New Hanna checker

brycenelson · Jan 21, 2023

Hey guys I just ordered a pack of Hanna checkers and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for best way to use them to make sure you get accurate results. Any tips are helpful

ZoWhat · Jan 21, 2023

Get a professional lens cleaning rags and keep the glass vial as clean as possible.

Also store the glass vial separately in a zip lock bag to avoid micro scratches on the glass

HANNA accurate results heavily dependent on clean, scratch free glass

Just John · Jan 21, 2023

Agree with the glass care. Never put any kind of brush in the vial (made that mistake) or it will scratch. Rub it too hard on something other than really soft fabric/tissues and it will scratch. Hold the tube at the top with your fingers on the 10ml level line and it eventually will rub off.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jan 21, 2023

I suggest to watch various youtube videoes for each tester, there are a lot of little things that can mess the test results, such as fingerprints or lint on the on the tube, , and even the test tube should face the same way when you test it. The calcium test requires distilled water for the test, not rodi, it does make a difference. All these little things make a difference to the results.

V A R I A N T · Jan 21, 2023

Things that I do that I believe help with accuracy:

1. Purchase a 10ml syringe for each test kit and use this to fill the cuvette consistently and accurately. Place scotch tape over the numbers printed on the syringe so they don't wear off.
2. When storing the cuvette, fill with RODI, prevents water marks inside the cuvette.
3. When switching from one Alk reagent to the next, ensure with the old bottle of reagent that you can get one more test from it. Test your water on the same day with the old reagent and the new. Note the discrepancy between the two bottles and carry the difference forward. For example, the old bottle tests 7.5 and the new bottle tests 7.7, that's a +0.2 modifier I calculate into whatever result the checker tells me. This prevents me from freaking out and adjusting Alk prematurely. Trust the tank unless it's WAY off, then trust but verify with another kit or solution.
4. I use the same cuvette for the zero'ing and the test itself. I don't fill two cuvettes and then swap them in. That's just me (maybe?!).
5. Always try to keep the glass as clean and pristine as possible.
6. When purchasing reagents, try to purchase from the same lot number (like when shopping at LFS).
7. Always have spare reagents.
8. Always have spare batteries!
9. Plan on purchasing spare cuvettes.
10. Don't store your Hanna checkers in the garage when moving and the temp gets below freezing. Who know that RODI water freezes and can cause your cuvettes to explode? (Yeah, I did that!)

Good luck!

Just John · Jan 21, 2023

V A R I A N T said:
Things that I do that I believe help with accuracy:

1. Purchase a 10ml syringe for each test kit and use this to fill the cuvette consistently and accurately. Place scotch tape over the numbers printed on the syringe so they don't wear off.
2. When storing the cuvette, fill with RODI, prevents water marks inside the cuvette.
3. When switching from one Alk reagent to the next, ensure with the old bottle of reagent that you can get one more test from it. Test your water on the same day with the old reagent and the new. Note the discrepancy between the two bottles and carry the difference forward. For example, the old bottle tests 7.5 and the new bottle tests 7.7, that's a +0.2 modifier I calculate into whatever result the checker tells me. This prevents me from freaking out and adjusting Alk prematurely. Trust the tank unless it's WAY off, then trust but verify with another kit or solution.
4. I use the same cuvette for the zero'ing and the test itself. I don't fill two cuvettes and then swap them in. That's just me (maybe?!).
5. Always try to keep the glass as clean and pristine as possible.
6. When purchasing reagents, try to purchase from the same lot number (like when shopping at LFS).
7. Always have spare reagents.
8. Always have spare batteries!
9. Plan on purchasing spare cuvettes.
10. Don't store your Hanna checkers in the garage when moving and the temp gets below freezing. Who know that RODI water freezes and can cause your cuvettes to explode? (Yeah, I did that!)

Good luck!

I wish I had thought of that tape idea two syringes ago, lol