Hanna checker feedback

[muggle0981]

Looking to get hanna checker for phosphate and nitrate

any feedback

 

[BeanAnimal]

I think they are terrible, but I am in the minority.

My experience is poor repeatability and poor quality control on reagents. And if you blink when a test is done, the display goes away and you start over. Potential to be good, but poorly implemented and as far as I know have not changed in 10 years.

 

[Mikedawg]

Looking to get hanna checker for phosphate and nitrate

any feedback

I like mine; be sure to get standards for both so you can verify readings/calibration

 

[muggle0981]

Standards?

 

[xabo]

Phosphate Ultra Low Range Checker® HC Calibration Check Set

The Phosphate Ultra Low Range Checker® HC Calibration Check Set HI774-11 provides a stress-free, straightforward way to ensure your handheld colorimeter is working properly and providing accurate phosphate measurements.

www.hannainst.com

 

[mike550]

Looking to get hanna checker for phosphate and nitrate

any feedback

I switched from the Hanna phosphate to the ULR phosphorus because it had better accuracy and measurements in the lower range. I’m also using the Hanna high range nitrate and am really pleased with it as well

 

[EricR]

I use and like Hanna Phosphate ULR and Nitrate HR.
They've been consistent for me and I trust them.
*phosphate tests have matched almost perfectly with LFS Milwaukee digital the few times I've compared

I did get a defective Phosphate ULR initially but it was replaced free of charge
*I found Hanna support to be awesome in that one case

 

[Qwknbad]

I had all the Hannah checkers, I found that the Nitrate and ULR Phosphates were the only ones that I liked, and seemed give accurate results. I scrapped the rest and just use Salifert test kits for everything, other than Nitrate and Phosphate.

 

[Mikedawg]

Standards?

HI774-11 ULR Phosphate Standards for HI774 Hanna Checker

Ensure the performance of your HI774 Ultra Low Range Phosphate Checker with the HI774-11 ULR Phosphate Standards. Each kit includes two cuvettes, one sealed cuvette that will read at 0ppb of Phosphate, and then another cuvette that is tinted to an equivalent of 100ppb (± 0.10) @ 25°C. Each set...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Koty]

I really recommend the FM multi refereence:

• Calcium – 425 mg/L I My Hanna gave 415 (n=1)
• Magnesium – 1,315 mg/L My RedSea Mg gave 1280 (n=1)
• Potassium – 375 mg/L
• Salinity – 33.9 ppt (51.6 mS) @ 75°F
• Alkalinity – 7 DKH (2.5 meq/L)
• Strontium – 7.1 mg/L
• Nitrate – 11.5 mg/L
• Phosphate – 0.05 mg/L

 

[BeanAnimal]

*I found Hanna support to be awesome in that one case

Hanna support is always very nice - but other than actual defective hardware being replaced ALL ISSUE are "user error". I went round and round with them about reagent batches giving very different readings (boxes full of lot numbers tested, using a pipette for liquid measure, etc.) and they basically shrugged and said "user error". I also found significant differences in cuvette marking volumes... not sure if that has changed over the years.

They are fine for "close enough" in most cases.... but I would argue, nowhere near as repeatably accurate as people think. The senseless power off 5 secs after a completed reading just compounds my frustration. In the 10 years I have had these, I would say that 50% or more of my actual water tests were wasted reagent (and time) due to the testing completing while I was not staring right at the unit waiting of the 2min countdown to end. Support said "this is to save battery"... umm ok? You give me 5 secs to see the results and they they go away forever?

 

[EricR]

Hanna support is always very nice - but other than actual defective hardware being replaced ALL ISSUE are "user error"...

I only dealt with Hanna support once and they went above and beyond (in my opinion) to help troubleshoot and honor warranty.
Sent me extra reagent for free to diagnose if reagent was the issue.
Replaced the unit when they agreed it was defective.

...but that was just one, isolated experience

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hanna is the brand I trust and I find the most user friendly

 

[bushdoc]

Like all lab tests, Hanna Checker requires certain diligence and adherence to protocol. There is no magical test kit, which would give you results by turn of a switch. I use Hanna Ultra Low Phosphate checker and Hanna High Nitrate Checker and I am happy with those. For Ca, Alk, MG, I use Aquaforest or Salifert.BTW, they also require lots of diligence and following guidelines.

 

[muggle0981]

Yes i was always salifert, went to aquaforest and didnt feel like results were right or i screwed up-

Going back to salifert-but looking to see best options for nitrate/phosphate testing

and as always everything is subjective

 

[flyingscampi]

I use Hanna Nitrate (HR), Phosphate (ULR), & Alkalinity. I've always had consistent results after using tips I found on R2R.

If you start the Nitrate test first (7 minutes), then the Phosphate (3 minutes), then the KH (instant), you get all three results within a minute of each other...

TIPS...
For consistent results, always use the same vial and cap for every test.

Make sure the inside of the cuvette is free of stains and contaminants.

Rinse out the cuvette with tank water twice.

Use a 10 ml syringe to fill the cuvette with water (the fill lines aren't accurate)
(The bottom of the water curve should touch the fill line on cuvette)

Before placing the cuvette in the tester, dry and clean the cuvette thoroughly with a microfibre cloth before so it is crystal clear (hold it up to the light.)

Always place the cuvette into the tester with the same orientation (e.g., 10 ml mark to the front or hinge of the tester.)

Never place a reagent pipette contaminated with seawater in the reagent bottle. Never allow the pipette to touch the seawater sample.

Always replace the lid on the reagent bottle immediately after drawing the reagent.

Always open reagent pouches correctly (instructions are on the pouch.)
Shape the pouch into a funnel and tap as you pour into cuvette.

After shaking, tap and gently swirl the cuvette to dissipate all bubbles before testing.

Make sure there is no detritus in the cuvette before testing.

Do not leave the reagent in the cuvette too long as it will stain.

After the test, thoroughly rinse the cuvette and syringe pipette with RO/DI water.

Always store the cuvette filled to the brim with RO/DI water.

Once opened, the KH kit reagent will last approximately 2 months.

After 25 tests, discard the KH reagent bottle with any remaining reagent.

Keep the KH reagent refrigerated after opening.

 

[muggle0981]

These would be it-yes?

making sure

buying on brs -anywhwrre better to get

 

[flyingscampi]

Yes.

Hanna Marine Nitrate High Range Checker (HI-782)
Hanna Marine Phosphate Checker ULR (HI-774)

 

[gbroadbridge]

Hanna support is always very nice - but other than actual defective hardware being replaced ALL ISSUE are "user error". I went round and round with them about reagent batches giving very different readings (boxes full of lot numbers tested, using a pipette for liquid measure, etc.) and they basically shrugged and said "user error". I also found significant differences in cuvette marking volumes... not sure if that has changed over the years.

They are fine for "close enough" in most cases.... but I would argue, nowhere near as repeatably accurate as people think. The senseless power off 5 secs after a completed reading just compounds my frustration. In the 10 years I have had these, I would say that 50% or more of my actual water tests were wasted reagent (and time) due to the testing completing while I was not staring right at the unit waiting of the 2min countdown to end. Support said "this is to save battery"... umm ok? You give me 5 secs to see the results and they they go away forever?

None of mine auto power off in less than 3 minutes, in fact the Nitrate is 10 minutes.

They must have listened to you.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Like all lab tests, Hanna Checker requires certain diligence and adherence to protocol. There is no magical test kit, which would give you results by turn of a switch. I use Hanna Ultra Low Phosphate checker and Hanna High Nitrate Checker and I am happy with those. For Ca, Alk, MG, I use Aquaforest or Salifert.BTW, they also require lots of diligence and following guidelines.

My biggest issue (other than the timing frustrations) has been with reagent consistency.

None of mine auto power off in less than 3 minutes, in fact the Nitrate is 10 minutes.

They must have listened to you.

I did make one heck of a racket about it for a long time

That is actually a big improvement. Somebody said that the mixing timer was increased from 2 mins to 3 as well. But assume it is NOT displayed as a countdown either.

I still have reagent issues... and am not that interested in purchasing new testers to replace the originals. Time will tell.