Alternate to Hanna checkers?

[McCarrick]

I'm trying to get away from the API test kits. Lots of people rave about the hanna checker and a lot of people hate them and complain about inaccuracies. Either way, $50 a test is kind of a high bar for me. Are there any alternatives that are similar to the hanna checker in that they provide a digital response? I tried to do a google search but trying to type in anything hanna, you mostly get ads for hanna checkers. I feel that they cant possibly be the only ones making a product like this- unless it's still relatively new and patented.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I'm trying to get away from the API test kits. Lots of people rave about the hanna checker and a lot of people hate them and complain about inaccuracies. Either way, $50 a test is kind of a high bar for me. Are there any alternatives that are similar to the hanna checker in that they provide a digital response? I tried to do a google search but trying to type in anything hanna, you mostly get ads for hanna checkers. I feel that they cant possibly be the only ones making a product like this- unless it's still relatively new and patented.

nothing good at a cheaper price-point in terms of digital checkers. Sailfurt and Redsea tests are good

 

[shakacuz]

red sea kits will end up costing you about the same. i use both the red sea and hanna egg checkers. can confidently say my hanna PH egg checker is definitely not accurate..

salifert is cheap but tried and true by many reefers over the years.

 

[DE FISH]

When it comes to po4 your gonna need a Hanna checker

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

how much is your time worth? with hanna checkers, the process is quick and produce good enough result as long as its consistent.

 

[Clarkjw2002]

$50 is for the checker (if that's the cost now). Reagents are cheaper, like $8 for the alk reagent, which is around 20 tests (1ml per test). For alk and phosphate I would use nothing else. Ca and Mg I still use Salifert.

The "inconsistencies" with the Hanna checkers are really due to not having a standard protocol for running the tests. I always wear gloves. Measure water with a pipette. Rinse with tank water first. Run the negative and test in the same vial (run the negative, remove and add the reagent, mix, and reinsert). I always make sure the "10" is facing forward so I know the test light is going through the same section of glass as the pre-test (negative) light. And I always wipe w/ a lint free cloth before inserting the vial. Etc...

Having a standard procedure removes 95% of the inconsistencies at least. The ULR phosphate checker though is harder. Need to make sure you use all the powder and mix gently so that you don't get microbubbles on the sides. But well worth it for the easy read and relative accuracy.

 

[McCarrick]

$50 is for the checker (if that's the cost now). Reagents are cheaper, like $8 for the alk reagent, which is around 20 tests (1ml per test). For alk and phosphate I would use nothing else. Ca and Mg I still use Salifert.

The "inconsistencies" with the Hanna checkers are really due to not having a standard protocol for running the tests. I always wear gloves. Measure water with a pipette. Rinse with tank water first. Run the negative and test in the same vial (run the negative, remove and add the reagent, mix, and reinsert). I always make sure the "10" is facing forward so I know the test light is going through the same section of glass as the pre-test (negative) light. And I always wipe w/ a lint free cloth before inserting the vial. Etc...

Having a standard procedure removes 95% of the inconsistencies at least. The ULR phosphate checker though is harder. Need to make sure you use all the powder and mix gently so that you don't get microbubbles on the sides. But well worth it for the easy read and relative accuracy.

The ULT phosphate is one of the ones I've really been thinking about. Thanks for the tips!

 

[dakoop]

There are some hanna checkers to avoid, the calcium and nitrate come to mind

 

[SlugSnorter]

There are some hanna checkers to avoid, the calcium and nitrate come to mind

are they inaccurate?

 

[Cool tangs]

I rate the Hanna checkers and really the essential checkers that come to mind for digital reads is there alkalinity, low range phosphate and salinity checker. I picked my ones up second hand for half price and I rate them. They are very accurate. I think the low range being the most accurate they are very consistent in there readings. If you look on there website they actually tell you there inaccuracy range. I won't go back to test kits on those 3 parameters

Happy reefing

 

[dakoop]

are they inaccurate?

Accurate, just difficult to use. Too many steps to get repeatable results

 

[Spare time]

Accurate, just difficult to use. Too many steps to get repeatable results

HR Nitrate is simple.

 

[workhz]

HR Nitrate is simple.

Yep. I bought the low range and returned it. Didn’t realize the high range one was sufficient and that one is no harder to use than the phosphate checker.

 

[undermind]

I've worked my way through most of the well known test kits and confidently suggest getting into the Hanna checkers.

Look for them used for big time savings. Their reagents are very cheap and not really any difference in long term cost from Red Sea for example (Hanna is actually cheaper). Or you could snag one Hanna Checker at a time over a year or two. The advice above is solid. The alkalinity is a no brainer. Their phosphate and high range nitrate checkers are good too. I transitioned into them by eliminating other test kits that I grew to hate or found inaccurate. I used Red Sea and grew to discover that my test results were quite inaccurate. My Hanna results are consistently in line with ICP results. Like mentioned above, create a very solid testing routine and you'll get awesome results. A poor testing routine (like not cleaning the vials well) will give you confusing results.

We're lucky to have access to these Hanna checkers. Other digital (lab grade) test kits are available but VERY expensive.

 

[Malcontent]

We're lucky to have access to these Hanna checkers. Other digital (lab grade) test kits are available but VERY expensive.

They're also geared to drinking water and wastewater treatment so a lot of the tests don't work in saltwater.

 

[Dakota_reef]

For me, I use:

Alkalinity : Hannah checker & Salifert, but Hannah is so easy
Low Range N03 - Salifert. Preferred Nitrate test for me
Low Range NO3 - Hannah checker <-- overkill and takes a while to do, but if my Salifert test reads really low, I'll use it.
Calcium: Salifert
Magnesium: Salifert
Phosphate: Hannah.

Salifert has always been a favorite of mine, but Hannah has a few I'd definitely get (PO4 and Alk for sure).

 

[dakoop]

HR Nitrate is simple.

I just bought one, I had only heard horror stories from the lr

 

[Dan_P]

I'm trying to get away from the API test kits. Lots of people rave about the hanna checker and a lot of people hate them and complain about inaccuracies. Either way, $50 a test is kind of a high bar for me. Are there any alternatives that are similar to the hanna checker in that they provide a digital response? I tried to do a google search but trying to type in anything hanna, you mostly get ads for hanna checkers. I feel that they cant possibly be the only ones making a product like this- unless it's still relatively new and patented.

I think Hanna might be the only digital test kit available.

Before worrying about not purchasing one, consider this question:

How accurate do measurements have to be to successfully maintain a reef aquarium?

 

[rob taft]

I'm color blind and I have a difficult time with color charts so I use Hanna;'s test equipment for most of my tests. That said, I found the calcium test too much a pain in the butt. So this is what I use.
Phosphate: Hanna ULR Phosphorus
Calcium: Red Sea

Mag: Aquaforest

Nitrate: Hanna HI782

Salinity: Hanna, Milwaukee and Tropic Marin Hydrometer. I started with the Milwaukee which is a good piece of test equipment but with three tanks, the Hanna is more convenient. I use the Tropic Marin for verifying the the accuracy of the Milwaukee and Hanna. I own a quality refractometer but I found it impractical given my vision issues.

PH: Pin Point probe via Hydros Control 4 and verification via Milwaukee hand held. I bought the Milwaukee to check the PH in my 1 Acre fish pond.

The initial cost of the Hanna might be high but the reagents are readily available and relatively inexpensive and while I not as fastidious as ClarkJW, I do make sure I'm consistent in my testing methodology and I keep the Hanna cuvettes clean as well as store them full with RODI when not in use.

 

[jda]

Like others have said, all that you really need Hannah for is Phosphate/Phosphorous. Salifert is just fine for all others. Refractometer for salinity.