Hanna alk checker worth it

[A Toadstool Leather]

My salifert alk test is running out of reagent and I am considering getting the hanna checker to replace it. I do like the salifert tests, but I am wondering if a hanna checker is worth the extra cost.

 

[Crabs McJones]

My salifert alk test is running out of reagent and I am considering getting the hanna checker to replace it. I do like the salifert tests, but I am wondering if a hanna checker is worth the extra cost.

I switched from the Salifert to the Hannah and I absolutely love it. There's no guessing when the color is correct, you put the vial in the tester and it gives you a digital readout. When done correctly the Hannah tester can be highly accurate

 

[Brien]

Absolutely it's worth it.

 

[cracker]

I "love" my Hanna dkh checker ! You won't be disappointed. Very convenient tool. No matching colors or counting drops !

 

[Midrats]

I have both and much prefer the Salifert. I don't know if it's because I can practically run it with my eyes closed or the fact that I get so many more tests out of it. It always seemed like I was out of the Hanna reagent, or the reagent would get stringy stuff in it sometimes, I don't know, just prefer my old Salifert. The Hanna is no faster, at least for me.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve not used the Hanna, but I don’t see a reason for me to get one. I would prefer to do a DIY titration.

 

[Larry L]

Using the Hanna checker is very fast and no-fuss. It makes me more likely to keep up with testing regularly.

 

[mystersyster]

I like the hanna change a lot. I prefer the digital readout for sure.

 

[ytro82]

I have lost faith in my Hanna Kh Checker. I purchased 2 refill reagents (same expiration and lot #) and they gave me 2 different results. One reagent said 7' and the other said 6'. I did the tests exactly the same and even repeated them to make sure it wasn't user error. Hanna has been known to have consistency issues with their reagents in the past.

 

[Midrats]

I have lost faith in my Hanna Kh Checker. I purchased 2 refill reagents (same expiration and lot #) and they gave me 2 different results. One reagent said 7' and the other said 6'. I did the tests exactly the same and even repeated them to make sure it wasn't user error. Hanna has been known to have consistency issues with their reagents in the past.

I failed to mention this and it was the main reason I posted in the first place. I have experienced the same thing.

 

[jduong916]

I don't think the hanna checker is very accurate. I've always got results 1 to 2 dkh above what it should be. The results were repeatable though. I've since stopped using the checker and only rely on the red sea test for alk.

 

[Potatohead]

I have used the checker at least 200 times and only maybe 3-4 times have I had a weird reading. Not sure what to say but it works great for me.

 

[dede]

I have the hanna checker and love getting a digital reading, but I am experiencing the same problems as others with hit or miss reagents. I just got some new reagent and it test 6.16 compared to the old reagent and red sea testing at 8.7. That is a huge difference.

What is worse is that I contacted Hanna tech days ago and have yet to receive a response on the reagent or lot number.

So question for those that get bad reagent, the bad reagent is at least consistent with its readings over several test, can I just add the amount to every reading it is off. For example the new bottle consistently reads 110 ppm when the old bottle read 157. Can I just add 47 ppm to the new bottles readings to get what the reading should be? Would that work?

I know the reagent is only 8 bucks but if I have to go through a couple orders to get a good bottle I mine as well just use my red sea kit.

 

[Mortie31]

I have the hanna checker and love getting a digital reading, but I am experiencing the same problems as others with hit or miss reagents. I just got some new reagent and it test 6.16 compared to the old reagent and red sea testing at 8.7. That is a huge difference.

What is worse is that I contacted Hanna tech days ago and have yet to receive a response on the reagent or lot number.

So question for those that get bad reagent, the bad reagent is at least consistent with its readings over several test, can I just add the amount to every reading it is off. For example the new bottle consistently reads 110 ppm when the old bottle read 157. Can I just add 47 ppm to the new bottles readings to get what the reading should be? Would that work?

I know the reagent is only 8 bucks but if I have to go through a couple orders to get a good bottle I mine as well just use my red sea kit.

As I’m getting to the end of a reagent bottle I’ll do back to back tests with the old and new reagents and make a note of the difference and adjust, usually it’s only a few points difference.

 

[Phillyd1990]

YES! i love it. Very accurate and it takes no more than a minute if that. Pretty great seeing as alkalinity is something i test for quite often

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

YES! i love it. Very accurate and it takes no more than a minute if that. Pretty great seeing as alkalinity is something i test for quite often

How do you know it is accurate for you?

 

[Dawgvet]

My Hanna Alk checker is consistently 1 dKH lower than my Salifert (I was running both initially for multiple weeks when I first got the Hanna). I just now add 1 dKH to whatever result I get from Hanna.

 

[Fin]

Cool gadget. I have one. I just wish I could honestly trust that the readings I get are accurate. If I have to use a titration test to check the checker, then I would prefer to just use the old school method.

 

[jimbob928]

Does anyone make an accurate solution with known dKH we could use to check whatever test method we use? Kind of like having 7 & 10 pH calibration solutions.

 

[MTBake]

My Hanna Alk checker is consistently 1 dKH lower than my Salifert (I was running both initially for multiple weeks when I first got the Hanna). I just now add 1 dKH to whatever result I get from Hanna.

I get the same difference when compared to my Salifert test. I've been using Salifert for 8 years or so and Hanna for 4 months. I'll stick with Salifert results.