API copper test vile incorrectly marked???

[USMC 4 LIFE]

So I was verifying my copper levels on my quarantine tanks today and decided to draw up the tank fluid via a syringe. Well after drawing 5ml via the syringe and pouring into the API copper test vile, it filled up past the 5ml mark on the vile. I then thought that I may have misread the amount I drew up via the syringe. So I drew it again and got the same results.

I’m inclined to trust the syringe over the vile because the syringe is manufactured from a medical grade company. But I wanted to verify this and got a syringe from one of my Red Sea test kits and got the same reading. Filled past the 5ml mark on the vile.

Am I having a massive brain fart or is their a discrepancy with the API test vile, which will give improper quarantine readings.

 

[HotRocks]

It's hard telling, I can make a suggestion though. Grab a Hanna checker. Toss the API kit.

Much more accurate, and easy to read digital test result.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

It's hard telling, I can make a suggestion though. Grab a Hanna checker. Toss the API kit.

Much more accurate, and easy to read digital test result.

Yeah I am planing on switching over but I’m just trying to get some clarification on this first to know if I stumble on a manufacturing error from API. And to give caution to others who use the product.

 

[HotRocks]

Yeah I am planing on switching over but I’m just trying to get some clarification on this first to know if I stumble on a manufacturing error from API. And to give caution to others who use the product.

I get it. I have seen people make mention of this before. I would fill it to the marked line to perform the test.

You could send them an email and see what they say.

 

[JoshH]

I don't see any air in that syringe, try drying it out and taking another sample, you should have a couple air bubbles inside. This is because the marks on the syringe have already been adjusted for the air that you get due to the spout portion. When you remove all the air bubbles you are essentially adding the volume of the spout itself to your measurement. So if you draw up to 5 ml it's really 5 ml plus what's in the spout portion. Regardless of use I do agree with @HotRocks, Hanna makes an excellent checker that works really well and is very easy to use.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

I understand what you’re saying but when I dispense water from the syringe there is still water left in the tip. So wouldn’t that balance itself out when drawing up 5ml?

Additionally, I thought that was more applicable when there are attachments to the syringe. Like when drawing up regents from the Red Sea kits.

But you may be right.

 

[JoshH]

I understand what you’re saying but when I dispense water from the syringe there is still water left in the tip. So wouldn’t that balance itself out when drawing up 5ml?

Additionally, I thought that was more applicable when there are attachments to the syringe. Like when drawing up regents from the Red Sea kits.

But you may be right.

Theoretically yes it should balance out if the water left is the exact same volume as the air it replaced but there's no real guarantee of that. And it's the exact same principle with attachments it's just more noticeable as there's more air, Same rules apply though. Try leaving air in the syringe and see if there's a difference.

 

[Bill_Moorman]

I have experienced much the same. I’ve got about 10 of those api vials and each of them filled with 5ml from my syringe have different levels.

Probably a quality control issue. I’d email to ask!

 

[Toofattofish]

Typically vials aren't intended to be volumetric/exact, whereas syringes often are. I'd always trust a syringe over a vial, all else equal.