Hanna Checkers

[Grayhead]

I have read mixed reviews on certain checkers. Yesterday, I checked my parameters before a water change. With the Hanna, my alk registered 20 DKH. With Saliefert, it registered 9.6 DKH. While I was dumping the test vial in the sink, I accidentally dumped the testing solution for the Saliefert test kit as well. (you should never talk on the phone while doing anything with your reef)

Nothing in the tank seems to be in distress. I did the water change, shut the dosing pump down, and rechecked this morning. Still 20 DKH. I hasve no other test kits to check with at the moment. I did see the reaction agent was expired in September for the Hanna checker. So I am curious as to what I should do. I would think my corals would be very irritated it the alk was that high. My Mag and calcium are within normal parameters. 350 for calcium, and 1150 for mag. I adjusted the dosing yesterday to raise the Mag a bit more. I am targeting 1400 for mag.

Any thoughts?

 

[scar79]

Your tank would be a disaster zone if alk was at 20. I'm not familiar with the process for the Hanna alk tester, but could you be doubling your reagent?

 

[Joe0813]

I have the alk checker too. I never was able to get a good reading with it

 

[hbrochs]

Alk

Alk

I would think that if the corals in your tank look happy, then the test kit must be off. Either a problem with the kit itself or a problem with your testing process.

I would go get another brand of test kit. I like Red Sea Pro, but get what the lfs has and test again. I wouldn't do any major changes at all. I think your observations of your tanks health is a better indicator than the test kit.

Water change wouldn't hurt any though.

 

[Grayhead]

The Hanna is fairly fool proof. Zero water, add powder, then test again. I thought if it was off that much the tank would be dead.

Red Sea is next to try. One would think Hanna would do better than this

 

[Potatohead]

My Hanna reads .5-.6 dKH higher than my Salifert kit, but it's seriously repeatable, to the point I bought the Salifert after because I thought the Hanna may be broken. It's very important to make sure the vials are clean of water and fingerprints before putting them in the checker. I wipe them off with a paper towel before inserting. I also make sure I tip the vial the same amount every time, and don't shake it. My experience is it is extremely reliable.

Edit - I just noticed you're adding powder to the alk checker? That doesn't make any sense, it uses liquid reagent. The phosphorous one does use powder though, so if you are adding the phosphorous reagent and checking it in the alk checker, I can see it being way off.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Edit - I just noticed you're adding powder to the alk checker? That doesn't make any sense, it uses liquid reagent. The phosphorous one does use powder though, so if you are adding the phosphorous reagent and checking it in the alk checker, I can see it being way off.

I think this might be your problem.

 

[Grayhead]

That was my bad, it is reagent. I thought at first I had added the calcium reagent, but it was that greenish color both times. I've checked it for over a year now, sometimes checking with the salifert test, with no issues. So something changed with the reagent I assume. It was one month past the expiration date, but hard to believe it could change that quick. I'll order one more round of reagent to see if something changes. I'm also going to order red Sea to test against it.
I saw the video for the Hanna that checks PH, SG, and TDs. I won't be rushing out to purchase that anytime soon.


Which leads to my next question. How long do you guys think it will be before someome develops a continuous monitor for all our fields we test for. Sort of a all in one unit? I have to believe something is being developed at some point

 

[scar79]

Check out mindstream. Looks like they may release next year. $$$, but should be a real game changer for the hobby especially if the price drops over time

 

[Potatohead]

There was a guy at Macna showing off an automated alk checker he invented, it could check as often as every ten minutes. It wouldn't surprise me to see one of these on the market within 3-4 years but it will not be cheap, and they still use reagents so it's not a one time cost either.

Found the vid;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?=youtu.be&v=CJttd_YzmbQ