New Hanna pH Checker - 8.6?!

[907_Reefer]

Got my first Hanna Checker yesterday! pH was the first to arrive (Alkalinity and Calcium are also on the way).

So, I've been using a Red Sea test kit to check my levels. Tank was started up about a month ago, have some livestock in, pH was sitting right around 8.0, double checked with a backup API kit. Since dKH was also low (6), we have done 3 rounds of Reef Fusion 2-part Alk/Ca dosing. The first 2 were 2 days apart, then 3 days, then it's been 4 days since the 3rd dose. Not trying to overdose anything. This brought pH up to 8.2 (via Red Sea testing), and dKH 7.0. Looking better!

So I checked pH with the new Hanna Checker yesterday, 8.6! Checked again, 8.6! Checked pH of my RO water, 6.3! Checked tank pH again, 8.6! Checked tank pH with the Red Sea kit, looks like 8.2! I'll get some photos of the Red Sea testing later today..

Question for the day is, am I way high at 8.6 or do I need to get some calibration fluid for this thing already?!

 

[907_Reefer]

Also wanted to note, I did a 5 gal (15%) water change yesterday just incase, and this is the first round with Coral Pro Red Sea Salt. At SG 1.025, I Hanna-Checked the pH, also 8.6! The container notes "8.2-8.5" at 34 ppt..

 

[907_Reefer]

Alright, so I read a number of additional posts on Hanna pH checkers and one noted to squeeze the reagent bottle as ligghhtllyy as possible to get minimum drop sizes. Tested again carefully today, boom, 8.2! That's better

 

[homer1475]

Our procedures with hobby grade test kits, can give wildly different result. Specially true with the hanna checkers, and doubly true with the calcium checker.

Calcium is the only one I do not own. Read too many horror stories to even try it. The sample size is so small, a sinlge drop in either direction, gives wildly different results.

 

[Vagabond]

Got my first Hanna Checker yesterday! pH was the first to arrive (Alkalinity and Calcium are also on the way).

So, I've been using a Red Sea test kit to check my levels. Tank was started up about a month ago, have some livestock in, pH was sitting right around 8.0, double checked with a backup API kit. Since dKH was also low (6), we have done 3 rounds of Reef Fusion 2-part Alk/Ca dosing. The first 2 were 2 days apart, then 3 days, then it's been 4 days since the 3rd dose. Not trying to overdose anything. This brought pH up to 8.2 (via Red Sea testing), and dKH 7.0. Looking better!

So I checked pH with the new Hanna Checker yesterday, 8.6! Checked again, 8.6! Checked pH of my RO water, 6.3! Checked tank pH again, 8.6! Checked tank pH with the Red Sea kit, looks like 8.2! I'll get some photos of the Red Sea testing later today..

Question for the day is, am I way high at 8.6 or do I need to get some calibration fluid for this thing already?!

What Hanna checker did you get?Egg or a red looking one that's similar to the salinity, temp?

 

[homer1475]

I would assume, since it uses reagent, its the egg.

The red one is just a dip and test.

 

[907_Reefer]

Yes, sorry, the HI870 (edit: HI780) white egg:

Marine pH Colorimeter HI780 Hanna Checker

The HI780 Marine pH Checker HC is a simple, accurate and cost effective way to measure pH in saltwater. With a digital readout, there is no more struggling to determine colors visually. This pH tester's compact design stores easily with your other testing equipment. Keeping your aquarium pH...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[bnord]

Our procedures with hobby grade test kits, can give wildly different result. Specially true with the hanna checkers, and doubly true with the calcium checker.

Calcium is the only one I do not own. Read too many horror stories to even try it. The sample size is so small, a sinlge drop in either direction, gives wildly different results.

still use Red Sea Ca and Mag - seem consistent any way

 

[youcallmenny1]

I've been using this same checker for the last month. It's seemed pretty accurate but I switched to AFR and off 2-part (soda ash) and my PH went up to 8.6 today. What gives?