Confused. Hanna Checker,... reagents ?

[427HISS]

I may be brain dead, but I have a few of their checkers, which I like, but what are the reagents for ?
I've never used them before.

 

[User]

I may be brain dead, but I have a few of their checkers, which I like, but what are the reagents for ?
I've never used them before.

You have to add the reagent to the water sample for it to do a chemical reaction that creates a colored solution. The checker is a single wavelength spectrophotometer that reads the amount of color and equates it to a concentration for the target .

You didn’t read the instructions?

You didn’t read extra information to figure out how they worked?

You haven’t been using the reagent?

Just water?

You didn’t wonder why they included packets of ‘stuff’ or why your results were always 0?

So, so many questions...

 

[SPR1968]

As said above you need to follow the instructions and add the reagents to the water sample as stated, and then the checker produces the result. You might get some ‘odd’ readings if you don’t add the reagents.

If your unsure just ask and we will try and help you out.

 

[427HISS]

I don't recall anything about using them and no reagent, packets etc.
I've measured results from 1.025- 1.027 every time, never 0. in my tanks and new salt batch's. I always rinsed with RO/DI between tanks and when finished.

 

[User]

I don't recall anything about using them and no reagent, packets etc.
I've measured results from 1.025- 1.027 every time, never 0. in my tanks and new salt batch's. I always rinsed with RO/DI between tanks and when finished.

I think we are going to need a clarification on what checker you are using.

Because it sounds like the Salinity checker - in which case the reagents may be calibration solutions.


There are like 6 analyte checkers— calcium, phosphorus, alk etc— those are the ones I thought you meant.

 

[427HISS]

I'm sorry, I do have some Hanna's, but my S.G tester is the Green Milwaukee MA887.

 

[Adamantium]

I'm sorry, I do have some Hanna's, but my S.G tester is the Green Milwaukee MA887.

Which Hanna testers? They all require reagents to get results.

You put in a sample without a reagent to "zero it out," and then add the reagent and test again to get your results.

 

[427HISS]

ca, alk, just the phos. And want more. I don't see colors very well, so digital is much better, if accurate.

 

[User]

ca, alk, just the phos. And want more. I don't see colors very well, so digital is much better, if accurate.

Then you need to take 20 minutes and go read the instructions. If you’ve been using them without reagents, you’ve been using them completely wrong

 

[User]

I don't recall anything about using them and no reagent, packets etc.
I've measured results from 1.025- 1.027 every time, never 0. in my tanks and new salt batch's. I always rinsed with RO/DI between tanks and when finished.

This doesn’t compute.

None of the testers will give you a result without using reagents, and none will produce a result of 1.025... since that’s 3 significant figures, and the checkers only read two places after the point.

The salinity checker will do 3 after the point, but you just said you use the Milwaukee

 

[hybridazn]

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Bingo ^^^^ watch the you tube videos.

 

[User]

Bingo ^^^^ watch the you tube videos.

Or read the instruction card it comes with. Quicker

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I think there is a lot of confusion. The Digital Refractometer only requires periodic calibration. This will yield accurate results every time you use it. The other testers (eggs), such as calcium, kH, phosphates, nitrates, nitrites etc... all require a solution to be added to either slightly change or dramatically change the water color as explained by neilp2006.

If you have been getting results other than zero from C1-C2, then the cuvette is not clean and you're not making note of how the cuvette was placed in the checker during C1. I didn't watch that video but there are a few rules of thumb that should be regular practice, the cuvette needs to be sparkling clean when placed in the checker (I use a disposable lint free cloth), and the cuvette needs to be placed in the same way between the 2 tests. I always face the 10 towards the front.

 

[427HISS]

Like I mentioned, I was speaking about S.G using my Milwaukee, not,....the Hanna. I don't even have a S.G checker from Hanna.

I'm sorry, it is my mistake. The last time I used any testing was years ago. I had to put the tanks on hold after having a chronic infection called ''septic blood''.I'm a diabetic so I almost died twice and had a heart attack two years ago. I'm now returning to the hobby, so I ordered a new test kit to replace my older one's and I need to order new reagents for my Hanna's. It's been long enough that I forgot what I had.

I sincerely apologize everyone.