Are Hanna checkers worth it?

[Waters]

You aren't using the test kit properly. problem solved

I am pretty sure I am using it actually as it is supposed to be used lol...not that difficult. The ALK tester is a pretty simple process....doesn't mean it is always accurate.

 

[Pdash]

I am pretty sure I am using it actually as it is supposed to be used lol...not that difficult. The ALK tester is a pretty simple process....doesn't mean it is always accurate.

You need to use the same vial to set the baseline and do the test. If you can't figure out how to complete the test within the time they give (I agree they should give more time so it's idiot proof) there are various tutorials online that could help you out.

 

[Waters]

You need to use the same vial to set the baseline and do the test. If you can't figure out how to complete the test within the time they give (I agree they should give more time so it's idiot proof) there are various tutorials online that could help you out.

Yeah, I hear ya.......I can do it.......but it is rushed every time....shouldn't be that way. I have had a couple that were wasted due to running out of time (all it takes is to not have something ready and having to walk across the room to get it lol) I was talking more about the ALK test and the inconsistencies that I get from one test to the next. When I first got it, everything seemed to be spot on. Changed bottles the first time now everything is off (even after going through several different bottles) . Verified with the Trident calibration fluid.....my ALK Hanna reads high every test. That doesn't mean I stopped using it.....I just know that my actual ALK is lower than what the Hanna is reading.

 

[NanoDJS]

I have always got consistant reading from my hanna , I use them for alk cal po no , alot of times I will do API , salifert, redsea, then hanna and they all are spot on each other , maybe I am doing it wrong but. Never had an issue I think the testers Hanna makes are the best ones available to us at this time.

 

[lavoisier]

Alk consumption in my recently setup reef is constantly on the move. As a result I am testing alkalinity a lot, almost daily to keep my dosers tuned. I have been using salifert for a test kit and they are cheap, like $13 for refills on amazon that last a couple months. But I am getting tired of inconsistencies. There are so many variables (The biggest issue usually being the syringe) that can throw off the reading and I am finding myself testing 2 sometimes 3 times because I get a strange off the wall reading. I really want something easier and more consistent. How are the inconsistencies with the hanna? Is it easy to mess up the results by user error? is 25 tests per regent pretty accurate?

I find Hanna quite satisfactory but using good techniques has helped me a lot with accuracy. Have your read this series of articles yet? https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/getti...count-by-using-a-quality-system-approach.741/

Also, spending a little more money and getting a hold of one of these increases accuracy and consistency:

 

[hllb]

I might have to contact Hanna......I agree.....if you cut the little pouch filled with powder along the lines, it is easy to get it all into the vial. I don't think that is the issue. I keep the vials filled with RO/DI water until they are used to make sure they stay clean. I don't know........I compare using Red Sea and the Red Sea numbers never change since I am using my own eyes. The Hanna always changes lol. Very possible it is user error in some way.......it isn't rocket science though :-(

I’ve seen others do that as well (storing them filled) but wouldn’t that residual water in the cuvette affect the test? I always use a dry one for that reason (even if that’s not reasonable lol). If I do a test back to back, I get a new, dry cuvette.

OP: same as others, I love the alkilinity and ULR Phosphorus but hate the calcium. There is variation in every hobby grade kit so I don’t worry about minor differences. The Ca one though, even after contacting Hanna and following their test procedures exactly, can be off my titration test by 50 to 100 (and is not a reasonable number).

 

[SamsReef]

Same here. I use Hanna for phosphorous and alkalinity and salifert for nitrate, calcium and mag.

All other tests once in a while with ICP(ATI or trident).

Sam

 

[C. Eymann]

I find Hanna quite satisfactory but using good techniques has helped me a lot with accuracy. Have your read this series of articles yet? https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/getti...count-by-using-a-quality-system-approach.741/

Also, spending a little more money and getting a hold of one of these increases accuracy and consistency:

Those cheap devices tend to go out of accuracy and need to be calibrated often if used regularly from my experience. I have found that they start drifting pretty fast. I prefer BD medical grade syringes.

There is a reason these are $45, where as a continuing use equivalent are near $500.

In labs these $45 ones are meant to be disposable or short use period for biological/hazard or risks of contaminating other samples etc etc.

The $500 units are made for continuing use/reuse.

 

[ZoWhat]

Hanna accuracy is all about HOW CLEAR THE VIAL IS.

a fingerprint, smudge, stained glass, caked glass, scratched glass can throw off results bigtime.... like you get a reading of 12.7 dKH when its really 9.4

Vials absolutely have to be crystal clear for the colorimeter light to accurately read the slightest difference in color shades. Imperfections in the glass throws test results out the window

Keep your vials in check...look at them through a strong flashlight....its a pretty good home hobbyist industry standard

 

[Waters]

I’ve seen others do that as well (storing them filled) but wouldn’t that residual water in the cuvette affect the test? I always use a dry one for that reason (even if that’s not reasonable lol). If I do a test back to back, I get a new, dry cuvette.

OP: same as others, I love the alkilinity and ULR Phosphorus but hate the calcium. There is variation in every hobby grade kit so I don’t worry about minor differences. The Ca one though, even after contacting Hanna and following their test procedures exactly, can be off my titration test by 50 to 100 (and is not a reasonable number).

Storing with RO/DI shouldn't affect the test as long as you rinse with tank water prior to running the test.

 

[Pdash]

Yeah, I hear ya.......I can do it.......but it is rushed every time....shouldn't be that way. I have had a couple that were wasted due to running out of time (all it takes is to not have something ready and having to walk across the room to get it lol) I was talking more about the ALK test and the inconsistencies that I get from one test to the next. When I first got it, everything seemed to be spot on. Changed bottles the first time now everything is off (even after going through several different bottles) . Verified with the Trident calibration fluid.....my ALK Hanna reads high every test. That doesn't mean I stopped using it.....I just know that my actual ALK is lower than what the Hanna is reading.

Ah yeah man, my Hanna alk reads .1 low pretty consistently, its just something to keep in mind, I'm much more concerned with consistent results than the absolute number. If you are getting lots of variation between tests, I would suspect a couple things. The most probable is (1) messed up cuvettes, so it might be worth buying new ones. After that (2) inconsistency with your sample or reagent amounts. Buying a single channel adjustable micro pipette should fix this problem they aren't super cheap, but they tend to last and can be used to increase the precision of all your tests. After that I'd say inconsistent testing method, its important to preform the test (this goes for any testing you do) identically every time if you want better precision from the test, and finally maybe you just have a messed up Hanna Checker.
As far as completing the Phosphate test in time, prepare the reagent packet ahead of time, get it opened and shaped into a funnel before you even hit C1. Once you are ready place the cuvette into the checker and when you hit the C1 button start a timer (I use the stopwatch on my phone), give yourself 1 minute to pull the cuvette out and dump the pre-prepared reagent into it. Then shake gently for two minutes (I shake for 1:40 and then swirl/invert for the last 20 seconds to eliminate micro bubbles, but whatever you do be consistent in how you preform the test!!), for a total of 3 minutes since hitting C1. Then place back in the checker and press and hold the button. The key is figuring out how to prepare the reagent packet ahead of time so its easy for you while you are trying to beat the timer. Like I said in my previous post there are guides online you can find. Good luck, hope this helps!

 

[Waters]

Ah yeah man, my Hanna alk reads .1 low pretty consistently, its just something to keep in mind, I'm much more concerned with consistent results than the absolute number. If you are getting lots of variation between tests, I would suspect a couple things. The most probable is (1) messed up cuvettes, so it might be worth buying new ones. After that (2) inconsistency with your sample or reagent amounts. Buying a single channel adjustable micro pipette should fix this problem they aren't super cheap, but they tend to last and can be used to increase the precision of all your tests. After that I'd say inconsistent testing method, its important to preform the test (this goes for any testing you do) identically every time if you want better precision from the test, and finally maybe you just have a messed up Hanna Checker.
As far as completing the Phosphate test in time, prepare the reagent packet ahead of time, get it opened and shaped into a funnel before you even hit C1. Once you are ready place the cuvette into the checker and when you hit the C1 button start a timer (I use the stopwatch on my phone), give yourself 1 minute to pull the cuvette out and dump the pre-prepared reagent into it. Then shake gently for two minutes (I shake for 1:40 and then swirl/invert for the last 20 seconds to eliminate micro bubbles, but whatever you do be consistent in how you preform the test!!), for a total of 3 minutes since hitting C1. Then place back in the checker and press and hold the button. The key is figuring out how to prepare the reagent packet ahead of time so its easy for you while you are trying to beat the timer. Like I said in my previous post there are guides online you can find. Good luck, hope this helps!

Thanks for the response. It might be the vials or a bad Hanna......that seems like the most logical answer. Water amounts are exact every time as well as testing process from test to test. I definitely am not new to testing....have been doing this for 10-15 years but I am new to the Hanna; however the Hanna tests the Trident solution high where it is dead on with Salifert and RedSea. As far as the phosphate test....I will have to switch back to one vial and see if that makes a difference. I knew that was probably an issue but again everything seemed to be testing correctly in the beginning. I just don't know why they have the phosphate tester auto shutoff that quickly when you are dealing with such a small window to get everything completed. I agree with consistency over actual numbers......if it tested consistently high from the beginning this wouldn't be such an issue. The problem is it tested very accurately the first couple of months I used it and then all of a sudden started reading high....which caused me to question my other testing methods.

 

[Dana Riddle]

I like the Hanna Alk Checker. Here's why:

Alkalinity Test Showdown!

Here's a short article concerning testing of alkalinity.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[ppatches24]

I like their Phosphate checkers, I dont trust their Alk checkers though, different results with different lot#s of reagent, undissoved bits floating in reagent throwing off results etc etc

I have never had problems with inconsistency with Salifert or redsea alk tests like I have with hanna.

When you suck up your reagent for the salifert alk test, do you put the liquid at .85 or .95 and the bottom black part of the plunger at 1?

I just got one and have not found a clear answer on either way.

 

[madweazl]

They've been close enough for me (one or two refills used...).

Alkalinity Parameters

Value	Date
Sat	Jan 25, 2020 10:30	6.6 dKH
Sun	Jan 12, 2020 10:41	7.4 dKH
Sat	Jan 4, 2020 15:35	7.6 dKH
Sat	Dec 28, 2019 09:24	8.5 dKH
Sat	Dec 21, 2019 14:01	8.5 dKH
Fri	Dec 20, 2019 09:45	8.4 dKH
Tue	Dec 17, 2019 15:00	7.8 dKH
Sat	Dec 7, 2019 12:14	7.6 dKH
Sat	Nov 30, 2019 10:11	8.3 dKH
Sat	Nov 23, 2019 12:07	7.7 dKH
Thu	Nov 21, 2019 16:37	7.4 dKH
Tue	Nov 19, 2019 16:48	7.3 dKH
Mon	Nov 18, 2019 10:33	7.6 dKH
Sat	Nov 16, 2019 11:32	7.7 dKH
Thu	Nov 14, 2019 16:33	7.3 dKH
Wed	Nov 13, 2019 19:19	6.8 dKH
Tue	Nov 12, 2019 15:01	7.2 dKH
Sun	Nov 10, 2019 10:05	7.0 dKH
Sat	Nov 9, 2019 10:20	6.3 dKH
Mon	Nov 4, 2019 12:44	6.8 dKH
Mon	Nov 4, 2019 11:03	6.6 dKH
Sat	Oct 26, 2019 10:23	7.1 dKH
Sun	Oct 20, 2019 14:52	7.3 dKH
Sat	Oct 19, 2019 10:46	7.3 dKH
Sat	Oct 12, 2019 10:11	7.1 dKH
Sat	Sep 28, 2019 10:28	6.9 dKH
Sat	Sep 14, 2019 10:31	7.7 dKH
Sat	Sep 7, 2019 10:03	7.3 dKH
Sat	Aug 31, 2019 15:07	6.9 dKH
Fri	Aug 16, 2019 11:28	7.3 dKH
Sat	Jul 27, 2019 12:17	7.6 dKH
Mon	Jul 15, 2019 16:06	7.6 dKH
Sat	Jul 6, 2019 06:50	7.8 dKH
Sat	Jun 29, 2019 16:40	7.6 dKH
Mon	Jun 24, 2019 10:07	7.1 dKH
Fri	Jun 14, 2019 07:38	7.1 dKH
Sat	Jun 8, 2019 11:35	7.6 dKH
Sat	Jun 1, 2019 10:05	7.6 dKH
Sat	May 25, 2019 10:09	7.7 dKH
Sun	May 19, 2019 10:25	7.4 dKH
Sat	May 11, 2019 11:42	7.8 dKH
Sat	May 4, 2019 07:32	7.6 dKH
Tue	Apr 30, 2019 16:25	7.1 dKH
Mon	Apr 29, 2019 06:43	7.4 dKH
Sat	Apr 27, 2019 06:11	7.1 dKH
Sat	Apr 20, 2019 06:57	7.8 dKH
Sat	Apr 13, 2019 08:49	7.6 dKH
Sat	Apr 6, 2019 06:05	7.3 dKH
Sat	Mar 30, 2019 06:32	6.8 dKH
Sun	Mar 24, 2019 06:08	7.2 dKH
Sat	Mar 16, 2019 06:22	7.2 dKH
Sat	Mar 9, 2019 05:18	6.6 dKH
Sat	Mar 2, 2019 07:07	6.8 dKH
Sat	Feb 23, 2019 08:43	6.8 dKH
Sat	Feb 16, 2019 05:21	6.7 dKH
Fri	Feb 15, 2019 06:18	6.8 dKH
Thu	Feb 14, 2019 05:18	6.4 dKH
Sat	Feb 9, 2019 07:03	6.4 dKH
Tue	Feb 5, 2019 11:11	6.6 dKH
Sat	Feb 2, 2019 04:59	6.9 dKH
Fri	Feb 1, 2019 12:08	6.8 dKH
Fri	Feb 1, 2019 06:05	7.2 dKH
Thu	Jan 31, 2019 11:52	7.0 dKH
Wed	Jan 30, 2019 04:38	7.5 dKH
Tue	Jan 29, 2019 05:47	7.8 dKH
Mon	Jan 28, 2019 07:22	7.8 dKH
Sun	Jan 27, 2019 07:24	7.4 dKH
Sat	Jan 26, 2019 04:50	6.9 dKH
Fri	Jan 25, 2019 10:27	6.9 dKH
Thu	Jan 24, 2019 11:23	6.8 dKH
Wed	Jan 23, 2019 11:29	6.6 dKH
Tue	Jan 22, 2019 11:17	6.9 dKH
Mon	Jan 21, 2019 07:33	7.2 dKH
Sat	Jan 19, 2019 05:40	6.5 dKH
Wed	Jan 16, 2019 11:37	6.8 dKH
Sat	Jan 12, 2019 04:27	6.7 dKH
Sat	Jan 5, 2019 05:43	6.7 dKH
Sat	Dec 29, 2018 04:57	7.1 dKH
Thu	Dec 27, 2018 10:16	7.2 dKH
Sat	Dec 22, 2018 05:31	6.4 dKH
Mon	Dec 17, 2018 11:00	6.1 dKH
Sat	Dec 15, 2018 07:35	5.9 dKH
Sat	Dec 1, 2018 06:16	6.6 dKH
Sun	Nov 25, 2018 04:59	7.0 dKH
Sat	Nov 17, 2018 11:26	7.1 dKH
Wed	Nov 14, 2018 12:51	6.8 dKH
Sat	Nov 10, 2018 09:22	6.8 dKH
Fri	Nov 9, 2018 06:39	6.7 dKH
Wed	Oct 31, 2018 06:27	6.9 dKH
Sat	Oct 27, 2018 06:47	7.0 dKH
Sat	Oct 20, 2018 10:34	6.9 dKH
Sat	Oct 13, 2018 06:45	7.3 dKH
Sat	Oct 6, 2018 12:56	7.3 dKH
Sat	Sep 29, 2018 12:00	7.3 dKH
Thu	Sep 27, 2018 10:17	7.3 dKH
Sun	Sep 23, 2018 04:51	7.1 dKH
Sat	Sep 15, 2018 05:02	7.4 dKH
Thu	Sep 13, 2018 11:47	7.4 dKH
Tue	Sep 11, 2018 12:07	7.4 dKH
Mon	Sep 10, 2018 13:15	7.9 dKH
Sat	Sep 8, 2018 16:12	8.5 dKH
Sat	Sep 8, 2018 09:29	7.6 dKH
Sat	Sep 1, 2018 07:43	7.6 dKH
Tue	Aug 28, 2018 10:40	7.8 dKH
Sat	Aug 25, 2018 04:18	8.2 dKH
Wed	Aug 22, 2018 14:27	8.0 dKH
Tue	Aug 21, 2018 14:18	8.1 dKH
Sat	Aug 18, 2018 08:07	8.1 dKH
Wed	Aug 15, 2018 13:58	7.8 dKH
Tue	Aug 14, 2018 11:16	7.8 dKH
Thu	Aug 2, 2018 05:33	7.7 dKH
Sat	Jul 28, 2018 07:50	7.4 dKH
Wed	Jul 25, 2018 13:16	7.3 dKH
Sun	Jul 22, 2018 06:00	7.6 dKH
Sat	Jul 14, 2018 06:22	7.4 dKH
Wed	Jul 11, 2018 12:19	7.4 dKH
Sat	Jul 7, 2018 08:26	7.2 dKH
Sat	Jun 30, 2018 05:17	7.5 dKH
Wed	Jun 27, 2018 14:16	7.4 dKH
Sun	Jun 24, 2018 04:58	7.7 dKH
Sat	Jun 23, 2018 08:41	7.6 dKH
Sat	Jun 16, 2018 05:50	7.3 dKH
Sat	Jun 9, 2018 06:48	7.3 dKH
Sat	Jun 2, 2018 04:10	7.5 dKH
Sun	May 27, 2018 03:45	7.4 dKH
Sun	May 20, 2018 08:46	7.6 dKH
Wed	May 16, 2018 15:19	7.3 dKH
Sun	May 13, 2018 03:25	7.7 dKH
Thu	May 10, 2018 14:05	7.5 dKH
Tue	May 8, 2018 14:01	7.4 dKH
Sun	May 6, 2018 05:30	7.2 dKH
Sat	May 5, 2018 04:18	7.0 dKH
Sat	Apr 21, 2018 07:01	7.4 dKH
Wed	Apr 18, 2018 07:16	7.6 dKH
Sun	Apr 15, 2018 05:35	7.2 dKH
Sat	Apr 7, 2018 09:57	7.3 dKH
Wed	Apr 4, 2018 06:49	7.6 dKH
Sun	Apr 1, 2018 06:55	7.4 dKH
Wed	Mar 28, 2018 12:57	7.6 dKH
Sat	Mar 24, 2018 12:11	7.7 dKH
Tue	Mar 20, 2018 07:16	8.0 dKH
Sat	Mar 17, 2018 06:45	7.8 dKH
Fri	Mar 16, 2018 12:59	7.8 dKH
Sun	Mar 11, 2018 05:47	8.1 dKH
Sat	Mar 10, 2018 02:24	7.9 dKH
Sat	Mar 3, 2018 15:01	7.8 dKH
Tue	Feb 27, 2018 14:42	7.9 dKH
Sat	Feb 24, 2018 05:51	7.6 dKH
Wed	Feb 21, 2018 11:45	7.7 dKH
Sat	Feb 17, 2018 07:53	7.7 dKH
Wed	Feb 14, 2018 10:42	7.6 dKH
Mon	Feb 12, 2018 10:40	7.9 dKH
Sat	Feb 10, 2018 03:48	7.6 dKH
Thu	Feb 8, 2018 08:38	7.6 dKH
Tue	Feb 6, 2018 05:37	7.7 dKH
Sat	Feb 3, 2018 07:18	7.6 dKH
Thu	Feb 1, 2018 08:10	7.6 dKH
Wed	Jan 31, 2018 14:01	7.7 dKH
Tue	Jan 30, 2018 07:55	7.9 dKH
Sun	Jan 28, 2018 08:39	7.9 dKH
Sat	Jan 27, 2018 12:54	7.8 dKH
Fri	Jan 26, 2018 07:15	7.8 dKH
Wed	Jan 24, 2018 14:35	7.6 dKH
Tue	Jan 23, 2018 13:37	7.6 dKH
Mon	Jan 22, 2018 13:25	7.8 dKH
Sun	Jan 21, 2018 07:07	7.8 dKH
Sat	Jan 20, 2018 05:55	7.7 dKH
Fri	Jan 19, 2018 14:58	7.6 dKH
Thu	Jan 18, 2018 13:35	7.7 dKH
Tue	Jan 16, 2018 13:14	7.9 dKH
Mon	Jan 15, 2018 06:53	8.0 dKH
Sat	Jan 13, 2018 11:16	8.2 dKH
Tue	Jan 9, 2018 11:16	8.2 dKH
Mon	Jan 8, 2018 11:16	8.4 dKH
Sun	Jan 7, 2018 11:16	8.5 dKH
Sat	Jan 6, 2018 11:16	8.2 dKH
Thu	Jan 4, 2018 11:16	8.5 dKH
Mon	Jan 1, 2018 11:16	8.6 dKH
Fri	Dec 29, 2017 13:25	7.9 dKH
Wed	Dec 27, 2017 13:25	8.2 dKH
Thu	Dec 21, 2017 13:25	7.7 dKH
Mon	Dec 18, 2017 13:29	7.6 dKH
Fri	Dec 15, 2017 13:29	7.0 dKH
Wed	Dec 13, 2017 13:29	6.9 dKH
Tue	Dec 12, 2017 13:29	7.0 dKH
Mon	Dec 11, 2017 13:29	7.1 dKH
Sat	Dec 9, 2017 13:29	6.4 dKH
Fri	Dec 1, 2017 13:29	7.2 dKH
Mon	Nov 27, 2017 13:29	7.4 dKH
Sat	Nov 25, 2017 13:29	7.0 dKH
Tue	Nov 21, 2017 13:29	7.1 dKH
Mon	Nov 20, 2017 13:29	6.8 dKH
Fri	Nov 17, 2017 13:29	7.3 dKH
Tue	Nov 7, 2017 13:29	8.2 dKH
Sun	Nov 5, 2017 13:42	7.9 dKH
Sat	Oct 28, 2017 14:46	7.8 dKH
Wed	Oct 25, 2017 14:46	7.4 dKH
Tue	Oct 24, 2017 14:46	7.4 dKH
Fri	Oct 20, 2017 14:46	7.8 dKH
Tue	Oct 17, 2017 14:46	7.4 dKH
Sat	Sep 23, 2017 14:46	8.3 dKH
Fri	Sep 22, 2017 14:46	8.3 dKH
Sat	Sep 9, 2017 14:46	8.0 dKH
Thu	Sep 7, 2017 14:46	8.0 dKH
Sun	Sep 3, 2017 14:46	8.3 dKH
Fri	Sep 1, 2017 14:46	8.0 dKH
Mon	Aug 28, 2017 15:01	8.6 dKH
Fri	Aug 25, 2017 15:01	8.8 dKH

Phosphate Parameters

Value	Date
Sat	Jan 25, 2020 10:53	0.08 ppm
Sat	Dec 28, 2019 09:46	0.10 ppm
Sat	Dec 21, 2019 14:26	0.10 ppm
Tue	Dec 17, 2019 15:32	0.09 ppm
Sat	Dec 7, 2019 12:44	0.13 ppm
Sat	Nov 30, 2019 10:43	0.09 ppm
Sat	Nov 23, 2019 13:33	0.08 ppm
Sat	Nov 16, 2019 12:07	0.10 ppm
Sat	Nov 9, 2019 11:02	0.09 ppm
Mon	Nov 4, 2019 11:31	0.08 ppm
Sat	Oct 26, 2019 10:47	0.10 ppm
Sun	Oct 20, 2019 15:16	0.08 ppm
Sat	Oct 12, 2019 10:23	0.13 ppm
Sat	Sep 28, 2019 10:52	0.10 ppm
Sat	Sep 14, 2019 10:50	0.13 ppm
Sat	Sep 7, 2019 10:22	0.14 ppm
Sat	Aug 31, 2019 15:25	0.11 ppm
Fri	Aug 16, 2019 11:47	0.14 ppm
Sat	Jul 27, 2019 12:32	0.09 ppm
Mon	Jul 15, 2019 16:24	0.09 ppm
Sat	Jul 6, 2019 07:11	0.09 ppm
Sat	Jun 29, 2019 17:04	0.10 ppm
Mon	Jun 24, 2019 10:28	0.13 ppm
Fri	Jun 14, 2019 08:01	0.11 ppm
Sat	Jun 8, 2019 11:46	0.08 ppm
Sat	Jun 1, 2019 10:29	0.13 ppm
Sat	May 25, 2019 10:33	0.17 ppm
Sun	May 19, 2019 10:53	0.09 ppm
Sat	May 11, 2019 12:04	0.25 ppm
Sat	May 4, 2019 07:54	0.24 ppm
Sat	Apr 27, 2019 06:36	0.23 ppm
Sat	Apr 20, 2019 07:14	0.22 ppm
Sat	Apr 13, 2019 09:15	0.20 ppm
Sat	Apr 6, 2019 06:26	0.14 ppm
Sat	Mar 30, 2019 06:55	0.17 ppm
Sun	Mar 24, 2019 06:26	0.09 ppm
Sat	Mar 16, 2019 06:50	0.11 ppm
Sat	Mar 9, 2019 05:39	0.10 ppm
Sat	Mar 2, 2019 07:29	0.18 ppm
Sat	Feb 23, 2019 08:53	0.08 ppm
Sat	Feb 16, 2019 05:50	0.10 ppm
Thu	Feb 14, 2019 06:20	0.11 ppm
Sat	Feb 9, 2019 07:30	0.09 ppm
Tue	Feb 5, 2019 11:25	0.08 ppm
Mon	Feb 4, 2019 07:22	0.10 ppm
Sat	Feb 2, 2019 05:24	0.09 ppm
Fri	Feb 1, 2019 12:22	0.10 ppm
Fri	Feb 1, 2019 06:13	0.10 ppm
Thu	Jan 31, 2019 12:02	0.14 ppm
Wed	Jan 30, 2019 04:51	0.10 ppm
Tue	Jan 29, 2019 05:56	0.09 ppm
Mon	Jan 28, 2019 07:19	0.09 ppm
Sun	Jan 27, 2019 07:25	0.11 ppm
Sat	Jan 26, 2019 05:18	0.05 ppm
Fri	Jan 25, 2019 10:36	0.19 ppm
Thu	Jan 24, 2019 11:46	0.09 ppm
Wed	Jan 23, 2019 11:57	0.07 ppm
Tue	Jan 22, 2019 11:26	0.07 ppm
Mon	Jan 21, 2019 07:48	0.10 ppm
Sat	Jan 19, 2019 06:01	0.10 ppm
Fri	Jan 18, 2019 10:43	0.10 ppm
Thu	Jan 17, 2019 11:32	0.12 ppm
Wed	Jan 16, 2019 11:45	0.23 ppm
Sat	Jan 12, 2019 04:46	0.23 ppm
Sat	Jan 5, 2019 06:22	0.20 ppm
Sat	Dec 29, 2018 05:14	0.20 ppm
Sat	Dec 22, 2018 05:49	0.20 ppm
Sat	Dec 15, 2018 07:51	0.15 ppm
Sat	Dec 1, 2018 06:41	0.15 ppm
Sun	Nov 25, 2018 05:31	0.11 ppm
Sat	Nov 17, 2018 11:49	0.12 ppm
Wed	Nov 14, 2018 13:02	0.19 ppm
Sat	Nov 10, 2018 09:31	0.15 ppm
Fri	Nov 9, 2018 07:40	0.16 ppm
Thu	Nov 1, 2018 10:37	0.12 ppm
Wed	Oct 31, 2018 06:58	0.19 ppm
Mon	Oct 29, 2018 09:51	0.20 ppm
Sat	Oct 27, 2018 07:14	0.26 ppm
Sat	Oct 20, 2018 10:50	0.13 ppm
Sat	Oct 13, 2018 07:11	0.05 ppm
Sat	Oct 6, 2018 13:23	0.06 ppm
Sat	Sep 29, 2018 12:21	0.07 ppm
Sun	Sep 23, 2018 05:25	0.05 ppm
Sat	Sep 15, 2018 05:29	0.07 ppm
Sat	Sep 8, 2018 09:38	0.04 ppm
Sat	Sep 1, 2018 08:03	0.06 ppm
Sat	Aug 25, 2018 04:36	0.06 ppm
Wed	Aug 22, 2018 14:47	0.12 ppm
Sat	Aug 18, 2018 08:30	0.09 ppm
Tue	Aug 14, 2018 11:40	0.05 ppm
Thu	Aug 2, 2018 06:18	0.05 ppm
Sat	Jul 28, 2018 08:15	0.04 ppm
Sun	Jul 22, 2018 06:21	0.03 ppm
Sat	Jul 14, 2018 06:45	0.02 ppm
Sat	Jul 7, 2018 08:40	0.04 ppm
Sat	Jun 30, 2018 05:41	0.03 ppm
Wed	Jun 27, 2018 14:37	0.03 ppm
Sun	Jun 24, 2018 05:11	0.01 ppm
Sat	Jun 23, 2018 09:05	0.06 ppm
Sat	Jun 16, 2018 06:14	0.06 ppm
Sat	Jun 9, 2018 07:12	0.04 ppm
Sat	Jun 2, 2018 04:35	0.03 ppm
Sun	May 27, 2018 03:59	0.04 ppm
Sun	May 20, 2018 09:09	0.07 ppm
Sun	May 13, 2018 03:59	0.05 ppm
Sat	May 5, 2018 04:42	0.08 ppm
Sat	Apr 21, 2018 11:16	0.06 ppm
Sun	Apr 15, 2018 05:57	0.05 ppm
Sat	Apr 7, 2018 10:21	0.06 ppm
Sun	Apr 1, 2018 07:31	0.05 ppm
Sat	Mar 24, 2018 12:32	0.05 ppm
Sat	Mar 17, 2018 07:10	0.06 ppm
Sat	Mar 10, 2018 02:49	0.05 ppm
Sat	Mar 3, 2018 15:21	0.07 ppm
Sat	Feb 24, 2018 06:05	0.05 ppm
Sat	Feb 17, 2018 08:19	0.05 ppm
Sat	Feb 10, 2018 04:40	0.05 ppm
Sat	Feb 3, 2018 07:39	0.07 ppm
Sat	Jan 27, 2018 13:40	0.04 ppm
Sat	Jan 20, 2018 06:34	0.05 ppm
Sat	Jan 13, 2018 13:17	0.05 ppm
Thu	Dec 21, 2017 13:28	0.06 ppm
Tue	Nov 21, 2017 13:37	0.05 ppm
Sun	Nov 5, 2017 13:44	0.06 ppm
Tue	Oct 17, 2017 14:49	0.06 ppm
Fri	Sep 22, 2017 14:49	0.03 ppm
Thu	Sep 7, 2017 14:49	0.15 ppm
Fri	Aug 25, 2017 15:02	0.10 ppm

 

[Pdash]

Thanks for the response. It might be the vials or a bad Hanna......that seems like the most logical answer. Water amounts are exact every time as well as testing process from test to test. I definitely am not new to testing....have been doing this for 10-15 years but I am new to the Hanna; however the Hanna tests the Trident solution high where it is dead on with Salifert and RedSea. As far as the phosphate test....I will have to switch back to one vial and see if that makes a difference. I knew that was probably an issue but again everything seemed to be testing correctly in the beginning. I just don't know why they have the phosphate tester auto shutoff that quickly when you are dealing with such a small window to get everything completed. I agree with consistency over actual numbers......if it tested consistently high from the beginning this wouldn't be such an issue. The problem is it tested very accurately the first couple of months I used it and then all of a sudden started reading high....which caused me to question my other testing methods.

It's likely that your initial tests were accurate because the cuvettes were pristine so there was no error introduced when swapping them. Once they were scuffed up a bit that is no longer the case and swapping vials throws off your testing.

 

[Heart of Dixie]

Alk , ph & ULR phosphate work well for me. However I retired the CA quickly and went back to Red Sea Pro.

 

[Pdash]

Alk , ph & ULR phosphate work well for me. However I retired the CA quickly and went back to Red Sea Pro.

Yeah the calcium checker seems pointless unless you are color blind or something.

 

[ca1ore]

I have alkalinity, calcium and phosphate. I only really use the alkalinity tester and like it, though I find that it reads high. Consistently high, so thats something I suppose. Calcium tester I don’t use. I find it almost impossible to get reproducable readings. I’ve gone back to API. Phosphate is OK, and I use it occasionally. Not a fan of the pouches; too easy to spill some powder and throw off the measurement.

 

[Crabby48]

I like the alkalinity tester but I am not a fan of the phosphate tester. Phosphate checker has little pouches of powder for you to spill everywhere and constantly question if you got it all in the vial. The alkalinity checker was the best thing since sliced bread... until I got a magnetic stirrer. I test with titration (Red Sea) if I need a quick result and hanna about once a week. For the alkalinity checker I would say it is pretty simple but there needs to be a strict methodology.

I found some variance was fairly heavily swayed by a few things: Any smudges on the vials, lighting and testing in the same location, keeping the reagent container open for any amount of time and my inability to read a dosing syringe correctly for... 3 years. If you hate titration, go for it.

Did you cut the packet on the line. It makes a funnel to pour it in the vial. No mess. My problem is forgetting to read it and it times out. Needs a alarm lol