Hanna Calcium checker reading high

[Surfandturf]

So a quick update on the Calcium checker...This thing beyond sucks. Buyer beware. The case that this comes in looks as though it will hold everything after it is open, and technically it does. But with one exception, the bottle of reagent will become compressed and leak out all over everything! As I said before the dkh is spot on with repeatable results. The calcium checker is strait up garbage.

 

[OldSalty]

So a quick update on the Calcium checker...This thing beyond sucks. Buyer beware. The case that this comes in looks as though it will hold everything after it is open, and technically it does. But with one exception, the bottle of reagent will become compressed and leak out all over everything! As I said before the dkh is spot on with repeatable results. The calcium checker is strait up garbage

I also think this calcium checker is CRAP. Just tested my tank 3 times and got 3 different results. BTW, is you rip the foam from the case then it will close and not put pressure on the bottle. I am going to contact hanna on monday the 15th to find out about this checker

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

interesting results here. I was able to replicate my test results 3 consecutive times with my hannah calcium checker. I am using the deionized water from Hannah with great results.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I just used my hanna to check the calcium last night and it read 588! got a little scared and checked it with the Salifert that I was using previously, and it gave me 380. going to try it again tonight. I was using RODI water. as some were saying with a pipette that has a sensible click on it...… mine didn't come with one. it has a small syringe that you use to draw the reagent with and a dropper to add the RODI water with until you get to the 10ml level. then I read to add .1ml of tank water. is this correct? or do I just don't know how to read correctly? haha

 

[jsker]

I just used my hanna to check the calcium last night and it read 588! got a little scared and checked it with the Salifert that I was using previously, and it gave me 380. going to try it again tonight. I was using RODI water. as some were saying with a pipette that has a sensible click on it...… mine didn't come with one. it has a small syringe that you use to draw the reagent with and a dropper to add the RODI water with until you get to the 10ml level. then I read to add .1ml of tank water. is this correct? or do I just don't know how to read correctly? haha

I have found that by using clean reagent tips and distilled water with the calcium test, my reading are more consistent. I used to have some crazy results until I changed.

 

[gotmesalty77]

I was getting sky high numbers as well then i learned I needed to use distilled water when testing. Not sure if helped or not still kind of high but not nearly as high as before.

 

[Auto-pilot]

I use mine and have consistent tests. I use rodi i got from the store and make sure i clean everything really well after i use my kit and it has worked great for me
I will say that other tests are cheaper and easyer to use

 

[gotmesalty77]

I use mine and have consistent tests. I use rodi i got from the store and make sure i clean everything really well after i use my kit and it has worked great for me
I will say that other tests are cheaper and easyer to use

Whats your cleaning process. I'd like to add better cleaning to my testing process

 

[Auto-pilot]

I make sure the sample pipit thing is clean by running rodi water trough it. Also make sure the glass vials are clear of any smudges and oil as well as rinsing it out with rodi.
ive also cleaned them with just dish soap

 

[Auto-pilot]

ALSO something I just thought of as i'm using my tester right now. I was having a ton of issues when I first had it until I made one change. I kept switching the vials around because I would test everything at once. Keep your calcium vials with your calcium test.If you do that the amount of salt water in that vial is small and you have very little tank water residue. If you switch it around there is a WAY higher chance that the vial is a little contaminated making your test results all wacky.

 

[Phil D.]

I like my Hanna Ca and Alk checkers. I clean the vials and the sample pipette for the Ca checker with RO/DI water. I use RO/DI water for the check. I make sure I rinse everything before and after with RO/DI and I get consistent results. Also, be sure to wipe the inside of the vial with a lint free cloth, and during the test to make sure fingerprints are not there.

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

sounds good, ill give it a shot again...… I was a little disappointed when it gave me weird readings on the first test, and then I had a sinking feeling of wasted money! haha hopefully round two will be better!

Thanks everyone for the advice!

 

[gotmesalty77]

ALSO something I just thought of as i'm using my tester right now. I was having a ton of issues when I first had it until I made one change. I kept switching the vials around because I would test everything at once. Keep your calcium vials with your calcium test.If you do that the amount of salt water in that vial is small and you have very little tank water residue. If you switch it around there is a WAY higher chance that the vial is a little contaminated making your test results all wacky.

That's definitely something I can start doing. I just got two new vials tonight actually . That makes prefect sense.

 

[jsker]

That's definitely something I can start doing. I just got two new vials tonight actually . That makes prefect sense.

I bought the maple syrup cuvette from Hanna, and use them to test. I also run the cuvettes through the dishwasher to clean with the high heat cycle. I then rinse the cuvettes with distilled water before testing. I bought a adjustable pipette with the disposable tips. This works really well ;)

 

[living_tribunal]

I just got this checker today and ran 4 tests, all pretty crazy results. Two of them I had the 10ml read incorrectly which results in the consistent 520 and 521 reading (pulled the 10ml syringe all the way up foolishly. The two readings in the 400s: 458 and 467 used the 10ml syringe correctly, everything else was spot on from what I can tell.

This is higher than my salts calc levels...