David Abbott
Active Member
What are the most important "checkers" for a beginner. I'm starting my cycle in a month or so, and want to use checkers
Hanna Checkers
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Sea_Shanty_Corals
New Member
Phosphate, salinity, alkalinity, calcium.
SaltwaterAquarium.com has a bundle with these.
once the Nitrate HIgh Range becomes available, I’d probably add that one too. Should be available in July / August.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
SaltwaterAquarium.com has a bundle with these.
once the Nitrate HIgh Range becomes available, I’d probably add that one too. Should be available in July / August.
Hanna Reef Professional Checker Kit V2 - Hanna
Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.
www.saltwateraquarium.com
NowGlazeIT
Happy to help, Ask away.
Nailed itPhosphate, salinity, alkalinity, calcium.
SaltwaterAquarium.com has a bundle with these.
once the Nitrate HIgh Range becomes available, I’d probably add that one too. Should be available in July / August.
Hanna Reef Professional Checker Kit V2 - Hanna
Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.
NowGlazeIT
Happy to help, Ask away.
Hanna does not make a magnesium checker, yet. It’s important to keep track of magnesium every now and then.
mdb_talon
2500 Club Member
The other parameters people listed i agree are important to check eventually. I would add though that other than phosphate and the new nitrate one coming out you probably won't need to really check the other stuff for quite awhile i personally would wait to buy them(reagents do expire).
For your cycle specifically a ammonia test is all you really have to have(or just wait longer for cycle you dont really even need that).
For your cycle specifically a ammonia test is all you really have to have(or just wait longer for cycle you dont really even need that).
mdb_talon
2500 Club Member
Just the range they can test for. For nitrate the current checker only measures 0-5(unless you do extra steps to dilute sample). The phosphate ulr is in ppb and you have to convert to ppm. Lower range generally more precise, but in my opinion that precision is not relevant.
For Hanna, I would get the PO4 checker , that one I would say is the only one that is near enough a must, the alkalinity for me falls in the nice to have category, it saves time as it's quick to do the test but there a other tests that are just as accurate and cheaper to do.
Hanna is also bringing out a high nitrate checker, that is probably also going to fall in the nice to have camp, the rest I would not rush out to buy especially in the beginning until you know what you prefer.
Hanna salinity checker gets a mixed bag of opinions, again other just as accurate (if not more accurate) options out there, the checker needs a calibration solution so again not the cheapest option. I would recommend the Tropic Marin hydrometer over the Hanna, maybe get the Hanna salinity checker for convenience, and the Tropic Marin for reference.
BoxKing
Active Member
Two big differences.
1. the new checker will be a much simpler process, using only a single packet vs. the multi stage options that are currently available.
2. the new checker gives you the entire range without dilution.
Basically SIMPLIFIED to the max.
I may add, the HANNA Salinity is a must... refractometers/hydrometers are equal to 8 Tracks/CD's
No need to buy the HANNA set of for Cal/ALK until you want to start keeping corals with demands for stability - water changes will suffice till then. My rule: I dont check any parameters in my tank that I dont plan to dose, or make corrective actions against i.e MAG. and currently trace elements
bg2311
Community Member
I really like the Hanna colorimeter checkers for Calc/Alk/and PO4. I had the new Hanna nitrate checker and decided to sell it and switch back to the NYOS nitrate test kit. It's much easier/faster to run the test (5 minutes vs. 17) and the range is accurate enough for our purposes.
+1 on the Hanna salinity tester. It corrects for temperature and has a digital readout. Very handy when you need to do multiple readings in a short period of time (like when mixing salt water).
+1 on the Hanna salinity tester. It corrects for temperature and has a digital readout. Very handy when you need to do multiple readings in a short period of time (like when mixing salt water).
BoxKing
Active Member
The ”new” PO3 checker takes 7 minutes. I have the NYOS, and I feel that its the best/ease of use of them all in that category. The only downside is that the kit is made cheap as hell. My chemical power was all clumpy, and the spoon is so dang frail - broke on me after the third test… so now I haven’t tested PO3 in over a month (don’t care to). patiently awaiting my pre-order Nitrate Checker.
If you get the Salinity Checker, keep in mind that not all Hanna Probe Checkers will read the same Temp. You will want to use another temp gauge in the beginning to get an average and roll with it.
