Magentic Stirrer for Hanna Checker

Plandauesq · Dec 3, 2020

Hi All,

I just purchased an AutoAqua Smart Stir that I plan to use for my Hanna checker vials. Do I need to remove the magnet before placing the vial in the checker? Will the magnet affect the test at all?

paul01609 · Dec 3, 2020

I would of thought you would have to remove it so it can read it through the bottom

Dan_P · Dec 3, 2020

Plandauesq said:
Hi All,

I just purchased an AutoAqua Smart Stir that I plan to use for my Hanna checker vials. Do I need to remove the magnet before placing the vial in the checker? Will the magnet affect the test at all?

The magnetic stir bar will not interfere with the reading.

ingchr1 · Dec 3, 2020

Do you have the stirrer in hand or did you just order it?

Asking since I don't think the stir bar is going to fit or work in a Hanna vial.

Dan_P · Dec 3, 2020

ingchr1 said:
Do you have the stirrer in hand or did you just order it?

Asking since I don't think the stir bar is going to fit or work in a Hanna vial.

Tiny stir bars or stir fleas can fit

ingchr1 · Dec 3, 2020

Dan_P said:
Tiny stir bars or stir fleas can fit

I guess a stir bar does fit. I have the SR Aquaristik stirrer and the stir bar for it just barely fits.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 4, 2020

As Dan notes, you can buy almost any size stir bar. The make tiny sizes for tiny situations. I see one listed online that is only 2 mm long.

Plandauesq · Dec 5, 2020

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
As Dan notes, you can buy almost any size stir bar. The make tiny sizes for tiny situations. I see one listed online that is only 2 mm long.

Yes, it came with a tiny stir bar. Do you think it has any effect on the test reading?

Randy Holmes-Farley · Dec 6, 2020

Plandauesq said:
Yes, it came with a tiny stir bar. Do you think it has any effect on the test reading?

I've not seen the Hanna setup to know exactly how it works. If it in any way changes with pathlength of the light beam through the liquid, yes it will have an effect. If it is not physically blocking the light path and does not change the path length in other ways, then it will be fine.

rwb500 · Dec 6, 2020

Consider a vortex mixer instead of a magnetic stirrer:

Vortex-Genie 2 - Scientific Industries, Inc.

Rugged and reliable, the ORIGINAL Vortex-Genie 2 is our most popular vortex mixer. Variable speed control allows high speed shaking or vortexing with tough metal housing. Supplied with 3 inch Platform (shown) and Pop-Off Cup.

www.scientificindustries.com

infinite0180 · Dec 6, 2020

It should be fine to leave it inside. The “eyes” on the Hanna checkers are about 3/4 the way up from the bottom...

ingchr1 · Dec 6, 2020

rwb500 said:
Consider a vortex mixer instead of a magnetic stirrer:

Vortex-Genie 2 - Scientific Industries, Inc.

Rugged and reliable, the ORIGINAL Vortex-Genie 2 is our most popular vortex mixer. Variable speed control allows high speed shaking or vortexing with tough metal housing. Supplied with 3 inch Platform (shown) and Pop-Off Cup.

www.scientificindustries.com

While I'm sure it's nice, it's over 10x the price of the magnetic stirrers mentioned in this thread.

rwb500 · Dec 6, 2020

ingchr1 said:
While I'm sure it's nice, it's over 10x the price of the magnetic stirrers mentioned in this thread.

I didn't mean to suggest that it be purchased from the manufacturers website. Used ones are ~$30 on ebay.

H118339 VWR Scientific Model G-560 Vortex Genie 2 Mixer for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for H118339 VWR Scientific Model G-560 Vortex Genie 2 Mixer at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

This is the tool widely used in laboratories to mix small vials.

Spieg · Dec 6, 2020

Have not seen every Hanna Checker on the market, but all that I have seen read sample through the side of the vial, so the stir pill on the bottom should not affect the reading.

Tori · Jul 18, 2021

Did you end up trying either method for mixing liquids in the Hanna vials? I'm curious what the results were.

Malcontent · Jul 18, 2021

I bought a Heathrow Scientific vortex mixer new for $74 last November.

Tori · Jul 18, 2021

I just ordered something similar off Amazon. How has it worked out for you?

Malcontent · Jul 18, 2021

Tori said:
I just ordered something similar off Amazon. How has it worked out for you?

I've been happy with it so far.

Malcontent · Jul 31, 2021

Tori said:
I just ordered something similar off Amazon. How has it worked out for you?

Yesterday, it seemed to suddenly stop working as well. I popped the rubber piece off and it looked like a little "foot" that inserted into the rubber piece became disengaged. I put it back the way it seemed like it should go and it was working again.

Tori · Aug 1, 2021

Malcontent said:
Yesterday, it seemed to suddenly stop working as well. I popped the rubber piece off and it looked like a little "foot" that inserted into the rubber piece became disengaged. I put it back the way it seemed like it should go and it was working again.

Good to know, thanks! The one I got was only $56 on Amazon so probably not long until I need to utilize that info