Glad I didn't rush out and get one...
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
The tips I got in this kit were also bad, they are suppose to fit tightly on the syringes. The first test I ran the tip fell off while I was aspirating the reagent, that was fun to fish out. I used a spare tip I had from another Hanna checker reagent kit and it was fine. All 3 from the Magnesium kit were too loose.I think this causes more harm than good. Its hard to get a good seal on these. Im going to try to run a test without the tips.
I think the purpose of the tips is just so you don’t dip the syringe into the reagent when your aspirating, would reduce likelihood of contact with your hand when dispensing into the cuvette, I could be wrong though.I pushed the little piece of airline tubing that holds the syringe in the tip down a bit more. This does help to make it tighter. This unfortunately does not make the checker anymore accurate and I still was getting high results. I just think the tips are useless themselves since we don't have to do any type of titration here.
Yeah it does make sense. I still think it's better to just not use the tips. Just be extra careful I guess. I'm going to try this when I get home and see if it helps but I don't know if it will help that much.I think the purpose of the tips is just so you don’t dip the syringe into the reagent when your aspirating, would reduce likelihood of contact with your hand when dispensing into the cuvette, I could be wrong though.
I just did two tests without the tips and got results of 1675 and 1690 which is better than the 1800+ I have been consistently getting when using the tips, but still ~300 higher than the actual levels. I guess when I use the tips they suck in some air even if I go slowly.I think this causes more harm than good. Its hard to get a good seal on these. Im going to try to run a test without the tips.
Thats what I was afraid of. Thanks for saving me the trouble.I just did two tests without the tips and got results of 1675 and 1690 which is better than the 1800+ I have been consistently getting when using the tips, but still ~300 higher than the actual levels. I guess when I use the tips they suck in some air even if I go slowly.
It would be best to test it using a reference solution like the ones that Fauna Marin or ATI make. I’ve tested mine using the Fauna Marin solution and it gave readings that were 150-250ppm higher that what was on the label.I too got a crazy high reading (1550+) on my first attempt with the new Mag checker. Came here, did some reading, went back and made sure the syringe tips were tight, made sure there were no drops on the outside of the tips, made sure I wasn't leaving drops in the tip, tried to be as precise about it as possible.
Two more tests with the Hanna gave 1440 and 1425 - seems close enough to call "consistent".
Problem is, Salifert sez 1350 (which it has said consistently for months now) and ATI ICP says 1283. So who to believe?
I sent mine back already or I would try this, but I don’t think it’ll solve the issue—atleast with the specified volumes. After getting 2 rather high readings, the first thing I did to troubleshoot was remove the tips and use the syringes only to make sure there were no air bubbles and the volumes were precise.Do me a favor and redo a test. When Reagent A draws air, you get less of Reagent A in the test pushing the numbers high. Try running a test using the tip but using 5 ml of Reagent A. This will allow for error when drawing up Reagent A. Please let me know how this works for you. I think they created the instructions of 4 ml of A based on lab grade equipment, not regular guys doing the test at home, with plastic tips that suck in air and with all the errors we create. Try 5 ml of Reagent A and let me know how it goes for you.
Interesting… so just to clarify:Mine tests are spot on with 5 ML of Reagent A. 1660 with 4 ML.
So if this is the case, will there be enough reagent to complete 25 test?Mine tests are spot on with 5 ML of Reagent A. 1660 with 4 ML.
I got 1300. All other tests kits come up about 50 more which this is an improvement over the 300 over that I was getting. But I don't think this is the solution. I tried using 5ml of 1 and then 5ml of tank water and 1 ml of 2 and got high results. Tried with tips off and got wacky results. Tried all combos of tips on and off and less ml or more ml and got varying results. We cant trust these results if the tools that are provided with this kit are not working as intended and we have to play around with measurement of reagents and water to get the result we want to see. I can to that with salifert... if I add less of reagent 2 (powder) I can rig the result. I was thinking of just hot gluing the tips onto the syringes but I have ran out of reagent 2. I now have a very expensive paper weight and a cool project box to build something with. I also have 2 new cuvettes that the 10ml marking and lettering has been erased. I dont see this getting fixed in the near future as Hanna has not responded to any of the threads. They are very responsive when you call. But there's a wait to get a replacement. In the meantime they have not pulled the checkers from stores. Just sell them and we will exchange them later is there motto now.Mine tests are spot on with 5 ML of Reagent A. 1660 with 4 ML.
I definitely think there's something wrong with these syringes and tips. They are cheap and who knows if the markings are accurate. They have started to rub off. I cant see the lines clearly anymore. The only 1 that is still clear is the 5ml blue 1.Could be a solution if it is the tips causing the inaccuracy?