Hanna ALK testers

Seems to be the most common electronic tester/checker; very easy to use, accurate, and not too expensive to get refills. Recommend.
 
I had good results with Salifert and IO kits for calcium, although the IO kit took a while to run. I haven't used the API kit. It's probably fine, though.
 
I have all kinds of HANNA colorimeters, I think they are all great including the calcium (the kit with the 150 up piptette) I would recommend them to anyone. I prefer the 'number' over judging colors myself.
 
the alk "egg" is great. i have the ca one as well but the problem with that is the sample size is so small that it's very easy to add too much or too little. for the alk test it's 10mL sample, press button, 1mL reagent via syringe, shake, press button.
 
zachogden said:
shake
Click to expand...


No, don't do that. The directions say "œgently invert 5 times". Shaking can introduce air into the sample and change its pH which can affect your reading. Additionally if there are air bubbles left in the sample at the time you take the reading it can be affected as well.

The Hanna calcium directions do tell you to "œshake vigorously". If they wanted you to shake the alk test they would have told you to do so.
 
BrettDS said:
No, don't do that. The directions say "œgently invert 5 times". Shaking can introduce air into the sample and change its pH which can affect your reading. Additionally if there are air bubbles left in the sample at the time you take the reading it can be affected as well.

The Hanna calcium directions do tell you to "œshake vigorously". If they wanted you to shake the alk test they would have told you to do so.
Click to expand...

I wrote "shake" in the interest of brevity (quicker to type than "gently invert 5 times taking care to not introduce microbubbles into the sample which will interfere with the colorimeter"), but thanks.
 
zachogden said:
I wrote "shake" in the interest of brevity (quicker to type than "gently invert 5 times taking care to not introduce microbubbles into the sample which will interfere with the colorimeter"), but thanks.
Click to expand...


Haha, fair enough. I can see how that doesn't sound quite roll off the tongue;)
 
I got the unit yesterday and I think/hope it measures low my tank came up with 5.3dKh and freshly mixed IORC measured 11.3dKh?
 
bertoni said:
That number for Reef Crystals seems about right. 5.3 dKH is very low.
Click to expand...

Yea I read the RC mixes around 13dKh so +- 1 I'm still low I just did 10% WC and am up to 6.2dKh I'll check it again in the morning and start a new batch for another 10%
My PH is steady at 8.2 and my Ca is 460ppm with these measurements is it still possible for my Alk to be that low?
 
That alkalinity is within the expected range for a tank that isn't getting any dosing. Water changes might be enough to keep the level up, but often not. My soft coral tanks went through 2-3 dKH per day.
 
So I was able to get a bump of 1dKh with the first WC & probably less on the next at 10% per. The tank cycled last September & I have been stocking for the last 2 months with a few Acans a hammer 2 acros a couple zoas a favia 2 mushrooms & 2 chalices.
Now that I'm counting there is more coral than I thought?
I thought I would see the Ca go first?
Jonathan Thank you I really appreciate the help!
 
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