I have been having very inconsistent test results recently when testing my alkalinity. I use two different test methods: Hanna alkalinity checker with 1 year old testing reagent (expires 2023) and an API test kit (reagent expires 2024).
Two days ago I filled three vials for testing directly from the display tank and tested three times with the Hanna checker and got the following results: 7.4, 8.7, and then 7.7. I then tested with the API test kit and got an 11 as a result.
Today I tested twice at the same time with the Hanna checker and got 7.7 and 8.2. I tried the API test again and got a 10 as a result.
How can my results be so inconsistent? I am not sure what to believe in terms of my alkalinity levels which makes dosing a gamble at the moment. I know API test kits aren't the most reliable, so I am leaning more towards trusting the Hanna checker numbers but they have been inconsistent too. Anyone have any suggestions?
Two days ago I filled three vials for testing directly from the display tank and tested three times with the Hanna checker and got the following results: 7.4, 8.7, and then 7.7. I then tested with the API test kit and got an 11 as a result.
Today I tested twice at the same time with the Hanna checker and got 7.7 and 8.2. I tried the API test again and got a 10 as a result.
How can my results be so inconsistent? I am not sure what to believe in terms of my alkalinity levels which makes dosing a gamble at the moment. I know API test kits aren't the most reliable, so I am leaning more towards trusting the Hanna checker numbers but they have been inconsistent too. Anyone have any suggestions?