Hanna Nitrate Checker Experience

[Amateur Reefer]

Just got my Hanna Nitrate Checker, and like everyone else experienced a learning curve. Sure, it took me 2 times to get it right--but let's be honest, it also took two times when I first got the phosphate checker.

But I did experience an issue that I don't think others have mentioned yet. The instructions say there will be an 8 minute timer countdown until the reading. But I did not get a countdown. I got my results immediately. And the results are pretty much the same as my API test kit (the only other test kit I had sitting around).

Anyone else have this experience?

 

[Roosterjack]

Just got my Hanna Nitrate Checker, and like everyone else experienced a learning curve. Sure, it took me 2 times to get it right--but let's be honest, it also took two times when I first got the phosphate checker.

But I did experience an issue that I don't think others have mentioned yet. The instructions say there will be an 8 minute timer countdown until the reading. But I did not get a countdown. I got my results immediately. And the results are pretty much the same as my API test kit (the only other test kit I had sitting around).

Anyone else have this experience?

Yes...the Timer thing happens if you do not hold in the button long enough.

 

[jaxredsoxfan]

You should hold down the button after C@ until you see the timer start. Are you just pressing it briefly or holding it down? I didnt have any problems with mine.

 

[mrk1720]

yeah.. you gotta press the button until the timer starts. And look at it before it times out and shuts off.

 

[Amateur Reefer]

Aha, thanks. I don't have the patience to do another involved test tonight, but will try that tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[hyeclass]

You should hold down the button after C@ until you see the timer start. Are you just pressing it briefly or holding it down? I didnt have any problems with mine.

Question 2.53ppm what is it 0 - 50 ?

 

[takitaj]

Question 2.53ppm what is it 0 - 50 ?

Unless you did the extra steps to dilute the sample with fresh saltwater then that is the actual reading in ppm like all the other tests, ie: Salifert, API, etc. As long as you did all the steps correctly and used the timer. You need to read the instruction pamphlet.

Some tips for everyone & those worried about the checker timing out before the test is completed;

1) Get the filter ready & cut open and get the powder packets ready to go before starting the test.
2) Don't turn on the checker until you have the initial C1 sample ready to go in. Then you'll have 10 minutes to add reagent C & shake, clean cuvette, insert and start timer.
3) Go slow when pushing the sample through the filter. (takes 20-30 seconds)
3) Don't forget to hold the button to start the 8 minute timer for C2 or you'll have to start over.
4) Don't forget to look at the results at the end of the timer before it times out and shuts off.
5) Most importantly read the instructions before you start the test. There are more steps than the regular color matching tests but it's really not that hard.

 

[hyeclass]

Unless you did the extra steps to dilute the sample with fresh saltwater then that is the actual reading in ppm like all the other tests, ie: Salifert, API, etc. As long as you did all the steps correctly and used the timer. You need to read the instruction pamphlet.

Some tips for everyone & those worried about the checker timing out before the test is completed;

1) Get the filter ready & cut open and get the powder packets ready to go before starting the test.
2) Don't turn on the checker until you have the initial C1 sample ready to go in. Then you'll have 10 minutes to add reagent C & shake, clean cuvette, insert and start timer.
3) Go slow when pushing the sample through the filter. (takes 20-30 seconds)
3) Don't forget to hold the button to start the 8 minute timer for C2 or you'll have to start over.
4) Don't forget to look at the results at the end of the timer before it times out and shuts off.
5) Most importantly read the instructions before you start the test. There are more steps than the regular color matching tests but it's really not that hard.

I never used the time thank you for the clarification

 

[hyeclass]

I never used the time thank you for the clarification

I used this YouTube instructions


His not using the timer

 

[Adamantium]

I used this YouTube instructions


His not using the timer

At 6:40 he uses the timer...

 

[Sdot]

Question 2.53ppm what is it 0 - 50 ?

Its only good for 0-5ppm unless your follow the extra steps as others have mentioned. I own one and honestly not worth it...im sticking with nyos unless i dip below 5 ppm and need to get an exact number. If you didn't have to do the extra steps for 5-50ppm i think it would have been worth it.

 

[takitaj]

He did use the timer @ 6:40. Leaving out all the other steps for conversation's sake, turn on the checker, it does self test the reads C1, insert the cuvette and press the button and after a few seconds it reads C2. Take out cuvette, do the rest of the steps, insert cuvette then press and hold the button until it reads 8:00. After the timer counts down it'll read and display the nitrate value.

Edit: sorry others responded while I was typing. My nitrates and phosphates run very low so in order to keep them from bottoming out I use this checker. If they ran higher I would just use a standard test.

 

[hyeclass]

He did use the timer @ 6:40. Leaving out all the other steps for conversation's sake, turn on the checker, it does self test the reads C1, insert the cuvette and press the button and after a few seconds it reads C2. Take out cuvette, do the rest of the steps, insert cuvette then press and hold the button until it reads 8:00. After the timer counts down it'll read and display the nitrate value.

Edit: sorry others responded while I was typing. My nitrates and phosphates run very low so in order to keep them from bottoming out I use this checker. If they ran higher I would just use a standard test.

What i did wrong is at the end I did hold the button without holding the button I guess I will get wrong results that's the only thing I did wrong

I am going to test it when I go home see what's the results I get

 

[hyeclass]

He did use the timer @ 6:40. Leaving out all the other steps for conversation's sake, turn on the checker, it does self test the reads C1, insert the cuvette and press the button and after a few seconds it reads C2. Take out cuvette, do the rest of the steps, insert cuvette then press and hold the button until it reads 8:00. After the timer counts down it'll read and display the nitrate value.

Edit: sorry others responded while I was typing. My nitrates and phosphates run very low so in order to keep them from bottoming out I use this checker. If they ran higher I would just use a standard test.

Its only good for 0-5ppm unless your follow the extra steps as others have mentioned. I own one and honestly not worth it...im sticking with nyos unless i dip below 5 ppm and need to get an exact number. If you didn't have to do the extra steps for 5-50ppm i think it would have been worth it.

For example if its reading 2.59ppm what is it 25 it's confusing

 

[takitaj]

Nope. If you did everything correct (timer & all) and did not use the dilution steps (added 7ml of sample) then that would be 2.59 ppm. If you did the dilution steps then it would be x10 or 25.9.

 

[dadnjesse]

Nope. If you did everything correct (timer & all) and did not use the dilution steps (added 7ml of sample) then that would be 2.59 ppm. If you did the dilution steps then it would be x10 or 25.9.

When I tested with mine the first time I got a flashing 5 so I redid with the extra dilution steps and got 2.5 but I did not realize you had to multiply by 10.

 

[hyeclass]

Nope. If you did everything correct (timer & all) and did not use the dilution steps (added 7ml of sample) then that would be 2.59 ppm. If you did the dilution steps then it would be x10 or 25.9.

that was simple ty

 

[hyeclass]

When I tested with mine the first time I got a flashing 5 so I redid with the extra dilution steps and got 2.5 but I did not realize you had to multiply by 10.

flashing 5 means your more than 50 hanna is for less than 50

 

[Sdot]

flashing 5 means your more than 50 hanna is for less than 50

i think you mean its more than 5ppm and less than 50.

 

[hyeclass]

i think you mean its more than 5ppm and less than 50.

his asking when it was flashing more than 5ppm , hanna checker is made for lr more then 5 it cannot read it that means it's more than 50