Hanna Alk Reagent issue

[greg0385]

Is anybody else getting aggrevated with the last 10 test of each reagent bottle?
I hear only great things about how accurate this tester is. I do agree with the first 15 test but toward the end of each bottle, i start to get floating debris in each test vial. This starts to give inconsistent readings. In which i have to buy more reagent and wasting or throwing away roughly the last 10 test reagent.

Any suggestions or tips on how to prevent this floating debris in last half of the bottle?


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[Budman's Corals]

Is anybody else getting aggrevated with the last 10 test of each reagent bottle?
I hear only great things about how accurate this tester is. I do agree with the first 15 test but toward the end of each bottle, i start to get floating debris in each test vial. This starts to give inconsistent readings. In which i have to buy more reagent and wasting or throwing away roughly the last 10 test reagent.

Any suggestions or tips on how to prevent this floating debris in last half of the bottle?


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Is yours actually reading correct levels, Mine has been off from my other 2 kits almost 1 ppm,Ive only have used 7 test so far but thanks for the heads up on it

 

[mcarroll]

One thing to consider (IIRC) is that you are supposed to be allowing time for settling in the Checker equal to the amount of time shaking outside the Checker. This should take care of any potential issues like you're describing, so just double check that you're allowing this time. I've been though several bottles without any apparent issues like this, FWIW.

I've also found that it's always worth double checking all your steps if you have any problems with these Checkers. Make sure you have no scratches, smudges, fingerprints - anything - on the vial. Make sure the syringe and fittings are all still on correctly and otherwise up to snuff. Every little detail adds up in these meters.

If you've gone through all that and you know for sure you are getting bogus results from the liquid, it's definitely worth a call to Hanna. No need to get aggravated - they've always been good to work with for me!

-Matt

 

[greg0385]

I got the filling the curvette up to a science,2x 5ml syringe, 1ml syringe and draw out 0.4ml back out for a perfect amount each time.
I fill two curvettes up with tank water. One of them i put 1ml of reagent in and shake up for a minute,Then let it settle.
The other curvette is what i use to calibrate the checker while the other one is used to the final test with.

I have also done the test with one curvette only and gentle turning to mix the reagent.

Both procedures lead to the same result when dealing with floating debris.

Here is a pic of the curvette that im fixing to use now to show the debris in it that causes inconsistent test results.

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[Budman's Corals]

I thought it said to shake just for 5 seconds,or 5 rotations'

oh i see what you said..
hmm

 

[mcarroll]

This doesn't have anything to do with the particulates, but using a single cuvette for the whole test is definitely the only correct way to calibrate.

Even if the two cuvettes were optically identical from the factory (and they are close), it only takes a little real-world use before they become unique in the eye of your meter.

Just in case it helps for a double-check, here's Hanna's vid of the alk test being run. Nothing fancy in this test tho.
HI 755 Alkalinity Checker HC - YouTube

I thought the "Sampling Procedures" section of this Advanced Aquarist review made some interesting suggestions, including filtering your sample water if there are any particulates. Are you positive the stuff in your pic is from the reagent and not your sample water?

Maybe give Hanna a ring or use their live chat during business hours and see what their take is?

-Matt

 

[jservedio]

I've never heard of anyone ever having trouble with the reagents for the Alkalinity checker - only the phosphate because they are a pain to get all the reagent out of the packet and mixed in (while you get used to it). With the Alkalinity test you should NOT be shaking the cuvette. You only need to invert it 5 or 6 times and that is it. Don't make any bubbles or anything. If you need extra time once "C2" appears on the screen, you can hold down the button for 5 seconds and a 2:00 countdown timer will start. I've never needed more than 30 seconds to remove the cuvette, measure 1ml, put it in, invert it a few times, clean the cuvette with a towel, and put it back in.

Always use the same cuvette and align it in the checker the same way every time - even though they are lab-grade, they still have imperfections. Always clean off the cuvette with a clean towel before putting it into the checker and never leave water/reagent in the cuvette longer than absolutely necessary since it will eventually etch the glass (their warning).

If you are getting particulates in the reagent bottle, you are doing something wrong and must be contaminating it. Use a dedicated syringe for the reagent bottle and make sure it stays super clean. Never leave the reagent bottle open for more than a few seconds and make sure it is sealed tightly (the first night I got my checker I ended up spilling half the bottle because the lid wasn't sealed). If you use the 1ml syringe for anything else and it touches tank water, bacteria will probably start growing in the reagent bottle.

Also - you picture looks like hell. It looks like the cuvette is dirty and there are all kinds of nasties in there which will obviously throw off the test. Make sure the tank water has nothing floating in it (you can run the water through a filter pad into a sample cup if your tank has a ton of particulates).

 

[greg0385]

I've never heard of anyone ever having trouble with the reagents for the Alkalinity checker - only the phosphate because they are a pain to get all the reagent out of the packet and mixed in (while you get used to it). With the Alkalinity test you should NOT be shaking the cuvette. You only need to invert it 5 or 6 times and that is it. Don't make any bubbles or anything. If you need extra time once "C2" appears on the screen, you can hold down the button for 5 seconds and a 2:00 countdown timer will start. I've never needed more than 30 seconds to remove the cuvette, measure 1ml, put it in, invert it a few times, clean the cuvette with a towel, and put it back in.

Always use the same cuvette and align it in the checker the same way every time - even though they are lab-grade, they still have imperfections. Always clean off the cuvette with a clean towel before putting it into the checker and never leave water/reagent in the cuvette longer than absolutely necessary since it will eventually etch the glass (their warning).

If you are getting particulates in the reagent bottle, you are doing something wrong and must be contaminating it. Use a dedicated syringe for the reagent bottle and make sure it stays super clean. Never leave the reagent bottle open for more than a few seconds and make sure it is sealed tightly (the first night I got my checker I ended up spilling half the bottle because the lid wasn't sealed). If you use the 1ml syringe for anything else and it touches tank water, bacteria will probably start growing in the reagent bottle.

Also - you picture looks like hell. It looks like the cuvette is dirty and there are all kinds of nasties in there which will obviously throw off the test. Make sure the tank water has nothing floating in it (you can run the water through a filter pad into a sample cup if your tank has a ton of particulates).

I do invert the curvette only a few times on the first half and was experimenting on shaking it on the last half of the bottom of the bottle. Typically i dont shake it and try to follow the instructions exactly.

I had a flashlight pointed on the curvette to try to get the gunk to reflect well enough to show up in the pic.

I clean the curvette with a lint free towel after filling with water and after adding the reagent.

I use the same syringe and the tank water is clean without any particles in it. Why would that be any different then floating particles that are in the reagent?

I tighten the lid on the bottle after each use

I always clean the curvette after each test.

The only thing i havent done is turn the curvette the same way into the tester. To be honest, if this tester is that picky than maybe i should try a different alk test kit to compare test results.

Hanna sent me a email stating to give them the lot# and they would send me a replacement for my troubles.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions so far.
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[rworegon]

Wow, never seen that before. Looks like algae floating around in there. I've never had any problem with Hanna reagents. Even with the phosphate packets. With a little patience and a crease in one side I funnel the powder right in.