Hannah checker, worth it?

[twilliard]

Correct, I've told people many times they need the much smaller 0.5ml syringe for this test.

Thank you!
That is the biggest key to this checker.
Absolute .1 no more no less
Almost like we are testing DNA

Love this!

 

[Damon]

Sometimes these things happen and fwiw I use nothing but my Hanna Cal checker to maintain the calcium in my tank. (Although I do have a Redsea pro to back it up)
I also think there's at least some merit to what Twillard is saying. I mean nothing negative by this at all, but I don't think it's a coincidence that the harder of the 3 most common Hanna checkers is the one people have problems with.
Have you ever tried the red sea potassium test? I've read lots of good and bad reviews on that one as well, but the overwhelming majority of people that write bad things about it also say it's a pita and can't get consistent results. It's a hard test to be consistent on.

Actually, yes, I have the red sea potassium and use it all the time (at least once a month now). Further reinforces, that, I, and most are well used to taking tests, and playing around with them..

And yes, indeed, they do happen.. No doubt.. But the test kit is still flawed. If the 0.5 ml Syringe was the cure(which it was not, and i wasted my time and money on, on top of delivery from Amazon.. Thanks, again.. ) , then that is on Hanna to include it in the kit..

 

[twilliard]

Actually, yes, I have the red sea potassium and use it all the time (at least once a month now). Further reinforces, that, I, and most are well used to taking tests, and playing around with them..

And yes, indeed, they do happen.. No doubt.. But the test kit is still flawed. If the 0.5 ml Syringe was the cure(which it was not, and i wasted my time and money on, on top of delivery from Amazon.. Thanks, again.. ) , then that is on Hanna to include it in the kit..

I sense there is frustration.
How can I help you to over come this?
I am here to help all members.
The calcium kit is not flawed.
Is it the calcium kit where it is frustrating?
Trying to help
Todd

 

[Damon]

I am not here to be bashed on.
I am 40 and have been involved with chemistry since I was 10.
I have watched the community of R2R answer this thread. There was no need for me to post "another" how to for Hannas testers.
I support all we are about here at R2R

And neither am I, like no one else.. So basically, you wanted to take the time to throw out "you did it wrong" over and over again, but in that same sentence it was redundant and you difficult to say "get a 5ml Syringe" over and over. Take time for one and not the other? I would have taken less than a second (Lol, you will take that time to say what's wrong, why not take that time to actually help)?

And i am 41,been involved with chemistry since I was 8,tanks since I was 6,saltwater since I was 17,rc helicopters since 19(glow and electric), models since I was 4,hydroponics since I was 19(formulating my own nutrient solutions and designing my own systems, so I've dealt with Hanna for a very long time on a multitude of levels), testing and modifying model fuel formulations since i was 25(yes, for a company), modifying 2 stroke engines since I was 18(1/8 scale on road engines), beta testing video hardware for 10 years(electronics that i have played with since I was about 7),beta testing for Adobe for ten years.. And I still play around with micro computers and taught myself programming.. Everyone has a hobby, skill, passion..

Your not the only one with some "history" of testing.. And I have been on forums and teams for well over 15 years assisting others.. It is not about that, it's about helping..

The one thing i will say that i notice and have noticed among hobbyists, and its a common theme, that just because you know something, that makes a person think they are better than someone..

Don't take it as a bashing, take it for what it is.. If it were that simple, so what if you or i said it a million times?! At least that's my outlook.. I'm helping someone, possibly help someone in the future.. Lol, dude, you just didn't help..

 

[jasonandsarah]

Thank you!
That is the biggest key to this checker.
Absolute .1 no more no less
Almost like we are testing DNA

I know it's consistent for me! I'm not making how to videos or anything but I know mine works and has for quite some time. It's not that easy of a test, I mean it's not super hard but they're are a lot more steps then,wipe the vial, pour the powder and shake.
The regents can get expensive if you test often. So if people think it doesn't work there's plenty of other great kits out there.

 

[twilliard]

And neither am I, like no one else.. So basically, you wanted to take the time to throw out "you did it wrong" over and over again, but in that same sentence it was redundant and you difficult to say "get a 5ml Syringe" over and over. Take time for one and not the other? I would have taken less than a second (Lol, you will take that time to say what's wrong, why not take that time to actually help)?

And i am 41,been involved with chemistry since I was 8,tanks since I was 6,saltwater since I was 17,rc helicopters since 19(glow and electric), models since I was 4,hydroponics since I was 19(formulating my own nutrient solutions and designing my own systems, so I've dealt with Hanna for a very long time on a multitude of levels), testing and modifying model fuel formulations since i was 25(yes, for a company), modifying 2 stroke engines since I was 18(1/8 scale on road engines), beta testing video hardware for 10 years(electronics that i have played with since I was about 7),beta testing for Adobe for ten years.. And I still play around with micro computers and taught myself programming.. Everyone has a hobby, skill, passion..

Your not the only one with some "history" of testing.. And I have been on forums and teams for well over 15 years assisting others.. It is not about that, it's about helping..

The one thing i will say that i notice and have noticed among hobbyists, and its a common theme, that just because you know something, that makes a person think they are better than someone..

Don't take it as a bashing, take it for what it is.. If it were that simple, so what if you or i said it a million times?! At least that's my outlook.. I'm helping someone, possibly help someone in the future.. Lol, dude, you just didn't help..

Hey don't take a bad night out on me
I have done all that also.. well except for the hydroponic stuff
I have moved on from gas to lipo
But that isn't about this this thread now is it

 

[jasonandsarah]

I really couldn't do a comparison without a video. The Redsea requires drops and I just don't like making videos. I could do both tests at the same time right now but just don't think it'll prove anything?
I will say if you have any regents or anything else I could use for my calcium checker I'd be glad to take them off your hands ; ) I try to test often so as I said before it can get costly. Witch is definitely a downfall.
I know lots of people don't like this test, but imo there's just as many of us that love it. Maybe Hanna should of sent you a brand new checker... Idk? I don't doubt for a second someone could be causing these errors. Maybe there was a bad batch of calcium checkers? I know my first one crapped out quick!

 

[Damon]

I sense there is frustration.
How can I help you to over come this?
I am here to help all members.
The calcium kit is not flawed.
Is it the calcium kit where it is frustrating?
Trying to help
Todd

Lol, that time had passed(too late to help by a few months) .. I am not frustrated anymore with the kit. Actually, I never really was, it just didn't work.. And these things happen.. No big deal.. But it wasn't my error.. It wasn't the error or the majority of people that used the kit..

But, it is a matter of assisting others.. And "technically" if it is the resolution of the syringe (which I'm not saying it is), and a smaller syringe is the cure, then, "indeed" the test is flawed in its stock, or of the box nature.. Basically, Hanna isn't giving you the correct tools to perform their test.. Now, when you throw in the reagent issues, batch issues, revisions in the reagents etc, flawed endeavor as far as their production and quality control of this test..

I swear by my hanna equipment.. I do.. But this kit.. Not cool at all..

 

[jasonandsarah]

The one thing i will say that i notice and have noticed among hobbyists, and its a common theme, that just because you know something, that makes a person think they are better than someone..

I'm better then no one in this hobby and try to learn new things everyday. As I said I wish I could help but I just don't think I have the answers? Just like everything else in this hobby somethings work for some people and not for others. Your salifert (or witchever Cal kit you use) might be great for you but not me. That doesn't make it a terrible test kit. It just means I'm no good at doing the test?

 

[jasonandsarah]

Thank you!
That is the biggest key to this checker.
Absolute .1 no more no less
Almost like we are testing DNA

Love this!

 

[jasonandsarah]

Actually, yes, I have the red sea potassium and use it all the time (at least once a month now). Further reinforces, that, I, and most are well used to taking tests, and playing around with them..

And yes, indeed, they do happen.. No doubt.. But the test kit is still flawed. If the 0.5 ml Syringe was the cure(which it was not, and i wasted my time and money on, on top of delivery from Amazon.. Thanks, again.. ) , then that is on Hanna to include it in the kit..

I agree with everyhing except the test kit is flawed. Unless your speaking of just your kit? [emoji6]

 

[twilliard]

Classic !

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Hanna has always been very helpful to me whenever I even suspect I got a bad batch of regents. They even sent me a couple freebies when I bought my Cal checker and it stopped working on the first use.

I ordered the "color of water" checker only to find out that it is no good for aquarium water, only river/lake water. This was after they sent me a 50mL syringe and disk filters. Once they found out what I was trying to do with it, and told me it's not for that, they exchanged me the meter I had purchased for reagents of equal value. They're great to work with

I mean nothing negative by this at all, but I don't think it's a coincidence that the harder of the 3 most common Hanna checkers is the one people have problems with.

Which is why I have never used the Hanna Cal checker. Salifert is really easy, accurate, and not overly expensive. Besides, why do you need hyper-accuracy for Cal anyways? Keep it between 400 and 450 and you're good. 420-430, even better. But it doesn't make so much of a difference that you have to keep it within a 5ppm range so why bother with the difficult kit? Am I wrong?

Have you ever tried the red sea potassium test? I've read lots of good and bad reviews on that one as well, but the overwhelming majority of people that write bad things about it also say it's a pita and can't get consistent results. It's a hard test to be consistent on.

Potassium is one of the hardest things to test for, and one person told me that basically all hobby grade kits are worthless. They may be able to tell you the differential between 2 samples (like how much the drop was over a period of time by subtracting one reading from the other) but difficult to really know where your starting point is. I liked Salifert but they discontinued it, supposedly there is a 2nd version available in the UK but not here yet.

 

[Turbo's Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

Sorry I had to

 

[jasonandsarah]

I ordered the "color of water" checker only to find out that it is no good for aquarium water, only river/lake water. This was after they sent me a 50mL syringe and disk filters. Once they found out what I was trying to do with it, and told me it's not for that, they exchanged me the meter I had purchased for reagents of equal value. They're great to work with

Which is why I have never used the Hanna Cal checker. Salifert is really easy, accurate, and not overly expensive. Besides, why do you need hyper-accuracy for Cal anyways? Keep it between 400 and 450 and you're good. 420-430, even better. But it doesn't make so much of a difference that you have to keep it within a 5ppm range so why bother with the difficult kit? Am I wrong?

Yes they are great to work with. Also I do agree that you don't NEED to be super accurate with Cal and the Hanna probably isn't needed in most applications. But I'm a freak of nature and like knowing what my tanks at as consistent as I can humanly get (without spending hundreds a month)... Plus I just like the kit and it's a test I already own[emoji4]

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Loving the reef2reef swag. I use po4 low and ul did not get the chance to use ul yet but I love the po4 did not love it at first but that was human error on my part.

 

[jasonandsarah]

Loving the reef2reef swag. I use po4 low and ul did not get the chance to use ul yet but I love the po4 did not love it at first but that was human error on my part.

Love the pin..... Hate the hat! Lol Go Red Sox! [emoji12]

 

[Merck]

I use the ultra low phosphate One,
It's nice and has a low battery indicator.

 

[helldiver]

The ALK test is the best I have seen ever on the market.I wish hanna would come up with a Salinity checker.I have seen a lot of people have errors doing this.In my opinion Salinity and Alk need to be most accurate when checking your water parameters then Calcium
I use all three to test my parameters but like stated above the Calcium checker has the most room for user error and sometimes gives false readings due to micro-bubbles or the vial not being totally clean are dry to get the reading.Redundancy is a key element in this hobby and stability so that being said it is always good to have another test kit on hand like elos or red sea to check the readings you are getting from the Hanna checker to see if there is a user error or a malfunction in the Hanna checker's.checker's. That being said such as battery getting low will sometimes give inaccurate readings or the the photo cell getting dirty form putting vials in it.
My solutions to the problem is to test with Hanna weekly and monitor and on a monthly basis.I test with most Red Sea and Hanna to compare my readings.I Support all we are about on R2R and other forums.My opinion is based upon my experience only and what I have done to correct the problem and share with other reefers that may be having the same problem.
My solution
One on the main problem I see with Hanna CA is you add reagent A first and then fill to line with 10 ml of water, the second problem I see is you have to use that stupid tip that always falls of to get accurate reading then you have to use those stupid little packets u never know if you get all the reagent in it.I wish they would do like red Sea and give you a powder form in a vial with a measuring device so you can put the correct amount in every time,Give you a bigger syringe and get rid of those stupid tips and maybe even color code the tips to make them full proof also may be give you a lint free cloth and tell everyone to clean the vial before putting in the checker.
These are my opinions only and what i have done to correct the errors I am having hope this helps people.
Hanna Checker's are worth it but it always a good idea to have a back up test kit

 

[neupane00]

love hanna alk and phosphate. Hate calcium checker lol.. I wish they came out with nitrate and potassium checker