API pH accurate?

[Knew tooth is]

Anybody have questionable ph readings with API kit? Tanks and tap are at 8.2-8.4 with high ph reagent, but paper/plastic strips indicate 7.0. Fish and plants all doing well over a couple of months. Never had lower pH reading with kit.

[Daniel]

All the hobbyist level test kits are only fuzzily accurate. But they are useful when it comes to trends. I usually don't believe the actual number. As you say, your fish are happy and are the best indicators of water quality. You can always test against a buffer of known pH if an exact number is needed.

[Cory]

I bought some known solution to test, test strips I'm working on. If it seems like a decent video after I see results I may film something about it. My guess is like Daniel said, hobbyist grade test kits will be only so accurate and are better for monitoring changes in the aquarium and not such much exact numbers. 

[Knew tooth is]

Thanks for putting these readings into perspective. I would have expected, though, readings within, AT THE VERY LEAST, half a log pH unit. The kit, which I really doubt but will confirm with standard buffer pH 7 (approx), should provide greater accuracy, particularly when one considers the expense.