When measuring liquids, why do we need to read the lower meniscus of water while reading the upper meniscus of

Question

Continuation of question: thick syrup?

Answer 1

In graduated cylinders and scientific devices you read the lower meniscus of water because of the surface tension of water that causes the outside rim of water against the glass to rise (and that is how it is calibrated).

The surface tension of thick syrup is lower so it does not have the raised water rim so the meniscus should not have a significantly lower bottomf (so actually it should not matter).

Answer 2

Capillary action causes the water to creep up the sides of the glass tube, the same applies to thick syrup. The meniscus of a column of mercury will be read from the top.