Hanna phosphorus 3 min timer issue... found a workaround.

[Krzydmnd]

Are you shaking the vials or swirling and upending them? If you shake them too vigorously what you might be seeing is micro bubbles, not undisolved reagent. Mine is typically dissolved in a minute to minute and a half.

 

[kris2001]

Are you shaking the vials or swirling and upending them? If you shake them too vigorously what you might be seeing is micro bubbles, not undisolved reagent. Mine is typically dissolved in a minute to minute and a half.

I shake hard for a min. Then swirl and up end to remove bubbles.....

Even when shaken hard shouldn't the built in 3 min count down take care of micro bubbles? Once set inside and pressed long for c2?

 

[Krzydmnd]

I contacted hanna about the timer and they indicated that's the time it takes for the chemical reaction to take place. To answer your question, I dunno lol! But once you do it a few times it gets easier. I more often forget to check it after three minutes before it turns off. [emoji849]

 

[lapin]

Helpful hint, Get yourself one of those screw on funnels the coke dealers use for loading the gram containers . I think they are called snuff funnels. Will save you a few seconds when trying to get the stuff out of the pouch and into the bottle.

 

[Crabs McJones]

All these years they have been out with step by step instructions, videos, and pictures some ppl still can’t use them correctly...wow

Not really helpful. It was my first time using the unit, never done it before. I've since figured it out. But thanks for your input.

 

[HM3105]

I've had mine time out. I don't know how much effect this has but I do the following.

1. Rinse both vials then fill to line with tank water. I overfill one so I can keep track of it.

2. Before putting into tester for C1, wash both vials with distilled water and dry with clean cloth.

3. Use appropriately filled vial, dump reagent into vial and shake per instructions (2 min I think)?

4. Use overfilled vial for C1. Once complete, swap vials and start timer.

 

[kecked]

Ok so I made up fresh saltwater and let it sit for 24 hour. I used a stock phosphate solution form Sigma Aldrich. I diluted it to 1 ppm with the saltwater. Basic dilution do the math. I then tested the Hanna by adding a packet and shaking for about 30 seconds after baseline zero. I added this and tested. Got 1.1ppm
I repeated this in the same test vial noting orientation and let the vial stand for 2min. Then I tested it. Result. 1.0ppm. I think the three min count not the two prior matter. I tried letting the solution stand five more minutes and used a second vial to zero. Result 1.2ppm. I’m leaving the last digit off on purpose. I repeated this letting it stand 10 min and the result was 1.5ppm. 1.1. Vs 1.5 isn’t too bad. I’ll repeat with a 0.1ppm solution. That will be more telling. I also took some sample and tested it in a spectrophotometer I calibrated by hand. Results were similar. Relax.....

 

[kecked]

I think I will try using a stable dye to measure the. Variability of the vials. Might not matter much unless it’s filthy or scratched. Looks like 625nm is about right. Have to find a good dye around that range.

Let you know.

 

[PopaSmurph]

We went over this in this form. lots of good info for the 2 cuvettes method.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/alternative-to-hanna-phosphorus-ulr.346387/page-2#post-4339049

But for those who don't want to read it. Hanna approved of this method as long as you gently mix for 2min and let the 3min timer count down so it reads the sample at the 5min mark. So when your stopwatch says 1:45 start your C1 and 2min should be ready when it says add C2 then switch. Hanna said the difference between the cuvettes won't affect the reading.

 

[Dr RBG]

When it says C2 mix the reagent for the stated time and put vile in the Colorimeter . Then push and hold the button and the 3 minute timer starts. At the end of 3 minute reaction time it takes the reading.....There is no timer between C1 and C2 for mixing. The three minute timer is only after you push the button the second time. Hope this is correct and helps

 

[Dr RBG]

Turn it on and when C1 shows on the LCD put the vile with test sample in and push the button, It calibrates itself and changes to C2. Mix the reagent for the stated time (2 min) and put the vile back in the device. Take all the time you need. Now push and hold the button and the 3 minute timer stars, and when it ends the measurement is made and is on the LCD If it times out when you are mixing the powder something is wrong with the device or your technique. Contact Hanna for help. Hope this works Let me know

 

[User1]

I'm using Hanna phosphorus HI736 ULR...
i found a way to not mix the reagent in a hurry to test it within that stupid 3 min or so time limit.

I use 2 of their glass tubes. I Miix reagent in one with sw. Shake it well for 4 min. Let sit.

I use another tube for the C1 test to calibrate(?)sw.... then i pour out sw and pour in the previous mixed reagent water. And press C2 Wait 3 min till timer goes away.

Then read the phosphorus no....

Is this method ok?

I think it should be since only the * same* one of the 2 tubes goes into the unit both the times(sw, reagent salt water) .

Btw today's test was P ppb 9=almost. 03ppm.

Thanks.....

Pls advice....

Is that is what is wrong with the model HL713? I have tested two times now and each time it reads 0's and I know that isn't true. It is a brand new tank cycling that is using BRS dry Pukani and that stuff is phosphate Meca. Granted I ran it through a couple days of bleach and later lanthuam chloride but I know it didn't get it to 0. Yet two tests now this kit reports 0's. I did some reading on BRS and they say it is not good for reefs and should be fresh water only...

 

[saltyhog]

I shake hard for a min. Then swirl and up end to remove bubbles.....

Even when shaken hard shouldn't the built in 3 min count down take care of micro bubbles? Once set inside and pressed long for c2?

There is no reason to have to shake the vial. I simply invert the tube back and forth for 2 minutes and it is always dissolved. Plus as Randy said the excess reagent will settle out in the 3 minute countdown, bubbles won't as they're bouyant.

I cut my packets before I do anything else.

Set a 5 minute timer on your watch or cell phone. Start the timer when you get the reagent in the cuvette and the lid on. Invert back and forth till the 3 minute 5 second mark of the timer (I pause at the 4 minute mark to make sure finger prints are wiped off the cuvette) and place the cuvette in the checker and hold the button down till the 3 minute countdown goes off. Go stare at your tank or do an alkalinity test. When the timer goes off it's time to check your results.

 

[rcpalmer1]

I got the Hanna because I wanted SIMPLE and accurate results. I prepare the reagent. I run C1 then I add my agent. I then invert the vile 100 times. It take about 2 minutes. I timed it in the beginning now I don't have to worry with getting a timer and it is shaken the same exact way every time for constancy.

 

[kecked]

What happens if you don’t hold the button down. I think it just takes a measurement so in theory you could just use your own countdown. It would be simple for Hanna to change this in firmware to something like a 7 min timeout. Then it would be an absolutely non issue. Zero unit. Press button when you add powder and five min count down starts. Confusion gone.

I’ve gotten to the point with alk. I don’t even really need to read it. For phosphate unless it’s distintly blue it’s probably fine. In fact I’ve recently learn via a Dino outbreak that I keep my fever too clean. I had to add new bacteria and let the garbage build up a little to out compete them.

It would be nice if the powder came in a vial with a little scooper.

 

[anit77]

Instead of making things more complicated I try to keep it simple. I do my PO4 test at the same time I do the NO3 test.

With the Red Sea NO3 Pro test I use my phones timer for the 9 minutes. With the packet for the Hanna prepared I start the RS test then go right to the Hanna. After C1 I look at the timer, add the packet and shake it good. Once it's well shaken I start slowly turning the vial up and down while watching the time after 1:50 has gone by on my phone I hold the button to start the Hanna timer. I continue to flip the vial slowly and look to see if there's any bubbles. Usually by 2 minutes left on the checker I've got the vial in place.

Doing it this way also helps me from setting the checker down and forgetting to look at the reading and inside 15 minutes I have both organics tests done.

 

[Dr RBG]

it is for both fresh and saltwater this from BRS

Hanna Instruments
PHOSPHATE LOW RANGE COLORIMETER HI713 HANNA CHECKER - FRESH & MARINE WATER

 

[kecked]

I tried using two vials vs one and found if my vials are clean they work fine. One for zero one for test. O issue. Used 0.1ppm cal solution. Did five runs. 0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.1,0.1. Last digit did float around. High 0.12 low 0.08 so I round. Or 0.10 +/- 0.02. 20% error. Good enough for fish tank.

Used zero tube while waiting two min after adding packet to second vial. At just about 1:30 I zero the unit. At two I switched vials and hit 3:00 timer.

 

[watdachuck]

Following up late to this one as I am having the same issue.

The instructions say you have an option the wait 3 mins on your own than push the button. It is going to turn off every time!

I feel like an idiot after wasting 2 reagent packets.

 

[kecked]

Try my zero vial full of tank water. Fill one up with water and the other with water and packet. At about two minutes into the count down put the water only vial in the unit and zero it. Then when you hit the time add the other vial and push the timer. Ie hold the button in. I ran this using a real photometer and the color is pretty stable for at least ten minutes so don’t panic if you have to rezero. Using the separate vial is not a big deal unless your vials all dirty and scratched. If so buy a new set. This test isn’t that sensitive. Relax.