Hanna phosphate checker SUCKS

[moz71]

Just like you others any test that requires seeing color matching forgetaboutit!

 

[soymilk]

I found out a while back I was testing it wrong. I didn't really read the instructions and after putting the powder in and shaking for 2 mins. I didn't press and hold the button until the timer showed up.

I found out that if you just hit the button and it does the color check right away, I got inconsistent results.

 

[Wasabiroot]

I got the Hanna ULR Phosphate test kit awhile back ,and every time I test it gives me an error or an insanely high number. I just tested 3 times and the tests came out to be .25, .54, and .45. I gave up on the test awhile ago, and I just bring a sample of my water for my LFS to test. It always comes back at 0 or I have a little bit of phosphate. My LFS uses the same phosphate checker, but results are completely different. I’ve gone through 2 things of reagent with mine and still get inconsistent results. Could I have gotten a faulty checker? I’m wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem with their Phosphate ULR? I thought these were supposed to be the best!

I have the ULR checker and one can get false positives.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Ensure the vial is free of water and smudges. I like to use fresh microfiber towels for this.
2. Ensure you shake for 2 minutes but not so vigorously you create bubbles. I like to tilt it back and forth.
3. Any foreign object in the vial, like an ERRANT CAT HAIR, THANKS CATS will throw off the results.
4. Rinse a few times with RO water between each use if possible.
5. Test in same position of the vial.

They are certainly finicky but if you take your time it's fairly consistent and within error ranges.

 

[Sean Clark]

Personally I prefer the Red Sea pro test over my Hanna. But I don't know which is more accurate. To me it is more about consistency. I can run three test with each and for me the Red Sea is very consistent where the Hanna may or may not deviate even while pulling samples from the same cup.

 

[soymilk]

my problem with the hanna is forgetting the countdown and coming back 10 mins later to find out I timed out. Why they didn't have press to wake with the last measurement is beyond me

 

[Sean Clark]

my problem with the hanna is forgetting the countdown and coming back 10 mins later to find out I timed out. Why they didn't have press to wake with the last measurement is beyond me

I always set a timer on my phone so I don't miss it. A memory function would be nice.

 

[blaxsun]

I found out that if you just hit the button and it does the color check right away, I got inconsistent results.

Frak, I just realized I didn't do that. My wife, the biologist, usually runs the Hanna tests because "I don't read the instructions". So chalk my last inconsistency up to user error.

 

[lakai]

you can kind of get a ballpark depending on how blue it is after you mix the packet. But yeah its a pita without a magnetic stirrer and two vials.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Personally I prefer the Red Sea pro test over my Hanna. But I don't know which is more accurate. To me it is more about consistency. I can run three test with each and for me the Red Sea is very consistent where the Hanna may or may not deviate even while pulling samples from the same cup.

I find the red sea pro about as accurate as the hanna, in fact based on todays ICP it is probably closer - but that's probably a lucky reagent Lucky reagent applies to both.

It's the 15 mins that's a pain, but at least it gives you a little more time to read the result.

 

[Sean Clark]

I find the red sea pro about as accurate as the hanna, in fact based on todays ICP it is probably closer - but that's probably a lucky reagent Lucky reagent applies to both.

It's the 15 mins that's a pain, but at least it gives you a little more time to read the result.

The time doesn't bother me. I do the phosphate first then Nitrate while I wait. Then ca and mg with no waiting. Check the nitrate. Check the phosphate. All done in 15ish min.
More like 20 min

 

[Drendo]

Not sure if it’s your issue but I know that if you have micro bubbles in the vial or if the outside of the vial is not sparkling clean ie water spots or Fingerprints it can give issues

What is a magnetic stirrer? Could you provide a link to the right size? Sounds interesting.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

my problem with the hanna is forgetting the countdown and coming back 10 mins later to find out I timed out. Why they didn't have press to wake with the last measurement is beyond me

That 3 minute display before timeout is the pits. I usually do the nitrate first then the phosphate so that they both end @ the same time.

 

[Karen00]

age sucks!.. I have a nyos nitrate test kit.. The range is not ideal to start but.. me 53 ish.. wife 52 ish .. son .. 26, daughter 21 .. all look at it subjectivly and come to a different color conclusion.

If it makes you feel better that might not be an age thing, just an eye thing and how people see colour (shades, tints, etc) differently. Or... It could be age. I like to think the former.

 

[REEFUNLIMITED.]

I got the Hanna ULR Phosphate test kit awhile back ,and every time I test it gives me an error or an insanely high number. I just tested 3 times and the tests came out to be .25, .54, and .45. I gave up on the test awhile ago, and I just bring a sample of my water for my LFS to test. It always comes back at 0 or I have a little bit of phosphate. My LFS uses the same phosphate checker, but results are completely different. I’ve gone through 2 things of reagent with mine and still get inconsistent results. Could I have gotten a faulty checker? I’m wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem with their Phosphate ULR? I thought these were supposed to be the best!

I have a cuvette that is scratched that sometimes gives me funky readings...maybe check that out? If cuvette(vial for hanna phosphate checker) is completely clean and done per instructions, its usually turns out to be, in my opinion, more accurate than the red sea pro nutrients tests.... I made a video to quickly outline the most efficient way in my experience to use the Hanna Phosphate ULR checkers.

-Hope this can help make your readings come out more accurate... Happy Reefing!

 

[Coolcasino]

I use a 10 mL syringe to make sure that I'm putting 10 mls of my tank water in the vial. None of my vials have 10 mL at the stated line. They are all short.

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I had two that I purchased that would not kick in to do the 3 minute countdown. My current one works OK. Send it back. I think they need improvement on the design.

 

[EricR]

I had two that I purchased that would not kick in to do the 3 minute countdown. My current one works OK. Send it back. I think they need improvement on the design.

Old thread but agreed.
My first Hanna Phosphate ULR was defective -- always read 0.00

My current seems to work (within stated accuracy):
My Hanna reads 0.02 vs LFS Milwaukee reading 0.04 (on same water sample)

Aside -- Hanna Support is awesome and sent me new reagent batch (free) when that was suspected as possible issue.

P.S. PM me if you want a defective Hanna Phosphate ULR kit for the case and vials,,, or just have a hankerin' to break open the defective unit and see what's going on inside .... DOH!

 

[Cool tangs]

Sounds like a faulty hanna.

I rate the hanna checkers they give consistent readings. I personally use both test tubes I put the reagent in one so if I think there's a discrepancy I can restest, normally the margin is within the specified range.

I do find the hanna does give higher readings then the manual test kits, such as salifert but I trust the hanna more and honestly having better results since basing things off the hanna vs salifert

 

[Cool tangs]

I found out a while back I was testing it wrong. I didn't really read the instructions and after putting the powder in and shaking for 2 mins. I didn't press and hold the button until the timer showed up.

I found out that if you just hit the button and it does the color check right away, I got inconsistent results.

What soymilk said +1

Do the tests as per instructions

 

[ggNoRe]

Mine worked well for 6 months then went wacky. When I emailed Hanna they replied with a generic are you sure your testing right email. Fast forward to now and I had 2 ICP tests done showing considerably different readings. I emailed Hanna to tell them that and they said I'm out of the 1 yr warranty so basically too bad. I explained to them I told them it wasn't working well with in the warranty period but they didn't care.

Now I don't know what to do. I'm stuck with a faulty tester and Id hate to give a company that doesn't seem to care more money to buy a new one. Also I don't see any other hobby grade phosphate kits on the market that seem accurate.

So yes, I agree. Hanna SUCKS