Lake Malawi Species • Could use some help with water parameters

[toyopl]

Tank is 30gal for Saulosi juveniles, around 3-4 weeks old, added fish 1 week ago.
Cycled with Seachem Stability, so far fish are doing fine.
Sand is Caribsea African Cichlid Mix
Rock is Caribsea LifeRock, LFS said it will raise PH, that it will work in Cichlid tank.

I could use some pointers on proper KH/GH values, should I raise them or leave them be for now.
Bought Fluval tests, API Tests, Tetra Strips

Tap Water
PH 7.2 wide range test Fluval - I think this was faulty
PH 8.0 high range test Fluval
PH 8.0 High Range test API

GH 120ppm Fluval
GH 140ppm API
GH 300ppm Tetra Strips

KH 80ppm Fluval
KH 90ppm API
KH 150ppm Tetra Strips

Aquarium Water
PH 7.2 Wide Range Fluval - possibly faulty test
PH 8.0 High Range Fluval
PH 7.8 High Range API

GH 160ppm Fluval
GH180ppm API
GH 300ppm Tetra Strips

KH 100ppm Fluval
KH 140ppm API
KH 150ppm Tetra Strips

[ken31cay]

I could use some pointers on proper KH/GH values, should I raise them or leave them be for now.
Bought Fluval tests, API Tests, Tetra Strips

Tap Water
PH 7.2 wide range test Fluval - I think this was faulty
PH 8.0 high range test Fluval
PH 8.0 High Range test API

GH 120ppm Fluval
GH 140ppm API
GH 300ppm Tetra Strips

KH 80ppm Fluval
KH 90ppm API
KH 150ppm Tetra Strips

Aquarium Water
PH 7.2 Wide Range Fluval - possibly faulty test
PH 8.0 High Range Fluval
PH 7.8 High Range API

GH 160ppm Fluval
GH180ppm API
GH 300ppm Tetra Strips

KH 100ppm Fluval
KH 140ppm API
KH 150ppm Tetra Strips

What is your water source?

KH and GH readings: big difference between the Fluval & Tetra Strips, but even the lower Fluval readings, though low, are ok for your Saulosi, and I assume they have acclimated fine in your tank for a week from whatever water they came from.

pH readings: these are also ok and looks like your fish have acclimated to your water. If your pH reading stays consistent in your tank then it will be fine.

Conclusion: I wouldn't attempt to change KH, GH, or pH since stability is key. Regarding the three different tests (Fluval, API, Tetra), I would personally run a few more tests with the API (three more each for KH, GH, and pH) and if the results were consistent I would drop the others and stick to the API tests.

[DJRansome]

Use only the high range test for pH. Once you get a higher rating with that, you know your pH is high range. 7.8, same as mine.

[Fogelhund]

How long did you let the tap water sit, before you tested it?

[toyopl]

How long did you let the tap water sit, before you tested it?

Tested right away, do you need it to sit for a bit before testing ?

[DJRansome]

See what it is after 24 hours out of the tap and before you put it in the tank.

[Fogelhund]

How long did you let the tap water sit, before you tested it?

Tested right away, do you need it to sit for a bit before testing ?

As mentioned above, the water should sit for 24 hours before being tested.