FINALLY Hanna comes through for us

G Santana · Jun 30, 2022

Looks like Hanna has solved the issue and is going to make good to all hobbyists who bought their product.
Hats off to Hanna!!!

Lost in the Sauce · Jun 30, 2022

I think it's a bit early to say they came through as nobody will get replacement reagent for at least 6 weeks, and we still don't actually know the issue has been fixed and if the checker will read Correctly and Consistently.

But yes, good on them or digging down and trying to find the solution to an issue that was widely recorded.

punchy7080 · Jun 30, 2022

Now they just need to fix the inconsistent results with the Alk

Lost in the Sauce · Jun 30, 2022

punchy7080 said:
Now they just need to fix the inconsistent results with the Alk

I thought that fix was well known. The reagent is only good for about 3 weeks once it's been opened and don't ever shake it. I test mine against others frequently.

reaper93 · Jun 30, 2022

punchy7080 said:
Now they just need to fix the inconsistent results with the Alk

Can you enlighten me?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 30, 2022

So, they determined they delivered a product to market that did not work as advertised. Huh…

Pntbll687 · Jun 30, 2022

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
So, they determined they delivered a product to market that did not work as advertised. Huh…

^^THIS

Hanna did not "come through" for anyone. They were berated into checking out their own problems with a product. Yes, they offered free reagent to anyone who bought a mag checker, but are you going to trust that checker ever again?

Testing with any titration kit or checker has turned into the below
1. Use checker, get result
2. Use titration kit, get result
3. They don't match, do them again
4. Still don't match
5. Use third test kit, get result
6. Doesn't match any of the other two
7. Re check with checker, get same result as step 1, go back to step 2

And the cycle goes on

Dburr1014 · Jun 30, 2022

punchy7080 said:
Now they just need to fix the inconsistent results with the Alk

Inconsistent? I keep mine in the fridge, always consistent.

Tuan’s Reef · Jun 30, 2022

What does this mean for the checkers that is on the shelves? are they being recalled so the good reagents are packaged? or we just send them the form for new reagents? seems more hassle then its worth.

reaper93 · Jun 30, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
Inconsistent? I keep mine in the fridge, always consistent.

I've never heard of keeping reagents in the fridge before

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jun 30, 2022

reaper93 said:
I've never heard of keeping reagents in the fridge before

The alk reagents may be unstable. They perhaps should have looked into that more.

Dburr1014 · Jun 30, 2022

reaper93 said:
I've never heard of keeping reagents in the fridge before

It was reported by Lasse that it was much more stable

Important findings according how to store open bottles of the reagent for Hanna Marine alkalinity checkers

There is a way to hinder the Hanna alk to show lesser and lesser dKH (or ppm for that matter) with age of open reagent bottle. I had the same story as many have reported here - my reading decrease from a new open bottle with time. Double check with another method show that there was not a real...

www.reef2reef.com

reaper93 · Jun 30, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
It was reported by Lasse that it was much more stable

Important findings according how to store open bottles of the reagent for Hanna Marine alkalinity checkers

There is a way to hinder the Hanna alk to show lesser and lesser dKH (or ppm for that matter) with age of open reagent bottle. I had the same story as many have reported here - my reading decrease from a new open bottle with time. Double check with another method show that there was not a real...

www.reef2reef.com

Hmm. I should look into doing that. I've been using the Alk checker for around 6 months now. Just about to finish my first bottle of reagent

rtparty · Jun 30, 2022

I consider myself lucky because I have 9 month old Alk reagent that I shake every time I use it and it matches any brand new bottle I open. I have gone through about 25 bottles of Alk reagent over the years and never had one not read correctly.

I use the exact same syringe for the 10ml every time, I use the same cuvette, and I even have the original 1ml syringe from the very first bottle of reagent I ever used. The ONLY variable I ever introduce is the new reagent and I have never had a bad one yet.

Back to topic though, glad Hanna admitted the fault but how did that ever get past testing? I have my bets but won't flame them too much. Hint: everyone who bought a unit were the actual beta testers.

Potatohead · Jun 30, 2022

Dburr1014 said:
Inconsistent? I keep mine in the fridge, always consistent.

I've never had a problem with the alk checker either. Old reagent does test .2-.3 higher than new, but that has been consistent over at least 20 bottles for me.

Coolcasino · Jun 30, 2022

I hope this time they thoroughly checked their product so we don't have to. I'm thinking that they only put this on top gear right after the Mr saltwater mag checker review since many of us were complaining about the readings being high for well over 2 weeks. Their response to us was user error. At least now it will maybe get fixed.
In regards to the all reagent... I was consistently getting lower and lower results thus spiking the alk in my tank. Until I read Lasses threat about putting the reagent in the fridge. It is very consistent now. And I've gone through 3 bottles. I open the fridge, give the reagent a shake, open the bottle, draw the reagent, close the bottle and I close the fridge.

gbru316 · Jun 30, 2022

Pntbll687 said:
^^THIS

Hanna did not "come through" for anyone. They were berated into checking out their own problems with a product. Yes, they offered free reagent to anyone who bought a mag checker, but are you going to trust that checker ever again?

Testing with any titration kit or checker has turned into the below
1. Use checker, get result
2. Use titration kit, get result
3. They don't match, do them again
4. Still don't match
5. Use third test kit, get result
6. Doesn't match any of the other two
7. Re check with checker, get same result as step 1, go back to step 2

And the cycle goes on

Reference standards eliminate this.

1. Check reference standard with checker (or test kit) -- oops, it's not accurate
2. Determine cal factor
3. Test your tank
4. Apply cal factor

Anyone with a scale, oven, RODI, and baking soda can make an alk standard.

Hanna Instruments · Oct 4, 2022

Hello from Hanna Instruments,

I am on the aquarium team, here to address the Magnesium Checker issue.

I am posting this same message on various threads regarding the Magnesium Checker so that as many people as possible get the information.

First, here is an FAQ with answers:

1) What happened?
As many of you know, Hanna Instruments prides itself in accuracy. We do extensive R&D before releasing products – what happened with the Magnesium Checker was a unique combination of unexpected factors. Our manufacturing facility is in Romania, and shipments from Eastern Europe were delayed in the Spring due to events in that area. With this, the initial batch of Magnesium products were in cargo storage for longer than anticipated. While the cargo containers sat for extended periods in the Spring, the temperature in the containers increased. This resulted in longer than usual exposure to higher than usual temperatures, which in turn caused one of the reagents to expire early. The products passed R&D inspection on site, and we’ve never had them degrade in transit before, which is why we were surprised about the issue at first. And why we are grateful that users like yourselves reported it!

2) What did Hanna do to fix the products?
The issue was one reagent expiring early during extended high-temperature exposure in the cargo containers. To fix this, we were able to greatly improve the temperature stability of this reagent by reformulating it from a liquid to a powder. This means that Reagent B is now a powder for this product. Our other Checkers have a timer built in for the dissolution of the powder reagent, so we added that to the new Magnesium Checkers too. That is the only difference in devices, but because of that, we are sending everyone who purchased the initial version a new Checker with the timer built in!

3) Why has it taken so long?
Resolving this issue took several steps. First we had to reformulate Reagent B into a powder. Then we had to add the timer into the production process for the Checkers. Once those updates were made, we had to repackage all the previously produced items with the updated ones. And of course, we had to figure out the logistics of replacing these items both for customers such as yourselves, and bulk purchasers like LFSs and major websites. We also found new transport options to avoid extended international shipping delays in the future.

4) How is Hanna going to make this right for the people who already purchased?
We will send everyone who fills out this form: HI783 Marine Checker Reagent Issue Form free replacements for whatever Magnesium items (Checker and/or Extra Reagent Packages) were purchased. Please fill out all fields!

5) How do I know if I am in queue for the replacements after submitting the above form?
I receive all the form submissions. My apologies that there is not a confirmation, but once you hit submit I do receive it. We are on track to have all current form submissions fulfilled by the end of October, and new submissions as soon as possible thereafter.

Please see our official customer letter below for more details:

These Magnesium items will be available again from your LFS and online sources soon.
Thank you for your patience as we have resolved this issue!

All the Best,
Hanna Instruments