Hannah checker, worth it?

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

I use Hanna Alk, Ulr phosphorus and Cal. I find Hanna checkers to be the fastest and most accurate testers I've used(even the Cal)... One thing that helped with the Cal test is after contacting Hanna they sent me a 0.5ml syringe and a bottle of there deionized water. The smaller syringe helps to get that crappy 0.1ml of tank water and the deionized water just keeps things consistent imo.
Now I want to go test! Lol does Hanna have a marine potassium test? I don't remember them having one.

twilliard · Jul 24, 2015

The calcium checker can be tedious but is spot on if used like your in a lab. Exact measurements

Tahoe61 · Jul 24, 2015

scooter24 said:
Why do most only use Hannah for alk and phosphate? Is it easier than other testing?

Because yes those are the easiest, with consistent values when used correctly. All test are extremely prone to user error, the more steps in the testing process, the more reagents used, and the user error rate goes up. The hanna calcium test is just as troublesome as the color test with regard to procedure.

I test alk far more than any other test, therefore I want the test type to be easy and accurate, IMO hanna is.

reefndude · Jul 24, 2015

I use hanna for alk, and use phosphorus test kit. Totally worth it

wangspeed · Jul 24, 2015

Alk is the best. I also use the Ca, but I had to get them to send me a smaller syringe. Part of the process is that need to take a .1ml sample of tank water!

After I got used to that, the test has been very accurate.

twilliard · Jul 24, 2015

Ya isn't that crazy it only takes .1 of tank water. That blew me away!

Are you using this tip?
a must have for the calcium test!

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

twilliard said:
Ya isn't that crazy it only takes .1 of tank water. That blew me away!

Are you using this tip?
a must have for the calcium test!

I was but it doesn't fit on this smaller syringe.

twilliard · Jul 24, 2015

Oh wow that is a small one!
the 1 Ml works perfect with the dripper tip

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

twilliard said:
Oh wow that is a small one!
the 1 Ml works perfect with the dripper tip

I like the dripper tip on the Alk kit better.

scooter24 · Jul 24, 2015

See when I comes to alk I wasn't thinking about getting a hanna for that since I thought it was easy enough to just count the drops u put in the 5ml sample of water. Would it be more accurate with a hanna. Also what is everything actually monitoring. Just basic levels, nitrite (nitrate), ph, kh, ammonia. Also do u guys pay any attention to magnesium and other trace elements? Like I said I'm new to monitoring levels and trust trying to do thjngs right.

jasonandsarah · Jul 24, 2015

scooter24 said:
See when I comes to alk I wasn't thinking about getting a hanna for that since I thought it was easy enough to just count the drops u put in the 5ml sample of water. Would it be more accurate with a hanna. Also what is everything actually monitoring. Just basic levels, nitrite (nitrate), ph, kh, ammonia. Also do u guys pay any attention to magnesium and other trace elements? Like I said I'm new to monitoring levels and trust trying to do thjngs right.

Most important, Alk, Cal, Mag, Po4 and No3.
You don't need to test for ammonia or nitrites once your tank is cycled.

deerhunter06 · Jul 24, 2015

scooter24 said:
Why do most only use Hannah for alk and phosphate? Is it easier than other testing?

Calc is often not accurate from what I hear. the other two are.

twilliard · Jul 24, 2015

It is accurate if used accurately

deerhunter06 · Jul 24, 2015

twilliard said:
It is accurate if used accurately

never used it just going by reviews and it has a lot of bad ones. where alk and phosphates do not. logic would suggest somethings wrong. that's enough for me to stay away from it.

Opus · Jul 24, 2015

scooter24 said:
Why do most only use Hannah for alk and phosphate? Is it easier than other testing?

Not really easier just more accurate. I personally only test phosphate every month or so but still use my hanna checker. For alk I mainly use my API test kit because it is so easy. Every couple of weeks I use the Hannah alk tester just to confirm what I'm seeing with my API kit. Since the Hannah checker is also more precise it is good to use when setting up your dosing system.

Time wise the API is so fast that is why I use it. I can test my alk in 10 seconds with it. The Hannah you have to put the water in the vial, let the Hannah checker read the vial with just water in it, then put the chemicals in it and then let it test the water. Then you have to take the readout and then multiply it by a certain number to get the dKh.

twilliard · Jul 24, 2015

Well this is where people shy away from a product.
sure there are hundreds of negative reviews on hanna testers.
but if a person were to logically sift through them all there is one thing in common.

User error
Not understanding HOW these take readings.
I will state again, exact measurements , absolutely clean glass, no air bubbles, no floating garbage
these are accurate, just not understood

deerhunter06 · Jul 24, 2015

Maybe you are right, seems like it could easily be messed up if not done correctly. maybe when my red sea runs out I'll give it a shot. I do like my alk and phos tests.

deerhunter06 · Jul 24, 2015

twilliard said:
Well this is where people shy away from a product.
sure there are hundreds of negative reviews on hanna testers.
but if a person were to logically sift through them all there is one thing in common.

User error
Not understanding HOW these take readings.
I will state again, exact measurements , absolutely clean glass, no air bubbles, no floating garbage
these are accurate, just not understood

one question though...alk and phos Hanna checkers require the same thing why do they get so much more praise than the calc??? not being smart alec just curious. you have to be just as careful with those two....