What is my Alkalinity really at?

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

So I got a Neptune trident and apex system recently, and as I have posted in several threads asking for help, this thing is nothing but wack. First two of the internal hoses weren’t connected, then the reading boards were completely missalinged, and now I have confirmed that the alkalinity readings are absolutely incorrect.

to preface this, I have had the trident running for about 2 weeks ( after I got all of my errors resolved ) and today I did a calibration. My alk rose a bit from past tests, but not much, so I checked with several other test kits.

here ar the readings:

Trident: 6.06
Hanna: 6.6
Salifert: 6.6

so I think you can see the odd one out….. which one should I trust? And since I am assuming it is not the trident, how the hell do I fix this?

thanks in advance!

 

[Spare time]

I'd just pick one and stick with it, or with with the average.

This video might be helpful for you

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I'd just pick one and stick with it, or with with the average.

This video might be helpful for you

Just watched the video, and it makes sense. I will probably just stick with the Trident cause it is so easy, and possibly test with Hanna every now and then to make sure it is still throwing accurate enough numbers at me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Trident: 6.06
Hanna: 6.6
Salifert: 6.6

so I think you can see the odd one out….. which one should I trust? And since I am assuming it is not the trident, how the hell do I fix this?

They may well overlap in their expected uncertainties and not really be any different.

The Hanna only claims +/- 0.3 dKH.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

They may well overlap in their expected uncertainties and not really be any different.

The Hanna only claims +/- 0.3 dKH.

Wow, I figured they would have much tighter tolerances! I am just gonna go with what the trident says cause I am lazy….

 

[gbroadbridge]

Wow, I figured they would have much tighter tolerances! I am just gonna go with what the trident says cause I am lazy….

If you're going to do that, I'd suggest slowly raising the Alk up to NSW levels by about 0.5 dKh per day.

6 - 6.5 doesn't give you much room for error.

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

If you're going to do that, I'd suggest slowly raising the Alk up to NSW levels by about 0.5 dKh per day.

6 - 6.5 doesn't give you much room for error.

I have been raising it by 0.2 ish dkh a day with baking soda. I somehow killed an sps in 30 minutes after my last dose ( skin just fell off ) so I have paused for now, but as it sits I am at 6.63 on the trident, so probably in the low to mid 7's on my other kits.