Just a suggestion. Get a backup test kit. My Hanna tends to read higher than Salifert or when I do an ATI water analysis. Salifert always reads 0.3 below Hanna. The Salifert test kit is not that expensive and gives you a second look at your level when testing. I used them both each week and sort of average the two for a result. I watch the trident everyday looking for swings, but confirm it with the other two tests.
Ill def keep that in mind for sure thanks!
Not sure if I should do a mini water change just in case
Triton does not
Yeah they lost 3 out of 6 tests too. Going to change. One last test.
I’m hesitant about making a comment on that, because there are variables about your tank I don’t know. My only thoughts would be when you mix up some new water, what does the Alk test to in the new water. If it’s higher than your tank, maybe not a good idea to do a water change as that might increase it higher. If your Alk is high, it should gradually drop if you don’t add more as it is being consumed in the tank. Sometimes doing nothing and letting the tank correct itself may be the correct action.
Thanks I appreciate all the help! I will keep all of this in mind!
I use salifert for Alk, it's quick enough and easy. When I get a rate deviation I simply retest to see if it was user error.
I tend to read a lot of Randy Homes-Farley’s guidance on the subject. None of our home test kits are that accurate. Plus, if we add a tad more or tad less of water or reagent, we can skew the results a lot. When I test, I don’t look for a number, but a that’s looks about right and what I expected. I’m just looking for trends or something really outside of my that’s about right window. Keeps me from over reacting to minor changes and small testing errors.
I haven’t seen it, but my routine barely changes throughout the year. My AC is set to 70-74 and I never change that. That 4 degree swing winter to summer results in the 3 degree swing in the tank temp (77.5-80.5). One thing you mentioned was CO2. I monitor mine with a meter and it hardly ever gets over 500 unless I have visitors come over. I guess house stability equates to tank stability. My tang gang and swallowtail angels are pretty aggressive algae grazers. They keep the tank pretty clean.
Can’t play it . Just get black screen
3 kids, 4 cats, dog, adult daughter, and me. Other seasons I can open windows, I can keep it around 500 sometimes 1000ppm if it's too cold. Summer it's 1500-2000ppm or higher.
Wow! You need a whole house CO2 scrubber. That’s a lot of breathers in one house.
