Hanna tester alternatives

[Reefer911]

Are there reliable NO3 and PO4 alternates to Hanna testers? Honestly I hate the process. The reagent packets, the 2 minutes of shaking. I appreciate the Salifert titration method, but obviously want accuracy. That said, I would rather go through the Hanna process than do a color comparison chart. Thats useless for me. So basically, is there a reliable titration tester alternate to Hanna?

 

[BitReef]

I bought the Autoaqua Smart Stir magnetic stirrer and it made the Hanna process much easier. No more shaking.

 

[Reefer911]

I bought the Autoaqua Smart Stir magnetic stirrer and it made the Hanna process much easier. No more shaking.

Hahaha I knew someone would suggest a magnetic stirrer. I have one that I use for brewing beer although its not the one you suggested. And actually I'm not sure how I could make mine work for this. Even still, that wouldn't make me love the process. I will look into that however.

 

[BitReef]

Hahaha I knew someone would suggest a magnetic stirrer. I have one that I use for brewing beer although its not the one you suggested. And actually I'm not sure how I could make mine work for this. Even still, that wouldn't make me love the process. I will look into that however.

Yeah, not quite what you were asking but I thought I throw it out. Btw, I use the same stirrer for my Salifert Ca and Mag titration tests and it makes those so much easier as well. At this point I can’t live without it!

 

[dstockwell]

Hahaha I knew someone would suggest a magnetic stirrer. I have one that I use for brewing beer.

So do I, pretty sure stir bar would throw that little test vial across the room.

 

[w8lifts]

I bought the Autoaqua Smart Stir magnetic stirrer and it made the Hanna process much easier. No more shaking.

I bought one as well hoping to save me the trouble…but when I use it, it doesn’t seem to stir enough and my readings change. I shake it manually I get .04-.09 ish 99.9% of the time like always. I use my new magnetic stir I get like .1 and above…what am I missing?

 

[Spare time]

Red sea pro test kits are good. Same with nyos nitrate but phosphate is nearly impossible impossible to tell in low range numbers on nearly all test kits. Red sea makes it slightly easier due to their neat design but I would never have a stony reef tank without the hanna. But honestly if you can't spare a few minutes to test you aren't going to enjoy using any test kit.

 

[Reefer911]

Red sea pro test kits are good. Same with nyos nitrate but phosphate is nearly impossible impossible to tell in low range numbers on nearly all test kits. Red sea makes it slightly easier due to their neat design but I would never have a stony reef tank without the hanna. But honestly if you can't spare a few minutes to test you aren't going to enjoy using any test kit.

I usually can’t spare a few minutes, and I enjoy Salifert

 

[Spare time]

I usually can’t spare a few minutes, and I enjoy Salifert

I just so happen to have Spare time so maybe that's why I enjoy them XD

 

[ekandler]

Honestly they’re the easiest, not sure why you’d prefer anything else. The Red Sea kits are what I used for nitrate before Hanna had theirs but the Hanna is so much easier.

I’ve never heard of anyone complaining of Hanna ULR phosphate or nitrate HR as being too difficult ha this is what we’ve gotten to after years of wanting easier test kits. Honestly the only thing easier would be those strips you dip in the water that are definitely not accurate.

 

[Reefer911]

Honestly they’re the easiest, not sure why you’d prefer anything else. The Red Sea kits are what I used for nitrate before Hanna had theirs but the Hanna is so much easier.

I’ve never heard of anyone complaining of Hanna ULR phosphate or nitrate HR as being too difficult ha this is what we’ve gotten to after years of wanting easier test kits. Honestly the only thing easier would be those strips you dip in the water that are definitely not accurate.

No one said they’re too difficult. Not sure which thread you’ve been on

 

[Joe31415]

this is what we’ve gotten to after years of wanting easier test kits.

And the whole process is even smooth when you figure out which tests to do in which order so you can run multiple tests at the same time while still being able to see the results after they finish but before they turn off (seriously, Hanna, why can't that number be saved until the next test).

I don't think anyone mentioned the Trident, and I won't either, however, I will mention the Mastertronic. It's expensive, yes, but it works. And it's not just that it works, it's that it works without your intervention. Put the tests you want on a schedule that works for you and you're done. It's nice to be sitting around watching TV and get a notification with a test result.
One of the downsides is that some of the tests do take an obscenely long time to run. Mostly between 10 and 45ish minutes. PITA if you're sitting there waiting for a result, but otherwise it doesn't really matter.

 

[ekandler]

Honestly I hate the process. The reagent packets, the 2 minutes of shaking.

No one said they’re too difficult. Not sure which thread you’ve been on

You’re the one saying you hate the process. The packets and 2 minutes of shaking is too difficult.

 

[workhz]

Sequencing helps. I nitrate, phosphate and alk all with the eggs but still hate the packets more so than the shaking.

wish they’d just sell you a container with the reagent.

 

[Reefer911]

You’re the one saying you hate the process. The packets and 2 minutes of shaking is too difficult.

Yeaahhh, I'm still not seeing it.

 

[BitReef]

Sequencing helps. I nitrate, phosphate and alk all with the eggs but still hate the packets more so than the shaking.

wish they’d just sell you a container with the reagent.

I do the same sequence. All three test end at basically the same time so there’s really no waiting.

My only complaint about my Hanna checkers is the ridiculously short timeout on the URL Phosphorous checker. I used to miss the reading all the time because I would get distracted. But, with the stirrer and this order, I never miss it any more

 

[workhz]

I do a PH test now too within that sequence. So 4 tests within 7-8 minutes once a week or 2 isn’t terrible.

 

[xabo]

I bought the Autoaqua Smart Stir magnetic stirrer and it made the Hanna process much easier. No more shaking.

Do you leave the little "spinner egg" in the test vail while using the Hanna?

 

[EricR]

I do the same sequence. All three test end at basically the same time so there’s really no waiting.

Same here.

Tangent but something I've always wondered.
What's the deal with:
Nitrate HR = shake "vigorously" for 2 minutes
Phosphate ULR = shake "gently" for 2 minutes

 

[BitReef]

Do you leave the little "spinner egg" in the test vail while using the Hanna?

You can, but I don’t. If I don’t take it out immediately after the stir completes, I forget about the pill and dump it in the sink when I empty the vial. I’ve had to fish it out of the garbage disposal a couple of times.