Hanna Calcium checker reading high

[BPiers]

I use both Red Sea titration and Hanna checkers, but have noticed that my Calcium checker reads 485, when the Red Sea kit reads 365. That's a HUGE difference, not sure which to put faith in. I know from the BRS videos that the Hanna checker is extrapolated from a .10ml sample, but I would HOPE that the readings were at least in the ballpark.

Which would you believe?? Corals and all look great, as usual.

Thanks!!

 

[BPiers]

Out of curiosity, I reran the test but used RO/DI instead of tank sample water, and the reading was 200?! Shouldn't that be 0? More confused now than before

 

[Lninwa]

I would tend to believe the Red Sea because the Hanna Ca has been fraught with problems. I tried the Hanna Ca but found the Red Sea easier to use. I do trust the Hanna Alk and phos and they are both accurate when compared to others. I don't like the alk powder used by Hanna because it is difficult to get all the powder into the vial without some spilling. They could use a different package for the powder so it is easier to get it all in the vial. Hanna does have standard test vials for alk and pO4 so I imagine they have 1 for Ca. Sorry for the long answer. I'm sure you know test kits are unreliable when expired[emoji4]

 

[BPiers]

Yeah, they have the standard vials, but theres no calibration on the unit...plus I don't want to drop more $ to verify a new checker.

 

[Lninwa]

You can call the folks at Hanna, they are very helpful

 

[BPiers]

So I think I found my issue, which is operator error. My kit has the 100 ul pipette, and I was drawing my sample water by pushing the plunger 100% down (past the first stop). I was instructed by Hanna folks to only go to that first stop, and the bottom out is to ensure 100 of the sample is ejected.
After retesting, my readings are 398, which I can tolerate compared to Red Sea. Hanna did say their meters would read higher than others by default.

 

[Tegridy Reef]

I have calcium and its a piece of crap dont use it i even bought the calibratiom fluid the kh and po4 is good thou but calcium is awful

 

[Lninwa]

Glad you figured it out

 

[BobDale]

I'm late getting into this game, but I thought that people should know that this product is still having problems.

 

[Leishman]

Used mine for the first time last week 520 (450 w Salifert) tried again last night and got 500 (420 on Salifert). Evidently, I did not read the the instructions correctly.

............. I was drawing my sample water by pushing the plunger 100% down (past the first stop). I was instructed by Hanna folks to only go to that first stop, and the bottom out is to ensure 100 of the sample is ejected.

Tonight I will try again with the correct sample size!

 

[Leishman]

Nope. 514 with correct procedure.

 

[Turtles82]

Are you using RO water or distilled? RO won't work, it has to be distilled water.

 

[Turtles82]

Are you using RO water or distilled? RO won't work, it has to be distilled water.

 

[Surfandturf]

Anyone have problems with the first reading coming out to 200?? I just did.

 

[ZoWhat]

Imagine that.... colorimeter not accurate within 5%



.

 

[DSC reef]

@skimjim your hatred for hannah has already been posted....
@Surfandturf, I'm sure there's members here that can actually help you out with the calcium checker. I've always used the alk checker with great results. Here's a bump for you.

 

[Surfandturf]

@skimjim your hatred for hannah has already been posted....
@Surfandturf, I'm sure there's members here that can actually help you out with the calcium checker. I've always used the alk checker with great results. Here's a bump for you.

Thanks for the help. I bought the dkh test too but do not want to open it until I figure out the calcium checker issue. If one can only use "high grade" water purchased from them, then this product has been falsely advertised. Ro/di should be the base in this hobby. Bottled distilled can still have variations.

 

[DSC reef]

Thanks for the help. I bought the dkh test too but do not want to open it until I figure out the calcium checker issue. If one can only use "high grade" water purchased from them, then this product has been falsely advertised. Ro/di should be the base in this hobby. Bottled distilled can still have variations.

Anytime and I agree. Wish I could be of more help.

 

[Talo’s Reef]

I had problems with mine and called them to get some advice. The test is way to sensitive IMO. If you have any contamination from prior tests in your vial or some calcium that got through the RODI etc. then it will give you false reading. I have switched to the red sea for calcium. I use both the DKH and PO4 and am very happy with those.

 

[Surfandturf]

The dkh checker is easy to use and spot on! Still gave not retested the calcium.