Is it just me??? (Hanna phosphate checker)

Kyl · Jul 13, 2018

Hanna Instruments said:
The time out between C1 and C2 should be 3 minutes, coupled with 2 minutes of shaking, this leaves the user with 1 minute to pour the powder reagent into the cuvette. It is recommended to have the powder sachet open and ready to pour prior to starting the test.

Can you re-affirm that using a single cuvette for both portions of the test is the correct method? I was told not to use both as glass variances between cuvettes can impact the test.

Super Fly · Jul 13, 2018

good info! I just bought Hanna checkers and this will help.

Hanna Instruments · Jul 13, 2018

Kyl said:
Can you re-affirm that using a single cuvette for both portions of the test is the correct method? I was told not to use both as glass variances between cuvettes can impact the test.

Yes this is correct.

Also Place Cuvettes in the Same Position Every Time
Why: When using a Checker, it's important that the length of the optical path is always the same to ensure consistent and accurate readings every time.

http://blog.hannainst.com/checker-best-practices

lapin · Jul 13, 2018

Kyl said:
Can you re-affirm that using a single cuvette for both portions of the test is the correct method? I was told not to use both as glass variances between cuvettes can impact the test.

Yes only use 1. Variances in the glass will make a difference in how the light is reflected while the unit is reading the sample and its reaction to the reactant.
Info on how to take a better measurement
https://www.fireflysci.com/news/2015/9/17/quartz-cuvette-tips-and-tricks

ZoWhat · Jul 13, 2018

Personally (plz dont attack me, its only my opinion)...

I think Hanna is way off when reading the "color" thru some "optical eye". I think people use the device bc its so easy. but easy doesnt reveal "true" results IMO.

My question to Hanna is: how many SHADES of color is your device reading? 5 shades, 10 shades, 50, 100?

EXAMPLE: I have a Salifert Alk drip test....and when my Salifert drips to exactly 9.ish dKH, my Hanna reads like 12.ish..... thats a 3dKH difference. Unacceptable...

I trust a drip test bc you see the color change on the exact micro-droplet. Hanna just reads the color in the vial via some "optical eye"

I'm waiting for the next fragswap to sell my Hanna for pennies on the dollar or for a fragplug of smtgh

.

Coral Passion · Jul 13, 2018

skimjim said:
Personally (plz dont attack me, its only my opinion)...

I think Hanna is way off when reading the "color" thru some "optical eye". I think people use the device bc its so easy. but easy doesnt reveal "true" results IMO.

My question to Hanna is: how many SHADES of color is your device reading? 5 shades, 10 shades, 50, 100?

EXAMPLE: I have a Salifert Alk drip test....and when my Salifert drips to exactly 9.ish dKH, my Hanna reads like 12.ish..... thats a 3dKH difference. Unacceptable...

I trust a drip test bc you see the color change on the exact micro-droplet. Hanna just reads the color in the vial via some "optical eye"

I'm waiting for the next fragswap to sell my Hanna for pennies on the dollar or for a fragplug of smtgh

.

The Phosphorus checker is very good at reading ultra low numbers. On my Red sea pro test its very hard to figure out the shades once you get lower than 0.1

IslandLifeReef · Jul 13, 2018

jgvergo said:
Phosphate ppm checker...

1. I turn it on
2. I add 10ml to the cuvette and press the button to zero it out
3. I (quickly) add the reagent
4. Shake gently for 2 minutes (carefully timed using a digital timer)
5. THE CHECKER TURNS ITSELF OFF BEFORE I CAN PUT THE CUVETTE IN AND PRESS THE BUTTON AGAIN

This is how I do my test.

First I fill the cuvette with 10 ml of water. Then I fold the reagent package from corner to corner so that the cut line is one straight line. I cut the packet open and tap all of the reagent to the bottom.

Then I clean the cuvette with a lint free cloth.

I turn on the checker and wait for it to say C1.

I then place the cuvette in the checker with the 10ml label facing the front. I press the button and wait for it to say C2. I then start a stopwatch, take the cuvette out of the checker and close the lid.

I add the reagent to the cuvette only touching the cuvette with my lint free cloth. I then gently turn the cuvette over for two minutes.

After that I put the cuvette back in the checker with the 10ml label facing forward and press the button until the 3:00 min timer shows up.

From the time the checker displays C2 until I have started the 3:00 min timer on the checker takes a little less then 2:30.

Hope this helps.

ViciousDlishus · Jul 22, 2018

This drives me crazy. I use my cellphone timer to track time to ensure I make the cut off. I still waste reagent like crazy...convient for Hanna.

I don't see why you can't turn the unit back on to see the last test result or why it can't keep the c1 baseline in the memory.

If it wasn't for convenience and continuity from test to test I don't think I would be using it.

Fishfinder · Jul 22, 2018

skimjim said:
Personally (plz dont attack me, its only my opinion)...

I think Hanna is way off when reading the "color" thru some "optical eye". I think people use the device bc its so easy. but easy doesnt reveal "true" results IMO.

My question to Hanna is: how many SHADES of color is your device reading? 5 shades, 10 shades, 50, 100?

EXAMPLE: I have a Salifert Alk drip test....and when my Salifert drips to exactly 9.ish dKH, my Hanna reads like 12.ish..... thats a 3dKH difference. Unacceptable...

I trust a drip test bc you see the color change on the exact micro-droplet. Hanna just reads the color in the vial via some "optical eye"

I'm waiting for the next fragswap to sell my Hanna for pennies on the dollar or for a fragplug of smtgh

.

Want to sell your alk checker?

User1 · Sep 26, 2018

Sort of raising an older thread from this summer but I don't really have the issues with the checker shutting off. I think the key here is in the process or prep. First two times yeah, timed out for sure. However, few searches, a video, and it was A. OK

Having said that my main complaint are that there are two models and good or bad I bought the 713. It works but I do not believe it is consistent or my process isn't consistent. Sunday it was reading .03 and today it is reading 0.00. In fact I didn't believe the numbers because I didn't do any water changes or anything and I a pretty immature tank with 150 lbs of Pukani. So I repeated the tests twice and both times again got 0.00. Got another vile and used it for a reference then quickly ran through the same tests again only to read 0.00.

I think it is + or - 0.04 right? So going to assume it is really somewhere in the 0.04 zone although Sunday it just read .03. Nice product but not sure I am 100% sold and do not want to spend another 50 on the other model. @Hanna Instruments - Trade In

ViciousDlishus · Sep 26, 2018

saf1 said:
Sort of raising an older thread from this summer but I don't really have the issues with the checker shutting off. I think the key here is in the process or prep. First two times yeah, timed out for sure. However, few searches, a video, and it was A. OK Having said that my main complaint are that there are two models and good or bad I bought the 713. It works but I do not believe it is consistent or my process isn't consistent. Sunday it was reading .03 and today it is reading 0.00. In fact I didn't believe the numbers because I didn't do any water changes or anything and I a pretty immature tank with 150 lbs of Pukani. So I repeated the tests twice and both times again got 0.00. Got another vile and used it for a reference then quickly ran through the same tests again only to read 0.00.

I think it is + or - 0.04 right? So going to assume it is really somewhere in the 0.04 zone although Sunday it just read .03. Nice product but not sure I am 100% sold and do not want to spend another 50 on the other model. @Hanna Instruments - Trade In

Continue to monitor and if you see corals getting pale with 0 reading I would dose phos. I maintained 0 for too long and there was an imbalance and backlog of phos needs and struggled with issues until corrected.

Fastpitch · Jun 16, 2022

ViciousDlishus said:
This drives me crazy. I use my cellphone timer to track time to ensure I make the cut off. I still waste reagent like crazy...convient for Hanna.

I don't see why you can't turn the unit back on to see the last test result or why it can't keep the c1 baseline in the memory.

If it wasn't for convenience and continuity from test to test I don't think I would be using it.

Not sure why Hanna doesn't make this simple change. Either extend the timer when results are displayed or cache the reading so you can pull it up after the unit shuts down. I cant count how much reagent I have wasted because I dont get to the reading on time. Super frustrating.