Hanna alk reagent storage? Refrigeration needed?

[Miami Reef]

Does the alk reagent need to be refrigerated to maintain accuracy?

 

[Science/G]

Not required, but they recommend a cool spot. Probably safe in a cabinet in the AC. It is probably a better practice to refrigerate it though.

 

[rishma]

I think there was a thread on this with some experiments done. I think someone showed a needle service piecing the seal will keep the reagent unspoiled for long term at room temp. @Miami Reef your skills are next level, bet you can find it.

I refrigerate after twice messing up my all due to erroneous tests.

 

[BriDroid]

Mine stays pretty consistent at room temp once opened. Granted we keep our house 68ish in the winter and 70ish in the summer, so cool. I usually order a few bottles at a time and I do keep the unopened bottles in the garage refrigerator until I open them.

 

[jimk60]

I have been keeping mine in the fridge for the last couple years. Seems to help but it's hard to tell for sure. I also discard any leftover reagent after it's open for three months. That might make a difference as well

 

[John Neuzil]

Many folks have reported that it helps

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I agree that no matter what Hanna says, many folks think it helps.

 

[Miami Reef]

I think someone showed a needle service piecing the seal will keep the reagent unspoiled for long term at room temp. @Miami Reef your skills are next level, bet you can find it.

Is this it?

since i no longer remove the seal cap and use a syringe with a needle to take the 1ml.
i have the impression that it is more stable...
the shift seems smaller. (Gap between old and new bottle)
No refrigeration ...
but i didn't document it...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stability-of-hanna-alkalinity-reagent.1069334/

 

[WilFresco]

I didn't even know refrigerating them was an option

 

[KStatefan]

Is this it?


https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/stability-of-hanna-alkalinity-reagent.1069334/

No it is a thread by @Lasse

I keep my in a fridge. I have a dorm fridge in the basement near the tank.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Does the alk reagent need to be refrigerated to maintain accuracy?

In my experience yes.

@Lasse had a thread about it a couple of years ago.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i...-for-hanna-marine-alkalinity-checkers.893762/

 

[Dan_P]

Does the alk reagent need to be refrigerated to maintain accuracy?

Might be an issue that no longer exists. I ran a stability test which I shared on R2R and found no change after about six months (can’t remember exactly).

Some folks find no change, some do. This issue is starting to feel like one of mass hysteria.

The reagent does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. It would not hurt if you did. By the way, I found the Hanna test to be off by a small fixed amount. I never followed up on this issue.

If you are going to lose sleep over this, prepare a standard and test the reagent every so often. Or compare the Hanna results to acid titration with an acid of known concentration.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Not required, but they recommend a cool spot. Probably safe in a cabinet in the AC. It is probably a better practice to refrigerate it though.

Not required - but will likely increase the lifespan if you use it slowly -- all things considered.

I it is assumed to be Bromocresol Green with HCL or H2S04 (@Dan_P ?)

Oxygen exposure breaks down the dye and changes the PH (from what I gather).

Heat can speed the process.

Light also causes degradation.

 

[BeanAnimal]

There is what? 30ML in the bottle?

Why not draw it all up into a decent syringe with a little rubber cap. Keep it in a dark place or use an amber syringe. No air :)

Me - I just don't bother with the Alk checker - I think it is finicky trash :)

 

[gbroadbridge]

Might be an issue that no longer exists. I ran a stability test which I shared on R2R and found no change after about six months (can’t remember exactly).

Some folks find no change, some do. This issue is starting to feel like one of mass hysteria.

It was certainly real for me and I ended up tossing many half full bottles of reagent before the issue was identified.

Admittedly I live where it is sometimes hot and humid, otherwise just humid.

At the end of the day I tossed the Hanna checker and purchased a bottle of Hanna 0.1N HCl and a pH Meter and use that as my baseline.

Day to day I use salifert which is similar but more convenient.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thanks everyone for the input.

It seems like there’s no harm in refrigerating it. At best, it will prolong the accuracy, so why not?

I don’t use Hanna for alkalinity. I prefer Red Sea and titration methods, but I’m about to run out of reagent, and my delivery will be next week.

I did some cleaning and found my old Hanna alk tester. I saw amazon had refills that would be delivered today, and thought It’d be fun to try it again.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Been using the alk checker for almost a year straight (twice a week) since restarting in the hobby. On the 4th bottle and no issues to report storing at room temp. (75 degrees)

 

[areefer01]

Might be an issue that no longer exists. I ran a stability test which I shared on R2R and found no change after about six months (can’t remember exactly).

Tend to agree. Also I admit that I am generalizing here but in my opinion it seems there is a lot of angst or anxiety over test results or large swings of a result. It goes without saying but these are hobby grade test kits but even then it is easy enough to repeat the test once or twice more to determine anomalies.

If you are going to lose sleep over this,

There are better things to lose sleep over...

 

[Reefer Matt]

I did a video on this. I just swirl it every time, no refrigeration. I showed a near empty bottle reading next to a freshly opened one. It doesn’t hurt to refrigerate it, but it’s not required in my experience.

 

[GuppyHJD]

It was certainly real for me and I ended up tossing many half full bottles of reagent before the issue was identified.

Admittedly I live where it is sometimes hot and humid, otherwise just humid.

At the end of the day I tossed the Hanna checker and purchased a bottle of Hanna 0.1N HCl and a pH Meter and use that as my baseline.

Day to day I use salifert which is similar but more convenient.

Can you explain the Hanna 0.1N HCI and pH meter?