Mastertronic issues

[Mr. GoodStuff]

Okay so I’m using MT to test phosphate, nitrate and calcium.

Stepper pump calibrated 3 times and accuracy test was successful at 7ml. Pump A was also calibrated 3 times but accuracy test comes in low at 6.6, not sure if this makes a huge difference or not but I can’t get accuracy test to complete at 7ml, I’ve tried 3 times and it’s always off by at least .2ml.

Calcium seems to be ok, tested at 449 and manual API test came back at 440.

Phosphate is showing me .10 on MT but Hanna checker coming out to around .18, both have brand new reagent but not sure which is inaccurate.

Nitrate is completely off reading around 10ppm on MT but manual API test is showing around 40ish. For the nitrate test I noticed that the stirrer pill will start spinning fine and then kind of just vibrate in place. It does this for both nitrate reagents. It does this with the small stirrer pill for #2 reagents. With the large stirrer pill it doesn’t even begin to spin at all, it just vibrates in place for #2 reagent. Any idea how to fix this? Yes I’m on latest firmware and software.

 

[MnFish1]

Okay so I’m using MT to test phosphate, nitrate and calcium.

Stepper pump calibrated 3 times and accuracy test was successful at 7ml. Pump A was also calibrated 3 times but accuracy test comes in low at 6.6, not sure if this makes a huge difference or not but I can’t get accuracy test to complete at 7ml, I’ve tried 3 times and it’s always off by at least .2ml.

Calcium seems to be ok, tested at 449 and manual API test came back at 440.

Phosphate is showing me .10 on MT but Hanna checker coming out to around .18, both have brand new reagent but not sure which is inaccurate.

Nitrate is completely off reading around 10ppm on MT but manual API test is showing around 40ish. For the nitrate test I noticed that the stirrer pill will start spinning fine and then kind of just vibrate in place. It does this for both nitrate reagents. It does this with the small stirrer pill for #2 reagents. With the large stirrer pill it doesn’t even begin to spin at all, it just vibrates in place for #2 reagent. Any idea how to fix this? Yes I’m on latest firmware and software.

In general - I would not compare a mastertronic test to an API (or any other test) - but rather test against a known solution if nitrate, ca, etc. There is no way to know - for example - whether the API test is correct - or the mastertronic test is correct. All of that said - If the calibration test fails, I believe that that puts the results in a very suspicious light. I would call customer service. As far as the spinning bar, sometimes turning off the magnet and turning back on will fix this. I don't know if you've seen this troubleshooting section: https://focustronic.ladesk.com/023936-Tips-and-Tricks-

 

[Mr. GoodStuff]

In general - I would not compare a mastertronic test to an API (or any other test) - but rather test against a known solution if nitrate, ca, etc. There is no way to know - for example - whether the API test is correct - or the mastertronic test is correct. All of that said - If the calibration test fails, I believe that that puts the results in a very suspicious light. I would call customer service. As far as the spinning bar, sometimes turning off the magnet and turning back on will fix this. I don't know if you've seen this troubleshooting section: https://focustronic.ladesk.com/023936-Tips-and-Tricks-

What do you mean by turning off the magnet? Also I was able to test nitrate against a Hanna checker instead and it wasn't too far off. Yes I've been slowly reading through that section.

 

[MnFish1]

What do you mean by turning off the magnet? Also I was able to test nitrate against a Hanna checker instead and it wasn't too far off. Yes I've been slowly reading through that section.

I don't know if there is a way to do it - but this often happens with magnetic stir bars - and usually is resolved with restarting the stirrer (if possible)

 

[Mr. GoodStuff]

I don't know if there is a way to do it - but this often happens with magnetic stir bars - and usually is resolved with restarting the stirrer (if possible)

There's no option for that. Also no option to test the stirrer per vial which is kinda stupid as well.

 

[reef_ranch]

Were you able to resolve the issue. Both my nitrate and phosphate readings are significantly different that the Hanna checkers

 

[MnFish1]

What do you mean by turning off the magnet? Also I was able to test nitrate against a Hanna checker instead and it wasn't too far off. Yes I've been slowly reading through that section.

Turning off the power to the magnet. Then restarting it.

 

[DiscoStuart]

Okay so I’m using MT to test phosphate, nitrate and calcium.

Stepper pump calibrated 3 times and accuracy test was successful at 7ml. Pump A was also calibrated 3 times but accuracy test comes in low at 6.6, not sure if this makes a huge difference or not but I can’t get accuracy test to complete at 7ml, I’ve tried 3 times and it’s always off by at least .2ml.

Calcium seems to be ok, tested at 449 and manual API test came back at 440.

Phosphate is showing me .10 on MT but Hanna checker coming out to around .18, both have brand new reagent but not sure which is inaccurate.

Nitrate is completely off reading around 10ppm on MT but manual API test is showing around 40ish. For the nitrate test I noticed that the stirrer pill will start spinning fine and then kind of just vibrate in place. It does this for both nitrate reagents. It does this with the small stirrer pill for #2 reagents. With the large stirrer pill it doesn’t even begin to spin at all, it just vibrates in place for #2 reagent. Any idea how to fix this? Yes I’m on latest firmware and software.

Old thread, but did you ever sort out the Nitrate issue. My Ca and Mg are spot on with an ICP and my salifert teasts. Phosphate are a bit off, but I think a test with reference fluid will dial it in.

Nitrates are way off. Returned 3.8 vs a reference fluid of 10. Tank is 40ish and the MT is giving me 10ish.

I’m using the Tropic Marin test. I gave the API nitrate test coming this week and hoping that solves the problem. We shall see…