Hanna Marine Magnesium Checker HI783 Problems/Issues

[Wilsonbem]

There are several threads accumulating on the forums of people having issues w/new marine magnesium checker HI783. There are also some similar reports on the AskBRS facebook page--results several hundred points higher. I wanted to start a thread here in Hanna Instruments sub-forum to give Hanna a chance to see the reports of similar issues and address. I personally am despite about a dozen repeated tests using both factory instructions and varied testing procedures to ensure accuracy.

New Hanna Magnesium (HI783) Reviews

So Hanna emailed me back very quickly “Here are some tips the Aquariums manager put together which may be helpful. Repeatability issues are purely related to the quantity of reagent dispensed. In our experience, it just takes a little bit of practice getting used to dispensing the somewhat...

www.reef2reef.com

First impressions of Hanna Magnesium Checker HI783 (No more titration for me)

I'm, ok with high since all I'm looking for is above 1200. My tank is typically in the 1600 range anyways, and I never add mag. lol Sounds like you are best off not testing at all. lol Cheaper, easier, and you almost certainly will not get below 1200 ppm regardless of what you do. :)

www.reef2reef.com

If you are having/have had issues w/this new device please post here.

I have identified a fix fot the Mag Hii783. Follow instructions for reagent A and the 5ml sample. When adding reagent B it requires 1.1ml. 1ml gives high readings and 1.2ml low readings. Hanna UK are aware of this fix and are dealing with it

 

[Wilsonbem]

Hello, can somebody try this method as well. Don't use any tips, also make sure there is no air bubbles. Reagent A 3.5ml(vs2.5) saltwater 4.5(vs3.5) and reagent B 1ml. Do not use any tips, report back if these lign up with your actual readings. Mine line up with my icp 1620. Usually reading 1800 with tips.

Please read my post, see what you think, Hanna UK have confirmed it fixes the problem and will prob up the agent concentration. I believe all checkers and reagents were recalled from suppliers.

 

[mwilk19]

Please read my post, see what you think, Hanna UK have confirmed it fixes the problem and will prob up the agent concentration. I believe all checkers and reagents were recalled from suppliers.

I wonder if they have any plans to replace the reagent for those of us who have already purchased the checker?

 

[Wilsonbem]

I wonder if they have any plans to replace the reagent for those of us who have already purchased the checker?

I believe they will as they were wanting customers to retain their checker until a fix was found.

 

[ELChingonsReef]

I just saw something in Instagram saying that hanna has fixed the problem. I guess they found that one of the raw materials in the reagents goes bad Rather quickly. They are sending us new reagents. If you are on Instagram you have to click the link on the bio and it will redirect you to their website where you have to send them your information. But in my opinion bad reagents are only part of the problem. So according to the instructions from what I remember it's 4ml of reagent A and 5ml tank water. Well as for me when I use their plunger to suck up the reagents and tank water its always over 9ml then when I add reagent B it's over the line. YES I'm very careful to make sure I'm taking out the correct amount. I've done it many times with the same result. When I add reagent B it's over the line not by much but still its enough to make the test inaccurate. I don't think new reagents will completely fix this problem. The poor quality of tools in the kit is the other half of the problem in my opinion.

 

[Reefdiculous22]

Parker's Reef just did a review on the Hanna magnesium checker and it was over 1750 on his tank when it was testing @1350. Even a calibration sample @1310 hit the max of 1800.

Glad i didn't get one - these aren't even remotely accurate.

Wish I would have found this before I got mine. I haven’t even used it yet.

 

[mwilk19]

Wish I would have found this before I got mine. I haven’t even used it yet.

There’s new reagents coming to fix this issue.

 

[Coolcasino]

Hopefully this is the easy fix that we need. Let's see if they test it out before just sending it to us and we become the unpaid beta testers

 

[Coolcasino]

I just saw something in Instagram saying that hanna has fixed the problem. I guess they found that one of the raw materials in the reagents goes bad Rather quickly. They are sending us new reagents. If you are on Instagram you have to click the link on the bio and it will redirect you to their website where you have to send them your information. But in my opinion bad reagents are only part of the problem. So according to the instructions from what I remember it's 4ml of reagent A and 5ml tank water. Well as for me when I use their plunger to suck up the reagents and tank water its always over 9ml then when I add reagent B it's over the line. YES I'm very careful to make sure I'm taking out the correct amount. I've done it many times with the same result. When I add reagent B it's over the line not by much but still its enough to make the test inaccurate. I don't think new reagents will completely fix this problem. The poor quality of tools in the kit is the other half of the problem in my opinion.

Many of us have come to the conclusion that mark on the vials do not measure 10mls. They also wear off from cleaning I would agree that you're measuring correctly. I just have a 10 mil syringe and use that and ignore the markings on the vials. I can line up all my vials and the lines don't match. Hopefully they do include something better to draw the reagents but we will see. I don't even use the tip to draw reagent for my ALK checker. Will probably do the same with the MAG checker. Now the question is will we need to refrigerate this new reagent as I do with my ALK to keep it fresh. We shall see.

 

[Derrick0580]

I was unable to hit the submit button on the hanna website to give them my information and checker serial number, so I just sent them a generic product troubleshooting email from their contact us page so hopefully it gets added to the list of names needing new reagent even though I haven’t even opened my kit yet. Has anyone been using the 5ml reagent A method and getting close results on a regular basis?

 

[Wilsonbem]

I was unable to hit the submit button on the hanna website to give them my information and checker serial number, so I just sent them a generic product troubleshooting email from their contact us page so hopefully it gets added to the list of names needing new reagent even though I haven’t even opened my kit yet. Has anyone been using the 5ml reagent A method and getting close results on a regular basis?

I suggest stick to 4ml of agent A. 5ml sample. But when drawing up the agent B using the tip add 1.1ml. Just fill the syringe full pass the 1ml mark which is close to being 1.1ml. Results are close to icp.

 

[exnisstech]

I know this is a bit off topic but it relates to Hanna putting shoddy equipment in their kits. I recently purchased a nitrate test kit that requires 10ml tank water be added to the vial. So what is in the kit? A 3ml pipette to draw 10ml water. Fortunately I have 10ml syringes as I do not trust the lines on the vials. I just thought this was a crappy way to save a few dollars on their part

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I know this is a bit off topic but it relates to Hanna putting shoddy equipment in their kits. I recently purchased a nitrate test kit that requires 10ml tank water be added to the vial. So what is in the kit? A 3ml pipette to draw 10ml water. Fortunately I have 10ml syringes as I do not trust the lines on the vials. I just thought this was a crappy way to save a few dollars on their part

I thought that was silly too. Was gonna toss it but I might use as a back up for my salinity measurements

 

[wotis11]

I suggest stick to 4ml of agent A. 5ml sample. But when drawing up the agent B using the tip add 1.1ml. Just fill the syringe full pass the 1ml mark which is close to being 1.1ml. Results are close to icp.

I tried this and it came up with 1320. My trident, which is inline with my icp test, says 1338. I would say that is pretty darn close

 

[Coolcasino]

I thought that was silly too. Was gonna toss it but I might use as a back up for my salinity measurements

That's what I use it for. None of my vials measure 10mls.

 

[Coolcasino]

I tried this and it came up with 1320. My trident, which is inline with my icp test, says 1338. I would say that is pretty darn close

But can you trust it tho? Can you trust that you will always draw 1ml and a little ml more?

 

[Reefer_kano]

Im definitely going thru the same issue with my checker.
I talked to my LFS and they blamed it on the salt i was using but once i get home ill be cross testing everything to be 100%sure

 

[wotis11]

But can you trust it tho? Can you trust that you will always draw 1ml and a little ml more?

You can always draw up 1ml, empty it and draw up another .1ml. I know it’s a PITA but it’s a solution until Hanna figures one out. But to answer your question I still don’t trust it 100%. Although I did double check it with my Red Sea magnesium pro test kit and it was off by 40ppm. Which technically is still within the margin of error

 

[wotis11]

Im definitely going thru the same issue with my checker.
I talked to my LFS and they blamed it on the salt i was using but once i get home ill be cross testing everything to be 100%sure

That doesn’t even make any sense. How could the salt have anything to do with it? It’s testing for magnesium, not sodium chloride lol

 

[Wilsonbem]

You can always draw up 1ml, empty it and draw up another .1ml. I know it’s a PITA but it’s a solution until Hanna figures one out. But to answer your question I still don’t trust it 100%. Although I did double check it with my Red Sea magnesium pro test kit and it was off by 40ppm. Which technically is still within the margin of error

Yep 1.1ml is not an absolute answer, it could be 1.09 ish or 1.11ish. So its up to hanna to solve it... i understand they have found a problem with a component with the reagent and it is fixed... i expect new reagents will be given to existing customers.