Stir Plate or Vortex Mixer

[flyhpr]

I hate to do all the shaking to mix reagents when testing my system. Is there any advantage to using a stir plate over a vortex mixer? I like the idea of using a vortex because there is no pill to use. I also know that I don't know enough to make an informed purchasing decision without some help.

TIA for the help.

 

[jccaclimber]

Depends on the test. It’s been a really, really, long time since I used a vortex mixer, and it was the type where it’s only on when you push down on it. I can see that being difficult with titration tests. With the pill you just stare at it as you add drops.
I have a tiny pill that fits nicely in the Red Sea test containers, but it wouldn’t fit in say the Hanna or API containers.

I also use my stir plate when mixing 2 part from powder, which takes a while. I don’t have enough vortex mixer experience to know, but would it work for putting a gallon container on it and coming back in 20 minutes the way a stir plate does?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

A stir plate allows a pH meter to be in the water, while that is hard with a vortex mixer. For example, for a DIY alk test.