Hanna phosphorous checker

[bubbaque]

I can never get consistent results with this checker. I did a test this morning and got a reading of 18ppb and I always do another because I don't trust this meter, the second time I got a 0ppb.

I follow the instructions to a "T". I never touch the glass, whip it with a lint free towel and even put it back in the checker facing the same way. I have noticed that if I shake the meter gently as per the instructions for the two minutes it gives me a higher reading. I feel the higher reading is due to micro bubbles. I usually invert the meter quickly and swirl the meter to try and not introduce to many micro bubbles. All the reagent looks dissolved doing this method.

Any tips or another po4 that has consistent results?

 

[GoVols]

I can never get consistent results with this checker. I did a test this morning and got a reading of 18ppb and I always do another because I don't trust this meter, the second time I got a 0ppb.

I follow the instructions to a "T". I never touch the glass, whip it with a lint free towel and even put it back in the checker facing the same way. I have noticed that if I shake the meter gently as per the instructions for the two minutes it gives me a higher reading. I feel the higher reading is due to micro bubbles. I usually invert the meter quickly and swirl the meter to try and not introduce to many micro bubbles. All the reagent looks dissolved doing this method.

Any tips or another po4 that has consistent results?

Just curious, Do you have the Hanna Phos checker or the Hanna "Ultra Low" Phos checker?
The Ultra low as the letters ULR printed on the front.

 

[smh254]

You should just invert 5 or 6 times. Do not shake.

 

[smh254]

I'm wrong thinking of ALK tester

 

[fragit]

Your inverting the meter with the vial in it? I thought you were supposed to add the powder to the vial, and shake the vial only for 2 minutes. Then place back in the meter and hold the button, it should then activate the 3 min timer on the meter. Then it calculates your phosphorus levels, then you convert to phosphate.

 

[bubbaque]

I have the phosphorus ULR. I don't shake the meter, only the vial. When I shake it gently I get a higher reading. Inverting it quickly and swirling it for the full two minutes is what I usually do. Either way the results are not consistent.

 

[bubbaque]

Your inverting the meter with the vial in it? I thought you were supposed to add the powder to the vial, and shake the vial only for 2 minutes. Then place back in the meter and hold the button, it should then activate the 3 min timer on the meter. Then it calculates your phosphorus levels, then you convert to phosphate.

I do exactly this. I even use the lint free cloth to take the vial out of the meter after you press the button the first time and never touch the vial.

 

[GoVols]

I have the phosphorus ULR. I don't shake the meter, only the vial. When I shake it gently I get a higher reading. Inverting it quickly and swirling it for the full two minutes is what I usually do. Either way the results are not consistent.

I just ordered one this morning just before you posted over here.

All the input I got(And it was alot), was to get "phosphorous checker" over the "phosphate checker". All inputs said your "phosphorous checker" is more accurate.

Found a formula on converting the ULR ppb to nitrate ppm.

 

[fragit]

I do exactly this. I even use the lint free cloth to take the vial out of the meter after you press the button the first time and never touch the vial.

I use both vials for every test, one is my control the other gets the reagent added. One thing I have found to be problematic is getting all of the powdered reagent into the vial. Are you sure your being accurate with getting the reagent into the vial? You also need to keep those things squeaky clean. I rinse mine out with RO/DI after every use. If you see any residue on the inside of the vial it will impair accuracy.

 

[bubbaque]

I use both vials for every test, one is my control the other gets the reagent added. One thing I have found to be problematic is getting all of the powdered reagent into the vial. Are you sure your being accurate with getting the reagent into the vial? You also need to keep those things squeaky clean. I rinse mine out with RO/DI after every use. If you see any residue on the inside of the vial it will impair accuracy.

Thanks, maybe my issue is rinsing the vials out with tap water and putting them back in the case. I went and checked and there seems to maybe be residue on the inside of the vial. I cleaned the inside of them today and rinsed them good and filled them with RODI water and put them back in the cage. I will see if if that helps.

 

[GoVols]

Thanks, maybe my issue is rinsing the vials out with tap water and putting them back in the case. I went and checked and there seems to maybe be residue on the inside of the vial. I cleaned the inside of them today and rinsed them good and filled them with RODI water and put them back in the cage. I will see if if that helps.

bubbaque,
Please let us know

 

[skim]

I don't know myself. I am about ready to give up on the Phosphorus checker. I will get readings anywhere from 47 to 96 and if I used the right math it translates to .144 and .294. Now if I bring out my Salifert Phos test it says 0 and I know the Salifert should pick up those numbers no problem, if fact I have used 2 different Salifert kits. So the bad part is I have been plowing the phosphate remover and noticed today some of my SPS frags have started to get tissue loss. So that is my beef with the Hanna unit.

 

[GoVols]

I don't know myself. I am about ready to give up on the Phosphorus checker. I will get readings anywhere from 47 to 96 and if I used the right math it translates to .144 and .294. Now if I bring out my Salifert Phos test it says 0 and I know the Salifert should pick up those numbers no problem, if fact I have used 2 different Salifert kits. So the bad part is I have been plowing the phosphate remover and noticed today some of my SPS frags have started to get tissue loss. So that is my beef with the Hanna unit.

Using the formula I found today: Your math is perfect!

 

[Waterjockey]

Thanks, maybe my issue is rinsing the vials out with tap water and putting them back in the case. I went and checked and there seems to maybe be residue on the inside of the vial. I cleaned the inside of them today and rinsed them good and filled them with RODI water and put them back in the cage. I will see if if that helps.

I've given up drying them. I keep all my test vials/cruvettes wet all the time in a small Tupper ware container filled with rodi water. After testing, they get rinsed out with tap water, then submurged in rodi till the next test. I change the rodi water weekly else it gets a little slimy. It's eliminated any residue/spots inside the glassware.

 

[GoVols]

I've given up drying them. I keep all my test vials/cruvettes wet all the time in a small Tupper ware container filled with rodi water. After testing, they get rinsed out with tap water, then submurged in rodi till the next test. I change the rodi water weekly else it gets a little slimy. It's eliminated any residue/spots inside the glassware.

Gotta remember this.
Have you found the ULR checker to be accurate and consistent with what your doing now?

 

[Waterjockey]

Gotta remember this.
Have you found the ULR checker to be accurate and consistent with what your doing now?

I don't have the ULR checker. Just the regular marine phosphate and alkalinity checkers. I have pretty consistant results...I can do repeat tests and get numbers very close to each other.

 

[Marquiseo]

If you don't have one of these, you are cleaning it wrong:

 

[GoVols]

I don't have the ULR checker. Just the regular marine phosphate and alkalinity checkers. I have pretty consistant results...I can do repeat tests and get numbers very close to each other.

Good enough for me.
I'll be using your routine from the beginning

 

[JMLewis]

I rinse mine in tap water as well. But before I fill them to test I fill em both half way with tank water, put the cap on, and shake em for a few seconds and dump the water out, then refill the 10ml with tank water and never had an issue.

Don't worry so much about not touching em just wipe em off real quick before you put em in the meter.

 

[fragit]

Here is a link to a conversion table for the ULR phosphorus checker.
http://www.pny.se/aquarium/

I would like to suggest that if anybody has residue on the inside of the vial to soak it with distilled white vinegar and rodi water. With any test rinse the vial/s prior to use with a little tank water as JMLewis described. After use rinse with tap water and then rodi water. I even do this cleaning with syringes after every use and then shake out any extra moisture. I always try and position any syringe in a manner that will promote evaporation. Keep lids on vials so that they stay moist inside.