hannah checkers

lazycouch · Aug 16, 2020

if you were to buy any/ have some which would you go for and why?

i’m debating on purchasing both an alk one and calc one as i dive deeper into lps. i feel like these are the 2 important parameters to keep on check and i’m really getting tired of looking at colors as i don’t trust i am always doing the tests right or i just can’t read the color correctly but my other half says to chill out and i don’t need hannah checkers. i bought a calcium api test kit a bit ago (on a budget) but i’ve got a hold of some money now lol, i truly only trust api for cycle type of tests.

should i just buy all salifert test kits? buy a couple hannah checkers? you will be my convincing factor(s). thanks!

ps i was told to stay away from redsea

lazycouch · Aug 16, 2020

hmm.....
Red Sea Foundation Pro Test Kit Coral Reef Aquarium
Salifert Alkalinity Calcium Magnesium Combo Test Kit

fuelman · Aug 16, 2020

I'm very happy with both of those hanna checkers. i was using salifert & it works but i got tired of the color issue, it's nice to just get a number.

anth · Aug 16, 2020

Hanna for alk and phosphate
In my opinion this is the way to go
I also have the calcium one and never use it

K7BMG · Aug 16, 2020

Hanna all the way.
Just cant beat them.
I understand having to justify to the other half, but in the end you will wind up with the Hanna anyway. So why not just get them now.
Save the money on the other kits that will collect dust.

MaxxuM · Aug 16, 2020

Hanna Phosphate. Easy to use and pretty quick. Only real downside is the reagent packets. I end up spilling 1:5 on the table. They really need to devise a better method. Maybe like those pixie sticks but smaller.

abw75 · Aug 16, 2020

I am using Hanna for PO4 low range and for KH. Pity the new NO3 is too low range for me. For Ca a cheaper Nyos do the job for me. For reagent packets - just cut them on the dotted line and ply a bit the corner- no spilling.

windemerejack · Aug 16, 2020

Hanna for alk, Elos HR for phosphate, Salifert for everything else.
The Hanna calcium is a pita to use and requires dilution which just adds more steps so more chance of error.
In my opinion cal, mag, and nitrate only need a ballpark figure, so spot on accuracy isn't necessary for these params so no point on trying to get an exact figure.
Cal im happy between 400 and 450
Mag im happy between 1300 and 1400
Nitrates im happy between 10 and 20

Scorpius · Aug 16, 2020

I only use the ULR Phosphorus Checker. I've found all the other ones to be unreliable especially when they were having reagent recalls.

fish farmer · Aug 16, 2020

Salifert.

I bought a Hanna low range. $40 test kit with around 5 packets of reagent. I had to buy more pretty quick. The instructions that came with my kit are terrible. I had to learn how to use the kit properly on a video which I found on here. I burned through most of those first packets while figuring out the unit. The unit was timing out if you don't have the packet ready for mixing. It comes with two vials...instructions say use one....people on this forums have said use both. One tiny scratch on the vials will mess up the samples. I scratched one of my vials after about a dozen tests.

If you do need exact number then Hanna is the one for you. If you want easy, Salifert.

Darren in Tacoma · Aug 16, 2020

Best Calcium Test Kit of 2019: Six reef tank calcium tests ... TWO winners!

Learn More LaMotte Calcium Test Kit Lab quality components LaMotte produces lab grade test kits with high quality components such as the hardshell storage case, glass vials, and lab quality

www.bulkreefsupply.com

Watch these videos. This is the one for calcium, but you can watch the others also.

Ippyroy · Aug 16, 2020

I love my Hanna Checkers. I purchased 100 extra vials from them directly online, they are really cheap, even with shipping. I just purchased a single channel pipette that I can adjust between 9 and 10 ml quickly and easily. The money up front seems a little high, but they are cheaper in the long run. 9 bucks for most of them and only 20 for the Calcium. You no longer have to count drops or figure out the color change. No math needed at all.

HI731359 Round Glass Replacement Cuvettes for HI759 (25 pcs)

HI731359 is a replacement set of 25 round glass cuvettes with plastic inserts for the HI759 Maple Syrup Digital Grader.

www.hannainst.com

92Miata · Aug 16, 2020

ULR Phosphate.

The ULR phosphorus has a little bit higher resolution, but it's a pain to use because it times out so quick, and the difference in accuracy isn't enough to matter.

I've heard the alkalinity one is good.

And if the nitrate one ends up a reasonable range, I'll buy that. If it ends up the range BRS is using in their fake adverts, I won't.

emjayreloaded · Aug 16, 2020

At the moment I am using Alk and Phosporus ULR.

If the Nitrate is in my range I will get that one too. I am terrible at those pink colors

schuby · Aug 16, 2020

I use these and recommend them:

Hanna Marine Alkalinity checker (HI772)
- At least twice a week
- Very quick
Hanna Marine Phosphate ULR checker (HI774)
- Units are ppm
- At least once a week
Hanna Marine Calcium checker (HI758)
- Use distilled water (RO/DI = inaccurate)
- At least twice a month
- I dose B-ionic two-part equally so I've found that Ca stays good if Alk is good

I've only had a timeout issue with the phosphate when I got a call from my Mom after starting the test. 30 minutes late, it was off!

The packets are not a problem. This is my technique:

Tap them to get contents away from dotted line (two sides)
Cut along dotted line (two sides are now open)
Open up the packet like a clam and tap to get contents into "bottom" of clam
Crease one side of "clam" shell, forming a guide/spout from about half-way down to the completely open corner of packet
1. Right up the middle
Pour the contents into the vial using the crease as a guide/spout
1. Several taps should get the contents out

Randy Holmes-Farley · Aug 16, 2020

I personally do not see a reason to use a Hannah checker for alkalinity. A DIY titration is much cheaper and likely more accurate (assuming you already have a pH meter).

The calcium checker is, IMO, a poor design that folks often have issues with, partly due to its freakish sensitivity to contaminating calcium in the blank.

lazycouch · Aug 16, 2020

thank you everyone. i will condense the replies and see what conclusion i come with!!;Bookworm

lazycouch · Aug 16, 2020

92Miata said:
ULR Phosphate.

The ULR phosphorus has a little bit higher resolution, but it's a pain to use because it times out so quick, and the difference in accuracy isn't enough to matter.

I've heard the alkalinity one is good.

And if the nitrate one ends up a reasonable range, I'll buy that. If it ends up the range BRS is using in their fake adverts, I won't.

what do you mean by times out quick? i went for the ULR phos and redsea foundation pro kit after watching some videos! what do you think?

92Miata · Aug 16, 2020

lazycouch said:
what do you mean by times out quick? i went for the ULR phos and redsea foundation pro kit after watching some videos! what do you think?

Between stage 2 and 3 of the test, you have to add the reagent, and then shake the vial for 2 minutes. The ULR phosphorus meter shuts off after 3 minutes if you don't have the vial back in and hit the button. The ULR Phosphate meter gives you 7 minutes.

If the meter shuts off, you need to collect a new sample and use another packet of reagent.