Hanna dKH or Salifert dKH

Coastie Reefer · Nov 17, 2016

I've used Red Sea and I wasn't too fond of it. I've never been all that confident in the results. Now I'm considering the Hanna or Salifert tests but I've never used either.

What are the pros and cons of each?

What would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

Antics · Nov 17, 2016

Haven't used the Salifert test personally, but I think the Hanna dKH is fantastic. Takes a few seconds to do a test and easy to be consistent about once you are comfortable with the measurements and the process involved.

alyee5 · Nov 17, 2016

I haven't used the Salifert...I don't like the Alk test for Red Sea either...I can't judge the end "peach" color very well compared to their Ca and Mg test kits. I bought the Hanna checker and like it because it is very simple...10ml sample, 1 ml reagant => digital reading in less than 60 seconds...makes it easier to take frequent alk readings.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 18, 2016

Both should work well if used properly, but my recommendation is DIY if you have a pH meter:

A DIY Alkalinity Test: By Randy Holmes-Farley
http://www.reefedition.com/a-diy-alkalinity-test-by-randy-holmes-farley/

Osiel Alvarado · Nov 18, 2016

Go with the hanna checker. BRS is having black friday sales and the Hanna checkers are on sale. Go get one

.

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

I'm using salifert at the moment. Thinking about the hanna meter. Either way, my daily alk tests are done with API

Tegridy Reef · Nov 18, 2016

I dodnt like red sea and used salifert i like it but the checker is my favorite i like cause removes human erro also i boight the calibratiom fluid for it amd i always double check with salifert to

ksc · Nov 18, 2016

I also use the API for daily testing. @ $4.99 for over 100 tests you can't beat it. I have noticed over time that it will start to read lower than my Elos and Red Sea kits, but I just chuck it and open a new one.

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

ksc said:
I also use the API for daily testing. @ $4.99 for over 100 tests you can't beat it. I have noticed over time that it will start to read lower than my Elos and Red Sea kits, but I just chuck it and open a new one.

Exactly. At $5 a pop, it gives a good round-a-bout number. I noticed too that each bottle tests slightly different from the other. But maybe it just expires faster than they suggest? Either way, I test with salifert a few times for consistency. Then I test with API and adjust results.

Shameless_Dood · Nov 18, 2016

I would go the hannah meter. The salifert test is similar to the Red Sea, but the color change is more apparent to me.

ksc · Nov 18, 2016

I'd never rely one KH test kit. Use the one that is the cheapest/easiest for regular use, then double check once in awhile with another.

Willz · Nov 18, 2016

ksc said:
I also use the API for daily testing. @ $4.99 for over 100 tests you can't beat it. I have noticed over time that it will start to read lower than my Elos and Red Sea kits, but I just chuck it and open a new one.

I dunno, I just had a major near miss with my tank using API. I switched to LaMotte and found out API was testing consistently ~2dkh higher than the LaMotte tests. For instance API never showed below 8.5 and the LaMotte was showing actual 6.5. That is a big difference.

The LaMotte is very easy to use and no counting drops or comparing shades of color. There are three separate distinct colors representing if you need to add more, you have it dead on, and you went too far. Best test kit I have found. Spendy for the initial kit, but the replacement reagents are on a par with any other kit.

ksc · Nov 18, 2016

What makes you believe the LaMotte was showing the actual KH? Did you test with a 3rd kit?

sinekal · Nov 18, 2016

I use the salifert daily because it so quick and easy to complete a test, and I'm able to see the color change. I also have a Hanna that I use on occasion as my validation. It doesn't take much longer than the salifert, it's essentiallly just as easy, and doesn't require the color change. The checkers are cheap this time of year tooo. So I don't think you can go wrong with either, just decide if you want color change or a number.

Willz · Nov 18, 2016

ksc said:
What makes you believe the LaMotte was showing the actual KH? Did you test with a 3rd kit?

Because it a lab grade kit made by LaMotte.

G8trBait16 · Nov 18, 2016

I use the Hanna dKH for Alk. But I also haven't used anything else.

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

Willz said:
I dunno, I just had a major near miss with my tank using API. I switched to LaMotte and found out API was testing consistently ~2dkh higher than the LaMotte tests. For instance API never showed below 8.5 and the LaMotte was showing actual 6.5. That is a big difference.

The LaMotte is very easy to use and no counting drops or comparing shades of color. There are three separate distinct colors representing if you need to add more, you have it dead on, and you went too far. Best test kit I have found. Spendy for the initial kit, but the replacement reagents are on a par with any other kit.

That is always why i compare my API tests with a kit that i know is good.

Willz · Nov 18, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
That is always why i compare my API tests with a kit that i know is good.

This alkalinity issue just happened so it is fresh in my memory. It is one of the most important measurements we perform on our tanks. So, I'm still a little gun shy about API. When I realized my tank was testing consistently below 7dkh it sort of puckered my butt until I gradually raised it to consistently measure above 7.5.

But I'm sure API makes an OK test as long as you double check it on a regular basis. There are all kinds of ways to reef and no absolute right answers. Just sharing what worked for me

reeferfoxx · Nov 18, 2016

Willz said:
This alkalinity issue just happened so it is fresh in my memory. It is one of the most important measurements we perform on our tanks. So, I'm still a little gun shy about API. When I realized my tank was testing consistently below 7dkh it sort of puckered my butt until I gradually raised it to consistently measure above 7.5.

But I'm sure API makes an OK test as long as you double check it on a regular basis. There are all kinds of ways to reef and no absolute right answers. Just sharing what worked for me

I don't disagree at all! It wouldn't surprise me if I bought a bad bottle of API dKH, in the future. Like I said, I always check it before initial tank use. I like to order my bottles too. In my small town at the LFS, some of these testing products sit on the shelves for years.

Willz · Nov 18, 2016

reeferfoxx said:
I don't disagree at all! It wouldn't surprise me if I bought a bad bottle of API dKH, in the future. Like I said, I always check it before initial tank use. I like to order my bottles too. In my small town at the LFS, some of these testing products sit on the shelves for years.

Definitely agree, if I had been checking it against a good test regularly this would have never happened. Good call on not buying locally. I see a lot of dusty bottles when I got in my LFS. He runs a great shop, but there is little turn over of testing supplies.