Hanna P04 Testing

Tyler Bullock · May 7, 2019

I plan on testing p04 her shortly and am looking at getting a Hanna Checker. I have never tested for phosphates on any of my tanks. One tank is a year old. Other is 2 months old. I see there are many models out there and I understand what all of them do.

Phosphate ULR - H1774 - reads in ppm
Phosphorus ULR - H1736 - reads in ppb

I am assuming I would want to get one of these models. I started reading reviews of them online and you guessed it. All over the place..........ups and downs......Should I just get the newer model? H1774?

jent · May 7, 2019

Phosphorus is more accurate, but requires a conversation (*3.066 / 1000 I believe). I would get the phosphorus personally.

Dual40IM · May 7, 2019

There is a conversion chart on Hanna's website. Makes it easier and quicker.

BeejReef · May 7, 2019

I have H17774. I honestly don't care for it, but again, I doubt I'd like the newer one either. IMHO, if your setup requires a strict, ultra low phosphate range.. like .02 - .05, you might try the newer model. The 1774 technically reads in that range, but seems to easily vary .03 or so in either direction. I've only used Hanna for phosphate, so I have no point of comparison.

They're not easy to use though. Aside from having to maintain the vials in pristine condition with lots of wiping and polishing, you also have to get the reagents out of a stiff, hard to open, hard to empty foil envelope into a 1/4" mouth of a vial. Typically, I'm kneeling on the floor with a moist cloth, a folded post-it note to funnel the reagents, with the vial face-level on a table. I imagine they're very accurate, but they're not easy

jda · May 7, 2019

The 736 is better unless you have really high phosphates. The 736 will read up to about .6, or so.

Hillbillyreefer · May 7, 2019

I have both models. My tank destroys phosphates and is difficult to maintain a minimum 0.01ppm. My preference is the phosphorous PPB (HI1736) tester. As long as you keep the cuvettes squeaky clean they work very well. Use a glass cleaner cloth to handle the vials makes it much easier, rinse in RODI as soon as your done the test and the vials stay clean.

I have had a bad batch of reagents, that’s a frustrating experience, other than that they work well.

If you cut the reagent packet like this and fold it into a funnel shape adding the powder is easy peasy.

Tyler Bullock · May 7, 2019

The range you want to be in is .03-.09? is that correct?

BeejReef · May 7, 2019

William DeCoursey said:
I have H17774. I honestly don't care for it, but again, I doubt I'd like the newer one either. IMHO, if your setup requires a strict, ultra low phosphate range.. like .02 - .05, you might try the newer model. The 1774 technically reads in that range, but seems to easily vary .03 or so in either direction. I've only used Hanna for phosphate, so I have no point of comparison.

They're not easy to use though. Aside from having to maintain the vials in pristine condition with lots of wiping and polishing, you also have to get the reagents out of a stiff, hard to open, hard to empty foil envelope into a 1/4" mouth of a vial. Typically, I'm kneeling on the floor with a moist cloth, a folded post-it note to funnel the reagents, with the vial face-level on a table. I imagine they're very accurate, but they're not easy

Correction, I have the H1713 - low range phosphate. BRS has a BRS Investigates video right on the page they sell the checkers you're inquiring about. Seems pretty definitive that the phosphorous checker is superior if you need ultra low range.

infinite0180 · May 7, 2019

I debated between the HI736 and the HI774 for a few days. I ended up going with the newer HI774... its a tiny tiny tiny bit less accurate than the HI736 but for me the fact that the auto off timer is longer and the conversion is done to ppm automatically sold me on it. Im very happy with it soo far. It matched my red sea kit down at the 0.02 level and as ive been dosing PO4 it has done great! If i was trying to run a ULNS i would have gotten the HI736 but my sps do much better with PO4 present. I just want to be able to tell that im close to 0.05 and the HI774 does that perfectly!

Edit: the HI713 is a totally diff animal and not a ultra low range checker. Not to be confused with the new HI774.

infinite0180 · May 7, 2019

Heres a review of the new HI774:

Potatohead · May 7, 2019

jent said:
Phosphorus is more accurate, but requires a conversation (*3.066 / 1000 I believe). I would get the phosphorus personally.

There's actually a brand new one that does the conversion for you. HI-774

Tyler Bullock · May 7, 2019

Haha yeah, I watched all those video's last night. I will not be running a ULN system. I plan on keeping the 90 a pure sps tank. Thank you all for the wonderful information. I think my mind is made up!

infinite0180 · May 7, 2019

Tyler Bullock said:
Haha yeah, I watched all those video's last night. I will not be running a ULN system. I plan on keeping the 90 a pure sps tank. Thank you all for the wonderful information. I think my mind is made up!

Which one you getting?

Potatohead · May 7, 2019

infinite0180 said:
Which one you getting?

Hopefully the 774 because it makes the other two pretty much redundant for our use.

cracker · May 7, 2019

Consider ordering a box of the regents as well. The kit only supply a few or 7 . You will go thru those pretty quick until Ya get used to using the kit.

Sod Buster · May 7, 2019

Hillbillyreefer said:
If you cut the reagent packet like this and fold it into a funnel shape adding the powder is easy peasy.

I also crease the foil packet on a diagonal and knip the foil spoils all the way off the packet. Then spread the cut packet open with a plastic toothpick, use the crease as my funnel, and the toothpick as a shovel to get it all. I also have the stopwatch set on my phone so I know when I'm getting close to the three minute shutdown. Keep the vials squeaky clean, and another tip is to orient the vial each time so the "10ml" is always to the small latch click. The vial needs to be exactly put back for accuracy. I'm glad they do the math for you and extended the timer on the new ones. A nice upgrade.

rkpetersen · May 7, 2019

I love the 736. I've been using it quite a while and the conversion to phosphate is automatic in my head at this point.
Accurate, with multiple comparison to ICPOES results.
Actually I mostly just think in phosphorus now. Try to keep it around 10 to 20.

Consider ordering a box of the regents as well. The kit only supply a few or 7 . You will go thru those pretty quick until Ya get used to using the kit.

Yes they're very stingy with the reagent, which is odd, considering that the reagent is very cheap and it wouldn't have cost much to include a reasonable number of packets.

rkpetersen · May 7, 2019

I've mentioned this several times before, but here's what I use to get all the reagent into the cuvette quickly and completely, with all Hanna checkers that use a dry reagent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GPWXN0U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are just the perfect size for use with the Hanna vials.

BeejReef · May 7, 2019

rkpetersen said:
I've mentioned this several times before, but here's what I use to get all the reagent into the cuvette quickly and completely, with all Hanna checkers that use a dry reagent.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GPWXN0U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are just the perfect size for use with the Hanna vials.

That's clutch! One of those funnels and a little block of wood drilled out to hold the vial securely.... frankly, they should sell it.. lol.

infinite0180 · May 7, 2019

cracker said:
Consider ordering a box of the regents as well. The kit only supply a few or 7 . You will go thru those pretty quick until Ya get used to using the kit.

I got 10 with my HI774