Hannah checker, worth it?

[TwelveL16]

They get more praise cause there is less human error.
this was clarified above.

so everyone can do the alk and phos Hanna checkers just fine and post good reviews on those but when it comes to calc they just go brain dead and smudge up the vials measure things out wrong. I see I understand now.

 

[twilliard]

Exactly
There are many more steps to the cal test.

 

[wangspeed]

Here's how I get an accurate .1ml.

 

[NicksMixedReef]

The ml of tank water is what makes or breaks the calcium test. If you can do it with a .5 ml syringe you will be fine

 

[reefknight]

I agree that the low range PO4 and Alk test are great. I love mine and use often. I have shied away from the Ca test but would like to pick one up. I have worked in a lab setting before, so I believe I wouldn't have an issue. I wish they would manufacture a NO3 test as that is one of the most requested. Also a K test would be great as well for those of us who test. The tests that are out there are not great to say the least. You won't be sorry with the purchase of at least the two and Ca if you don't listen to the hype. As far as NH4 & NO2, I wouldn't waste the money. As mentioned above once the tank is cycled, you will never use those.

 

[PDR]

I have the phosphate checker and love it.

 

[LILBUDDHA]

Only the phos checker for me.
I use other brands for the other stuff.
Mag is very important imho when tanks r newly set up with sand . It will deplete very quickly ..
I'd love to try a Hanna mag checker if they made one.

 

[Crackem]

Why hasn't anyone complained about what a pain emptying the powder into the cuvet is when doing the Hanna phosphate test? Your gonna tell me you got every drop of powder out of the packet? Also your supposed to shake the cuvet for 2 min which is another pain in neck. The cuvet never seems to be clear after shaking it.

 

[chefjpaul]

Patience is key to accurately testing.
The other thing is to find the test you like per element being tested, not only for consistency but to achieve stability. (Most important as it is consistent).

I prefer a few;
PO4 - Hanna
NO3 - Elos
KH - Hanna
MG - Salifert
CA - Elos
I/k/fe - red sea / Salifert

I liked the Red Sea, use for back up, but I seem to be more accurate with Elos, Hanna, & Salifert.

Just watch the videos of whatever brand you choose.

One trick I like to use the Red Sea "tools & syringes" for the Salifert tests

 

[jasonandsarah]

Why hasn't anyone complained about what a pain emptying the powder into the cuvet is when doing the Hanna phosphate test? Your gonna tell me you got every drop of powder out of the packet? Also your supposed to shake the cuvet for 2 min which is another pain in neck. The cuvet never seems to be clear after shaking it.

I use the Hanna Ulr phosphorus checker and getting all of the powder out is pretty simple. I tap and flick the packet until all of the powder is in one corner and then I cut 2 sides off the pack so I can fold the packet and make a funnel of sorts. Only thing left when I'm done is the light coating on the sides of the packet and Hanna says that's accounted for.
As already stated with the Hanna checkers consistency is the key. Some of the test are harder to be consistent then others but once you get the right tools and have done it enough it's a breeze.
My biggest complaint about any of the Hanna checkers is not having the regents come in bigger bottles because you can go through the Alk regent fairly quickly. Then again if they made bigger bottles it wouldn't fit into those snazzy little hard cases! [emoji4]

 

[jasonandsarah]

Also on the Ulr you don't have to shake the vial for 2 mins? Just long enough to dissolve the powder and then allow the air bubbles to dissipate.

 

[saltyhog]

I never shake the bottle on the phos test. Just invert the vial back and forth. Doesn't form bubbles and mixes just as well.

 

[Squadir]

Not really easier just more accurate. I personally only test phosphate every month or so but still use my hanna checker. For alk I mainly use my API test kit because it is so easy. Every couple of weeks I use the Hannah alk tester just to confirm what I'm seeing with my API kit. Since the Hannah checker is also more precise it is good to use when setting up your dosing system.

Time wise the API is so fast that is why I use it. I can test my alk in 10 seconds with it. The Hannah you have to put the water in the vial, let the Hannah checker read the vial with just water in it, then put the chemicals in it and then let it test the water. Then you have to take the readout and then multiply it by a certain number to get the dKh.

@Opus how were the Hanna results as compared to the API for the alk? Were they the same or was there a difference?

 

[Chaz D]

I have the hanna alk checker but hate dealing with the refills. I wish the reagent bottle was clear so I could see where I was sticking the syringe for those last few tests. Day to day, I use the api though. If things look really off, I break out the hanna for confirmation.

 

[bwrag]

i was ready to toss mine then posted on here got better info on how to use them and importance of clean glass now i wouldnt trade them. i use the alk phosphate and calcium. i rinse after every use immediatly and store the vials in distilled vinegar. i then rinse out with tank water when im ready to do alk or phosphate and rodi water if doing calcium. i wipe dry with a paper towel and then a scope/glass cleaning clothe before running through checker. i also use a ten ml syringe to fill and ignore the line except on calcium.

 

[twilliard]

Right on glad to hear that!

 

[Exodus]

Why do most only use Hannah for alk and phosphate? Is it easier than other testing?

Well it's difficult to read any of the titration tests for phosphate as the colors are so close together and getting a more precise digital readout is worth it.
As for Alkalinity there is no easier test than the Hanna Checker, it is quick and give a digital output.

those are the 2 checkers I own, as for the Calcium there is nothing wrong with it but the cost to be honest. There are just as many steps to check calcium on the hanna checker as there is with Red Sea & Salifert so I think most think to hell with it and stick with their current test kits saving money on another device that only has the benefit of a digital reading when you really don't need a precise reading on that particular measurement why bother shelling out $45 on another piece of testing equipment and not to mention reagents?

 

[ReefMadScientist]

Calcium works good too for Hannah. But like twilliard says you have to know how to use them

I purchased a Calcium Hanna Checker and it was garbage. I do have Alkalinity and Phosphate checkers and they work PERFECTLY.

My Calcium Hanna Checker was not human error. The reviews are somewhat true. I even submitted my checker to BRS for a refund. They checked it as well and said it was off by 100ppm's.

So from my experience.

Yes - Alkalinity and Phosphate
No - Calcium.

 

[twilliard]

So the calcium checker is hit or miss?
do you know that if someone even a business interprets the instructions wrong it is EXACTLY 100 PPM high ;)
I know where the flaw is in the directions :-)

 

[luke33]

Phos is a must if you want to keep corals imo. Alk is great but you can get away with other tests. Calc I like but its not a necessity like the others imo.