Ok, so I've used Salifert tests for my alk/calc/mag testing forever. For Christmas, I got some hanna checkers - alk, ph, and calcium.
My issue is with the calcium checker. I just can't figure this thing out! It seemed to work well in the beginning (December/January). It was giving me readings in line with what my levels normally are. But about 3 weeks ago it gave me a calcium reading of 510. I turned off the dosers to let things come down a bit, and alkalinity did. But calcium went to 515 (ish - I don't remember exactly). Even though I lowered the dosing, the hanna checker was reading a higher calcium reading. Highest reading I ever got with it was 570 or something outrageous. Double checked with my salifert kits, and got a reading of 340 (yes - a 200 point difference). My corals seemed to be agreeing with the salifert reading.
I switched out my RODI filters thinking that may be the cause, but no. Hanna checker still consistently reading way higher than is reasonable. Since my calcium was low, I dosed to raise it up to 420. Salifert kits registered the change - hanna checker continues reading in the 500's.
What am I doing wrong here?
I tried checking to see if my reagents were recalled, but I couldn't find them on any of the lists (to be fair, I didn't find official lists - just forum posts about which ones were recalled). And if the reagents were bad, wouldn't the checker have been giving screwy readings back in December/January as well?
I feel like its user error. But I can't find my error. Someone who is familiar with these, help me out.
My issue is with the calcium checker. I just can't figure this thing out! It seemed to work well in the beginning (December/January). It was giving me readings in line with what my levels normally are. But about 3 weeks ago it gave me a calcium reading of 510. I turned off the dosers to let things come down a bit, and alkalinity did. But calcium went to 515 (ish - I don't remember exactly). Even though I lowered the dosing, the hanna checker was reading a higher calcium reading. Highest reading I ever got with it was 570 or something outrageous. Double checked with my salifert kits, and got a reading of 340 (yes - a 200 point difference). My corals seemed to be agreeing with the salifert reading.
I switched out my RODI filters thinking that may be the cause, but no. Hanna checker still consistently reading way higher than is reasonable. Since my calcium was low, I dosed to raise it up to 420. Salifert kits registered the change - hanna checker continues reading in the 500's.
What am I doing wrong here?
I tried checking to see if my reagents were recalled, but I couldn't find them on any of the lists (to be fair, I didn't find official lists - just forum posts about which ones were recalled). And if the reagents were bad, wouldn't the checker have been giving screwy readings back in December/January as well?
I feel like its user error. But I can't find my error. Someone who is familiar with these, help me out.