Hanna alk checker or Red Sea

chickenreef · Jun 2, 2017

I've been using my Hanna alk checker since I got it but last week I decided to test using my.red sea. Hanna said 8.5dkh last week while RS read 6.5dkh. I upped my doser a few ML and tonight it's Hanna 9.5dkh RS 7, who do I go with? Or do I take the middle number? I just don't want my alk being 10+ since I can't keep nitrates up past 3 in my system.

40B Knasty · Jun 2, 2017

Personally I have dropped all test kits after seeing the BRSTV video about test kits. The only one I trust is the ELOS test kit. The reagents are all certified by NIST(National Institute of Standards and Technology). This means the only mistakes made is done by the user. Everything that is provided is accurate.

hybridazn · Jun 2, 2017

How old is the reagent for the Hanna? Is it close to the expiration date? I used to get up and down readings with mine but when I started storing the reagent in an upright position my readings have been rock solid.

chickenreef · Jun 2, 2017

The reagents are new, I bought a new bottle not too long ago. The readings were pretty accurate to me until I tested with the red sea lol..I'll ask my lfs to test it lol. The tests are so easy though, Hanna add 10ml, then 1ml of reagent. Rs.5ml water and drop until it turns a different color.

kennedpa · Jun 2, 2017

chickenreef said:
The reagents are new, I bought a new bottle not too long ago. The readings were pretty accurate to me until I tested with the red sea lol..I'll ask my lfs to test it lol. The tests are so easy though, Hanna add 10ml, then 1ml of reagent. Rs.5ml water and drop until it turns a different color.

Red sea alkalinity is not based on 5 ml of water. It is a 10 ml water volume that you titrate on. This could be the source of your issue. Red sea calcium test is a 5 ml test.

chickenreef · Jun 2, 2017

Not mine..it's not the red sea pro kit

kennedpa · Jun 2, 2017

Ah. I see. I'm going to test my water in 30 when I get home. I'll compare the two. I use the pro daily.

kennedpa · Jun 2, 2017

9.8 on pro, 10 on your type of kit.

While we're at it I'm going to get the ELOS and compare. I'll also send a triton test out. Been meaning to anyway.

recess62 · Jun 2, 2017

I don't think Triton tests Kh. At least it was not in my report

kennedpa · Jun 2, 2017

Really?! Had no idea. I wonder if you can calculate it @Randy Holmes-Farley ?

Reefltx · Jun 2, 2017

Never tried Red Sea, but my salifert and Hanna are pretty close with Hanna being .2 higher. So I normally use Hanna cause it's easy.

chickenreef · Jun 2, 2017

Maybe I need to recalibrate it? It is second hand, maybe the dude sold it for a reason.

40B Knasty · Jun 2, 2017

chickenreef said:
Maybe I need to recalibrate it? It is second hand, maybe the dude sold it for a reason.

You are probably 100% right about the dude selling it for a reason. Probably got an ELOS test kit

40B Knasty · Jun 2, 2017

chickenreef said:
Maybe I need to recalibrate it? It is second hand, maybe the dude sold it for a reason.

Does the instructions that come with it say shake the bottle. Not what it says on the color coated card stalk?
If the bottle is supposed to be shaken and you have that same reagent that is also second hand. If that bottle is not 100% shaken from the beginning and every following time 100% shaken correctly. Then every drop of it will become more and more inaccurate as the bottle is used.
I had that happen with an API Masters Test kit. It was reading 40ppm when it was 1.5ppm

revhtree · Jun 2, 2017

My RS Pro and Hanna Checker are showing almost identical results for Alk testing.

805reef · Jun 2, 2017

revhtree said:
My RS Pro and Hanna Checker are showing almost identical results for Alk testing.

+1 on this.

I was using just barely (a week) expired hanna reagents and my alk was 8.5. I got in some new reagent and tested them both at the same time, the old 8.5 the new 11.2. I decided to order the RS pro kit to double check and it matched with the new reagent.

chickenreef · Jun 2, 2017

I guess I can try another reagent bottle, it's almost done for anyway and fwiw I ordered a new bottle shortly after I got the checker because the old one was showing stupid low numbers.

GoVols · Jun 2, 2017

revhtree said:
My RS Pro and Hanna Checker are showing almost identical results for Alk testing.

I use the RSP because you get so many test out of one refill.

kennedpa · Jun 2, 2017

revhtree said:
My RS Pro and Hanna Checker are showing almost identical results for Alk testing.

805reef said:
+1 on this.

I was using just barely (a week) expired hanna reagents and my alk was 8.5. I got in some new reagent and tested them both at the same time, the old 8.5 the new 11.2. I decided to order the RS pro kit to double check and it matched with the new reagent.

GoVols said:
I use the RSP because you get so many test out of one refill.

RSP alk test rocks, you all have exquisite taste. Randy made a comment about NIST in another thread. It really doesn't mean much. FWIW it just makes the product sounds better.

You get more way than 100 tests too if you squirt the unused back in the bottle!!

VP616 · Jun 2, 2017

805reef said:
+1 on this.

I was using just barely (a week) expired hanna reagents and my alk was 8.5. I got in some new reagent and tested them both at the same time, the old 8.5 the new 11.2. I decided to order the RS pro kit to double check and it matched with the new reagent.

+2. My Hannah and RS Pro are giving me similar alk results. Since you're going to your LFS at some point anyway, might as well have them test your water and see what results they get and compare. Take note of what test kit they use too.