Hanna Testers - which do I need?

[chaserdogg01]

Hi all,

I am looking into which Hanna testers I need and wanted to get some feedback before I place the order. I currently have the copper tester for QT but am looking into which ones I should get next. I am planning on keeping soft coral only for the time being and down the road (if successful with softies) moving into LPS.

I'm seeing that the following are best for what I am planning on keeping but just want to make sure! Please advise.

HI 736 Phosphorus Checker​

High Range Nitrate Checker HI782​

Alkalinity Checker HI755​

I'm seeing that mag and calcium are not as important till you start keeping coral that calcify, so wanted to make sure those are not testers I need just yet.

Thank you!

 

[Submerge]

There are a number of threads where tests are discussed. To distill them all down takes a bit of effort.

I got the Hanna ammonia too so I could see my cycle clearly. Comes with 10 tests and across 2 tanks I already needed a reagent refill.

I went with the salifert nitrate by popular posts and I now have a Hanna in my Amazon cart. Seeing the difference in colors is maybe for the young folks these old eyes can’t see the difference in pinks and always end up writing down a range in my notes when I test. So yeah Hanna I think on that one.

I have both salifert and Hanna alk tests. Hanna is easier. Worth the extra money in my mind.

I have Hanna calcium and use it mostly to keep an eye on things. I just started dosing AFR so watching trends. That said I’ve seen the experts like Randy put far less value on the exact calcium number and more on alk. It’s a nice to know thing especially if you are dosing and knowing what you get directly from your salt mix but I think you could do without if you have more important expenditures to consider.

My biggest takeaway from the several threads was magnesium is a take it or leave it number. If you run into problems I can see it but Randy has recently said don’t even bother measuring it.

Curious where you end up!

 

[Fish Fan]

I think that's a good start with the Checkers

I'd also through the Salifert brand name out there too, their tests are quite reliable, easy to read and are inexpensive. I have Hanna Checkers for pretty much everything, but I also like and use Salifert tests, for example, if I'm having some issue and I find I'm testing daily or near daily, I use the Salifert because they are much less expensive than the Hanna.

Also, double check how many reagents you get with each new Checker, I don't think they give you a lot, so you may want to pick up a pack of reagent refills too.

Good luck!

 

[chaserdogg01]

I think that's a good start with the Checkers

I'd also through the Salifert brand name out there too, their tests are quite reliable, easy to read and are inexpensive. I have Hanna Checkers for pretty much everything, but I also like and use Salifert tests, for example, if I'm having some issue and I find I'm testing daily or near daily, I use the Salifert because they are much less expensive than the Hanna.

Also, double check how many reagents you get with each new Checker, I don't think they give you a lot, so you may want to pick up a pack of reagent refills too.

Good luck!

Thank you both! Will pull the trigger on these three :)

 

[Isaac Alves]

I used the same as you:

HI 736 Phosphorus Checker​

High Range Nitrate Checker HI782​

Alkalinity Checker HI755​

But actually use a Salifert Alk kit for daily checks and use the Hanna Alk weekly.

For Mg: Salifert
Ca: Salifert (Hanna's ca is a nightmare)

During cycling I'll rely on API Nitrite and Ammonia kits.

 

[MikeReefs]

I’ll be honest you only really NEED the phosphate one. I check nitrate too often to have to run through all those reagents. Although I do have the nitrate one I only sometimes use it before I do a water change. I have soft and LPS

 

[exnisstech]

I use Hannah for alk, HR nitrate and ULR phosphate. Salifert for calcium because I found the Hanna calcium a total pita to use. I've compared my Hanna alk against salifert and they matched and the salifert are cheaper per test. I don't test anything else.

 

[chaserdogg01]

Thank you, all! Very helpful and good to know.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hi all,

I am looking into which Hanna testers I need and wanted to get some feedback before I place the order. I currently have the copper tester for QT but am looking into which ones I should get next. I am planning on keeping soft coral only for the time being and down the road (if successful with softies) moving into LPS.

I'm seeing that the following are best for what I am planning on keeping but just want to make sure! Please advise.

HI 736 Phosphorus Checker​

High Range Nitrate Checker HI782​

Alkalinity Checker HI755​

I'm seeing that mag and calcium are not as important till you start keeping coral that calcify, so wanted to make sure those are not testers I need just yet.

Thank you!

The only one that is particularly useful is the Hanna ULR Phosphate.

For other tests you get the same level of accuracy with Salifert which are cheap, easy to use, and the reagents do not expire.

At one time I was an avid collector of Hanna checkers and owned them all - over time I have sold them all apart from the ULR phosphate as it is the only one that does not have a cheap and simple Salifert equivalent.

 

[chaserdogg01]

The only one that is particularly useful is the Hanna ULR Phosphate.

For other tests you get the same level of accuracy with Salifert which are cheap, easy to use, and the reagents do not expire.

At one time I was an avid collector of Hanna checkers and owned them all - over time I have sold them all apart from the ULR phosphate as it is the only one that does not have a cheap and simple Salifert equivalent.

That's good to know. May save myself the extra money and just go with the salifert tests if that's the case.

Are the salifert tests relatively easy to read? I see myself reaching on the API kits so only reason I am hesitant.

 

[Submerge]

That's good to know. May save myself the extra money and just go with the salifert tests if that's the case.

Are the salifert tests relatively easy to read? I see myself reaching on the API kits so only reason I am hesitant.

Some are color coded some are titration. So drops added until a color change then look up on a chart. I find the color coded like nitrate hard to get a number only a range but the titration tests like alk are easy to see.

 

[dvgyfresh]

ULR phosphate and alkalinity - I would consider these a necessity

 

[gbroadbridge]

That's good to know. May save myself the extra money and just go with the salifert tests if that's the case.

Are the salifert tests relatively easy to read? I see myself reaching on the API kits so only reason I am hesitant.

As long as you can tell the difference between blue and pink, Salifert Alk test is easy to use and nothing expires.
Accurate to 0.3dkh same as Hanna.

The Salifert nitrate test is shades of purple and it comes with a color chart.
It's easy to tell the difference between the colors on the chart - just pick the closest.
It is plenty accurate for reef keeping where you'll want nitrate around 10-25ppm.

Salifert are cheap and probably worth a try before splashing cash on an expensive Hanna.
They're also a very useful backup test even if you decide on the Hanna checkers.

 

[chaserdogg01]

That's good to know. May save myself the extra money and just go with the salifert tests if that's the case.

Are the salifert tests relatively easy to read? I see myself reaching on the API kits so only reason I am hesitant.

As long as you can tell the difference between blue and pink, Salifert Alk test is easy to use and nothing expires.
Accurate to 0.3dkh same as Hanna.

The Salifert nitrate test is shades of purple and it comes with a color chart.
It's easy to tell the difference between the colors on the chart - just pick the closest.
It is plenty accurate for reef keeping where you'll want nitrate around 10-25ppm.

Salifert are cheap and probably worth a try before splashing cash on an expensive Hanna.
They're also a very useful backup test even if you decide on the Hanna checkers.

Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you gbroad and rest!

 

[JayM]

I would not suggest the HI 736. The HI 774 ULR Phospate checker is likely to be much more useful.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you gbroad and rest!

Just for the heck, I just ran my monthly tests a day early.




Pretty obvious that the color is closer to 10 than 25, so 10 it is for the logbook.
You could say 15, but it makes no difference to the tank :-)



If you get the Hanna ULR phosphate, stop at a chemist/drugstore on the way home and pick up a 10 cent 10ml syringe. Makes life easier if you're consistent.

 

[chaserdogg01]

Exactly what I needed to hear, thank you gbroad and rest!

Just for the heck, I just ran my monthly tests a day early.




Pretty obvious that the color is closer to 10 than 25, so 10 it is for the logbook.
You could say 15, but it makes no difference to the tank :-)



If you get the Hanna ULR phosphate, stop at a chemist/drugstore on the way home and pick up a 10 cent 10ml syringe. Makes life easier if you're consistent.

Awesome, thank you for the tips!

 

[blazn]

I recommend Hanna to replace any color output based testers, as color based output is certainly difficult to properly determine the value. I use Hanna for Nitrate & Phosphate and if you quarantine, the Hanna Copper is a must.