Alk readings with GHL

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

Ok, so I have a Hannah tester and it’s readings are not even close to what my KH director is saying. It’s reading at 7.2 and I have attached a picture of my readings from the GHL that as of the same time the Hannah test was taken was at 10.6 which is crazy high. Which one should I trust? Seems the KH is off.

bluprntguy · Sep 1, 2020

Here’s the alk tests I’ve run:

KH Director
Hanna
API
Tropic Marin
Red Sea
Aqua Forest

Hanna was always the outlier and crazy high as well. The other tests track pretty closely to each other. Either all the other tests are wrong, or Hanna is. I decided the Hanna is just wrong. It’s now gathering dust in the cabinet.

I highly recommend the Tropic Marin KH basic test as a backup to the KH Director. It’s really simple to use and easy enough that you actually will.

spschiebel · Sep 1, 2020

I would get a third test, either a titration test or send off for an ICP before knowing which is off.

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

I get that but you all think my alk is actually 10.6? I use Tropic Marine pro with is a 7.0. That’s crazy high.

Michael Gray · Sep 1, 2020

My battle. How long has kh been running

Battle for me as well but as of right now I think I can say I have it figured out or dialed in I guess u can say

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

Michael Gray said:
My battle. How long has kh been running

Battle for me as well but as of right now I think I can say I have it figured out or dialed in I guess u can say

Since the 21st. It actually started at like 8 and went up to 10.6-.7. That graph is from the day I started to the most recent test like two hours ago. What did you do to fix it?

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

bluprntguy said:
Here’s the alk tests I’ve run:

KH Director
Hanna
API
Tropic Marin
Red Sea
Aqua Forest

Hanna was always the outlier and crazy high as well. The other tests track pretty closely to each other. Either all the other tests are wrong, or Hanna is. I decided the Hanna is just wrong. It’s now gathering dust in the cabinet.

I highly recommend the Tropic Marin KH basic test as a backup to the KH Director. It’s really simple to use and easy enough that you actually will.

The Hannah is at 7.2 and the KH is at 10.6-.7

Michael Gray · Sep 1, 2020

Let's start with the setup. U have the filter installed? Where is filter and where is it drawing from?

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

Michael Gray said:
Let's start with the setup. U have the filter installed? Where is filter and where is it drawing from?

I don’t have a filter installed. It’s drawing straight from the tank.

robbyg · Sep 1, 2020

It’s hard to ignore a Hanna Alk tester. They are pretty accurate and precise based on my experience and posts I have read. If the reading is off by much it’s because either your reagents are bad or the meter itself is dying.

Wolters_88 · Sep 1, 2020

robbyg said:
It’s hard to ignore a Hanna Alk tester. They are pretty accurate and precise based on my experience and posts I have read. If the reading is off by much it’s because either your reagents are bad or the meter itself is dying.

It’s all brand new just opened and installed.

bluprntguy · Sep 1, 2020

I assume you calibrated the pumps of the KH Director during set-up? Did you use the correct tubing for the reagent? Did you flush the chamber?

Michael Gray · Sep 1, 2020

Id use the filter at the end. And I want it drawing somewhere with little bubbles as possible. I have mine in sump down low towards the bottom of sump. After that it's calibrating the pumps. Best way to do it. Is use a gram scale. And weigh it. I'd do each like 5 or 6 times in a row. Write it down to the tenth. And then average it. Do that for all 3
I had to calibrate a few times as the pumps changed over time. All over the place

WWIII · Sep 1, 2020

Like @Michael Gray suggests, calibrate all the heads by weight. They need to be accurate, especially the reagent head. A few tenths of a ml on that one makes a big difference. I agree that the filter is a good idea and make sure to look for any bubbles as well.

csb123 · Sep 1, 2020

I also found there is a bit of break in period. I assume it’s due to putting a bit of wear on the tubing. I haven’t quite figured out often calibration like this needs to be done. The reagent head is the most important.

Wolters_88 · Sep 2, 2020

Michael Gray said:
Id use the filter at the end. And I want it drawing somewhere with little bubbles as possible. I have mine in sump down low towards the bottom of sump. After that it's calibrating the pumps. Best way to do it. Is use a gram scale. And weigh it. I'd do each like 5 or 6 times in a row. Write it down to the tenth. And then average it. Do that for all 3
I had to calibrate a few times as the pumps changed over time. All over the place

Really frustrating that this costs thousands of dollars and is so finicky. I will redo it today and go by weight and see where it gets me. Thanks.

Wolters_88 · Sep 2, 2020

WWIII said:
Like @Michael Gray suggests, calibrate all the heads by weight. They need to be accurate, especially the reagent head. A few tenths of a ml on that one makes a big difference. I agree that the filter is a good idea and make sure to look for any bubbles as well.

Why does the inline filter help?

vangvace · Sep 3, 2020

Has the results been tested via a reference solution or just tank water?

Wolters_88 · Sep 3, 2020

vangvace said:
Has the results been tested via a reference solution or just tank water?

Just tank water

Wolters_88 · Sep 3, 2020

I hate this machine. Really read people saying this things amazing etc etc... I have had nothing but issues. At this point I’m about done with this. What a waste of thousands of dollars.