fishmanmike01 Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) So I decided to run my calcium reactor differently that usual. By this I mean not using my apex to control the solenoid. Anyhoo I've been watching my alk slowly increase (via Hanna) to where I'd like it to sit until today I got a weird low result. So I thought hmmm. I'm going to test the same sample again based on what I've read in a previous thread. So I did and here's what I got. 1st. 151 2nd. 168 3rd. 161 4th. 157. All from the same sample within 5 min. I think I've lost faith. Edited September 11, 2015 by fishmanmike01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exodus Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Well on a positive note with all the readings you know your Alk sits between 8.4~9.4, I did back to backs 3 times once but mine didn't very that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 How does everything look? Can you actually see a difference? I know we test but is it always required? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC Scott Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) My experience has been that they are very picky, something as little as a wet thumb print throws them off. I aways wipe the tubes down with a microfiber towel. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk Edited September 11, 2015 by LC Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saltwater newbie Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) My experience has been that they are very picky, something as little as a wet thumb print throws them off. I aways wipe the tubes down with a microfiber towel. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk I clean my tube really good also every time I also clean them inside and out very good each time I'm done. Edited September 11, 2015 by Saltwater newbie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 (edited) My experience has been that they are very picky, something as little as a wet thumb print throws them off. I aways wipe the tubes down with a microfiber towel. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk I alway wipe them down really well prior to going in. Since I was using both vials to do the repeated tests, each was only ever held by the cap. Edited September 11, 2015 by fishmanmike01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MVPaquatics Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 They can even vary a little with just a little dust left in the packet. Or also, they can very with how hard the sample was shaken or how Long it was shaken. There are a lot of variables. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClark Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Ah thats a bummer, too crazy of variations. One good tip someone on this board shared a while back- Make sure the 10 mls symbol on the vial is always front and center. Here are some of the things I do - Make sure 10 mls is aligned in front ensuring consistent test tube placement - Shake reagent well - Always clean the vials - Never switch vials (calibrate one, test with another) - Always rinse tubes 5x after testing - Occasionally give the test tubes a vinegar bath. I find mine to be very repeatable for whatever reason, but I do follow all these steps just because alk is so darn important Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexinverts Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Make sure there are no bubbles in the tube. This will throw your readings off. Mine never vary more than a few ppm when I do repeated tests like you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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