Hanna Alk checker

[Joe0813]

Would just like to thank a Hanna ALK checker for almost nuking our tank. Started dosing alk and calc, testing every few days and adjusting. started to notice the tank was unhappy and the nems were all deflated. checked checked and checked some more with a hanna checker and always got around 8.2 to 8.8 for alk.. took the water to a LFS and alk was actually 15. came home and rechecked with a hanna to check his number, tester read 8.8. tested with a KH test kit and low and behold 15. These testers are absolute junk. Had an issue with the calcium one giving me a reading of 560 and now the alk was reading way off. junk junk junnnnk :mad2: :mad2:

 

[Drix]

I was just looking at picking one of these things up. As a lazy reefer these days, I wanted something that would make life a little bit easier and as such foster a better behavior pattern for testing. Sadly, it seems like every review I read that isn't "glowing" basically says the same thing, poor readings, and inconsistency.

 

[eder10986]

Sorry this happened. I've never had a single issue with one of their checkers. I'm sure you checked to see if your solution was expired or not. Otherwise that could have very well been the culprit as well as low battery

 

[Joe0813]

I actually even replaced the battery and checked it again.... still had a number no where near the 15. wondered why all my corals and nems were so mad

 

[newbie2014]

Ive been thinking about getting the Hanna for Alk because of the digital readout. But I also have API as a backup. A faulty lab grade refractometer caused high salinity which nuked all of my corals for the first 2-3 months. So I learned to double up when something doesn’t look right.

 

[Joe0813]

I just never thought a number looked wrong. It was a legitimate number. 8.2 to 8.8 so it wasn't like it read 2 or 20. Good thing I checked with a lfs before it was to late

 

[soulpatch]

My Hanna also reads lower then actual but not that low. I get a 7.3 when it is 8.3 as found on various other test kit brands. I just know it will be lower then actual and deal with it when I test. I had gone through Hanna sending replacement regents and such but to no avail.

Pretty much just go with Salifert at this point as it is just as quick and I dont have to be as anal about cleaning the vials.

 

[homer1475]

I had the same fears when I first bought my ALK checker. I periodically check my hanna against salifert, and both are pretty close(usually between .1 to .3 of each other).

Although mine works, I have read quite a few stories like yours. One of the reasons I am only using the ALK and PO4 checkers. All my other tests are salifert.

 

[Joe0813]

I am going to order a salifert test kit and shoot the hanna with my new smith and Wesson AR

 

[Drix]

I am going to order a salifert test kit and shoot the hanna with my new smith and Wesson AR

Is that thing reef friendly?

 

[soulpatch]

Is that thing reef friendly?

How else do you "drill" your bulkheads?

 

[Joe0813]

I usually use the 12g to drill out the bulkheads... gives a cleaner look with slugs. just don't use bird shot or youll get a lot more bulkheads than you wanted