Hanna Checkers: Would you buy them?

revhtree · Feb 17, 2016

Thinking about getting the Alkalinity, Calcium, and Phosphate checker. I've seen mixed reviews. Would you do it?

tankstudy · Feb 17, 2016

I actually own all three. I plan to get the phosphorous checker as you can get much lower phosphate reads.

d2mini · Feb 17, 2016

Alkalinity for sure. Not that impressed with the others. The phosphorous checker is the only other one I use and it's a PITA to get consistent results.
BTW, Hanna has a new alk checker that doesn't require the conversion from ppm to dkh.

aaron23 · Feb 17, 2016

DO NOT DO IT REV. the alkalinity checker that we've all said we got a bad batch, they switched to a new alk checker with powder instead of liquid reagent just a week or two ago. I question the quality and reliability.

Hanna has gotten its reputation through the phosphate checker thats the only thing i'd buy from them.

acesfull44 · Feb 17, 2016

Just got my phosphorous checker yesterday, and waiting the arrival of the Alk checker(should be the next few days). I was told those are the 2 most reliable and used testers they have. Seems like my LFS uses Hanna for those 2 tests, Milwakee tester for Salinity and Red Sea/Sailfert for the rest.

PSXerholic · Feb 17, 2016

aaron23 said:
DO NOT DO IT REV. the alkalinity checker that we've all said we got a bad batch, they switched to a new alk checker with powder instead of liquid reagent just a week or two ago. I question the quality and reliability.

Hanna has gotten its reputation through the phosphate checker thats the only thing i'd buy from them.

Dennis, agree. For Phosporous and Phosphate awesome alternative. The rest I would keep my hands off.
Just the handling and required cleanliness for simple parameter measurements is very annoying then.

StikHedRon · Feb 17, 2016

I would buy the po4 and alk ones

jolt · Feb 17, 2016

Very happy with alk and P04, despite the recent reagent problems on alk, customer service was very good in replacing the reagent

Jimbo · Feb 17, 2016

I have the Alk and the ULR phosphorous checker. I've pretty much given up on the Alk checker and do not trust it ( Bad reagents numerous times over the years I've had it, including recently) I need a Salifert Alk test as a back up because I don't trust it so why bother anymore?

The phosphate checker I would buy again ( Get the ULR one) you have to be VERY precise with the test to get consistent results but it can be done. I'd probably go with something else to test PO4 but there really aren't any other good kits out there. The Hanna is probably your best bet here.

Definitely do not get the Hanna Cacium Checker.Had it and sent it back. Too many steps and results all over the place. I stick with Salifert for calcium. Consistent and reliable.

DereksReef77 · Feb 17, 2016

I have all 3 hannah checkers. The only one I used so far is the phosphate checker. To tell you the truth I would not buy it again. Totally different readings every time I use it. I will usually run 3 test with the same solution and get a different reading every time. Not accurate and definitely not consistent. Buyer beware.

hybridazn · Feb 17, 2016

I've had all 3. I still use alk and phosphate. I sold the calcium because it wasn't any easier or quicker than the red Sea calcium test kit I use currently.

Greenstreet.1 · Feb 17, 2016

I have po4 and ULR the po4 has been more consistent than the ulr for me. Over all I would say they are worth it.

Sabellafella · Feb 17, 2016

Figured youd have them by now lol. All the checkers beside the calcium test down low enuff that even if i dont get a consistent reading its better then a user error on a titration. Using the hannah checkers correctly basically comes down to the 10 ml in the corvette. If you add 1 drop more then 10ml the test comes out different. I love my hannahs, hannah usa costumer service is awesome and will overnight ship if your having problems,just wish they made them as easy as the alk

Anirban · Feb 17, 2016

I own phosphate and alkalinity and they work great...

Drauka99 · Feb 17, 2016

Skip the Calcium one. I love my ALK and Phosphate one. The Phosphorus one is slightly better resolution but requires a conversion

DansReef.co.uk · Feb 17, 2016

The phosphate or phosphorus & alkalinity for me are absolutely worth their weight in gold! - I love them!

In fact, heres a couple of videos on the above!

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hanna-handheld-phosphate-checker.235646/

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/hanna-handheld-alkalinity-checker.235655/

RMS18 · Feb 17, 2016

I own po4 and alk. These 2 tests are to hard to read with color charts. I have tried redsea and salifurt. Cal, mag I use redsea.

gojk · Feb 17, 2016

I have Alk, Calcium, and Phosphorus. They are all great and I get very consistent results. I make sure to keep the vial free of finger prints and rinse them out after each test and they have been pretty solid for me.

Rybren · Feb 17, 2016

I rarely test for anything, but when I do, API is generally close enough for my needs. I did recently pick up a few Salifert tests for S&G, but I can't see myself ever needing or wanting the Hanna units (famous last words...)