Who should I trust here?

[merkmerk73]

Hanna checker claims 7.8 - lowest I’ve ever read

Red Sea consistently shows 8.2 or 8.1 on the low end

My dKH is 8-10 depending on week so I find it hard to believe in my open floor plan house that my pH would be so low

Very concerning … not pleased with this Hanna purchase tbh

 

[RedoubtReef]

I assume you calibrated the Hanna?

 

[merkmerk73]

I assume you calibrated the Hanna?

It comes pre calibrated but at the beginning of each measure, you start with a zero reading so I would say yes

 

[sc50964]

7.8 isn’t that bad. Don’t chase the 8.0 as long as your livestock is happy

 

[cilyjr]

Instruction manual says a plus or minus .3 on accuracy for the Hanna meter.
What is it on the other?

 

[merkmerk73]

7.8 isn’t that bad. Don’t chase the 8.0 as long as your livestock is happy

According to BRS 7.8 is horrific if you’re growing corals

I don’t know why all my other readings would consistently be 8.2 on one of the easiest and most reliable tests (Red Sea, api, seachem) and this Hanna checker would say 7.8

 

[merkmerk73]

Instruction manual says a plus or minus .3 on accuracy for the Hanna meter.
What is it on the other?

This was a PH check, not dkh

My dkh is 8-10

Which is why I don’t believe my ph would be 7.8 when Red Sea says 8.2

 

[sc50964]

According to BRS 7.8 is horrific if you’re growing corals

I don’t know why all my other readings would consistently be 8.2 on one of the easiest and most reliable tests (Red Sea, api, seachem) and this Hanna checker would say 7.8

Are your corals happy & growing?

If so, the range of ph that you are getting which is 7.8 to 8.2 is okay.

Every measuring device has an accuracy tolerance. The most likely value of your water is 8.0.

Why don’t you conduct a test with newly mixed water that you for sure know the right number based on salt manufacture’s info?

 

[Kmarshall168]

Also if it really worries you take a sample to your LFS and have them check

 

[merkmerk73]

Are your corals happy & growing?

If so, the range of ph that you are getting which is 7.8 to 8.2 is okay.

Every measuring device has an accuracy tolerance. The most likely value of your water is 8.0.

Why don’t you conduct a test with newly mixed water that you for sure know the right number based on salt manufacture’s info?

I will do that next WC

I’ve done 3 20% water changes this week on my 120 - another reason I’d expect the pH to be higher

I’ve never had a kit show less than 8.1

 

[merkmerk73]

Also if it really worries you take a sample to your LFS and have them check

I can do this but they’ll just use an API kit lol

 

[cilyjr]

The pH accuracy is plus what minus 0.2. if the other one is about the same that's also in range.

 

[Kmarshall168]

I can do this but they’ll just use an API kit lol

Api ph isn't the worst out of kit