• No instrumentation required - ideal for on-site testing
• Drinking water
• Groundwater testing
• Industrial water systems (boilers, cooling towers)
• Food & beverage processing
• Environmental and field water analysis