Hanna checker feedback

[dadnjesse]

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.

Same

 

[Potatohead]

I use only the Phosphorous ULR and the Alkalinity. I am happy with both, as someone posted before there are steps to take to make sure the results are repeatable. The vials need to be spotless.

 

[homer1475]

I have switched from salifert to all hanna except calcium. I like a real number as opposed to guessing a color change.

Just got the magnesium checker, and even with the new reagents, I'm still not sure it's very accurate.

As said above, there are steps to take to make sure the tests are reliable, and repeatable.

 

[gbroadbridge]

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



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.

Now if they would only put a USB port on the devices so that the firmware could be user upgraded ....

Start yelling

 

[gbroadbridge]

I have switched from salifert to all hanna except calcium. I like a real number as opposed to guessing a color change.

Just got the magnesium checker, and even with the new reagents, I'm still not sure it's very accurate.

As said above, there are steps to take to make sure the tests are reliable, and repeatable.

I have no problems with the Ca checker, apart from the cost of reagents.

It does require meticulous attention to detail, and I use lab pipettes rather than the cheap ones supplied.
It always matches ICP within 5 ppm over the last two years for me.

No experience with the Mg, but I only test once every couple of months so RS is fine until it runs out sometime I think around 2030

 

[BeanAnimal]

Now if they would only put a USB port on the devices so that the firmware could be user upgraded ....

Start yelling

In all honesty - I gave up a long time ago. I spent months going back and forth with them about several of these issues years ago.

Realistically at this price point, you will never see a USB port for firmware. The devices are more or less disposable in that sense. Likewise, the powdered reagents are not going to get any more consistent at that price point. It is what it is.

The tests are not bad, but the accuracy and precision (IMHO) are not what are claimed either. There are too many variables with a sample size this small and they way that the cuvettes, reagents, etc are measured and calibrated. I suspect with the timout issue resolved I would be far happier for a "close enough" reading for many of them though.

 

[homer1475]

I have no problems with the Ca checker, apart from the cost of reagents.

It does require meticulous attention to detail, and I use lab pipettes rather than the cheap ones supplied.
It always matches ICP within 5 ppm over the last two years for me.

No experience with the Mg, but I only test once every couple of months so RS is fine until it runs out sometime I think around 2030

I've honestly never tried the calcium checker. I just know it's very prone to user error.

 

[BeanAnimal]

It does require meticulous attention to detail, and I use lab pipettes rather than the cheap ones supplied.

Yep = with a sample this small and no way to ensure that each reagent package is ALL in and mixed, etc. This one variable that you CAN control.

I don't know (don't care at this point) which tests are somewhat volume agnostic (where there is excess reagent and what is needed is reacted) and which are heavily dependent on sample volume to reagent volume ratio.

 

[taricha]

I use and like Hanna Phosphate ULR and Nitrate HR.
They've been consistent for me and I trust them.

Same for me.
I still use the ULR P instead of the more recent PO4 model - but they are basically the same.
I've verified them (PO4 and NO3) against stock additions and they come out within the hanna stated error.
(nobody else in the hobby gives an expected error statement - not even expensive ICP tests - and hanna's checkers have been within their stated error ranges in my experience)

 

[Reefing Reefer]

ULR Phosphate + High Range Nitrate IMO.