hanna checkers

[redseaapples]

has anyone found the hanna checkers to be less than accurate? ive found my alk hanna checker appears to be out in comparison to a proffesional test ..ive triple checked as i know measuring the 1 ml is critical...
all my other checkers appear to be ok ..alk has not been used a lot ..reagent is brand new

 

[jrill]

has anyone found the hanna checkers to be less than accurate? ive found my alk hanna checker appears to be out in comparison to a proffesional test ..ive triple checked as i know measuring the 1 ml is critical...
all my other checkers appear to be ok ..alk has not been used a lot ..reagent is brand new

No, mine are pretty close to icp. But it is still a hobby grade kit so factor in the error level listed

 

[griss]

No, mine are pretty close to icp. But it is still a hobby grade kit so factor in the error level listed

This. I’ve not seen issues with any other than the calcium being more work than it’s worth IMO.

 

[wvned]

It is a manufactured hobby device. I would be truly surprised if there wasn't a bad one now and then.

But no I have not found Hanna checkers in general to be inaccurate.
The cuvettes have to be clear and clean and no bubbles inside when measuring.

It is more important that the device provides a repeatable value on a test. Run 3 tests. Do they agree? If they do apply a correction factor to the amount so it reads comparable to the other test you reference.

They are hobby grade devices. That is why we can afford to own them.

 

[Uncle99]

Alk, Nitrate and phosphate (phosphorus) on the money.
CA and MG were both inconsistent. CA ran high at 468-523ppm, actual 420. MG 1500-1580ppm,actual 1465ppm.
The reason for this is likely the small sample size used.
It depends on what “out” means in terms of the variation you are experiencing.

 

[FishMann]

Which ones are worth it over salifert? Brs has them on sale.

 

[kharmaguru]

Alk and phosphate for me. Hanna alk is super simple and consistent, and it's been a while but I think I switched to the Hanna phosphate because the Salifert was impossible to read. I like the salifert nitrate and wouldn't switch that one although I never tried the Hanna.

 

[jrill]

Alk, Nitrate and phosphate (phosphorus) on the money.
CA and MG were both inconsistent. CA ran high at 468-523ppm, actual 420. MG 1500-1580ppm,actual 1465ppm.
The reason for this is likely the small sample size used.
It depends on what “out” means in terms of the variation you are experiencing.

I have found the Hanna magnesium test to be way off. The Calcium has been tracking with icp as long as you use distilled water as directed.

 

[wvned]

I just use my RODI water.

 

[griss]

Alk and phosphate for me. Hanna alk is super simple and consistent, and it's been a while but I think I switched to the Hanna phosphate because the Salifert was impossible to read. I like the salifert nitrate and wouldn't switch that one although I never tried the Hanna.

I’m surprised you like the Salifert nitrate. I can’t tell the color difference.

 

[kharmaguru]

I’m surprised you like the Salifert nitrate. I can’t tell the color difference.

I always do the side view and divide by 10. I honestly don't think exact numbers for nitrate are that important.

 

[griss]

I always do the side view and divide by 10. I honestly don't think exact numbers for nitrate are that important.

I do that as well but still 90% of the time I’m thinking “it’s either this one or this one.” lol

 

[jrill]

I just use my RODI water.

That's has been shown to cause issues with the results

 

[wvned]

That's has been shown to cause issues with the results

Mine doesn't. That isn't a problem with the checker, it's a problem with hard source water and how your RODI is set up.
I don't have hard source water.
The directions say to use deionized water, not distilled water. Your resin bed should produce this.

 

[jrill]

Mine doesn't. That isn't a problem with the checker, it's a problem with hard source water and how your RODI is set up.
I don't have hard source water.
The directions say to use deionized water, not distilled water. Your resin bed should produce this.

Interesting, they changed it then. My instructions say distilled.

 

[griss]

Interesting, they changed it then. My instructions say distilled.

Just bought mine a month or two ago and the directions say distilled as well.

 

[wvned]

Mine doesnt but what I looked at are the online directions.
It doesnt either.

oh wait, its in the troubleshooting section.
Use pure vapor distilled water from your local pharmacy at C1 phase. RODI water from home filtration units may not be suitable for this test as calcium can easily permeate through your filter membranes.

This is true. But it isnt the membrane that is supposed to remove it. The resin does that.

Mine is exactly like this and this is what is on the online manual if you download it.
The test works fine if your RODI is making deionized water like it should be.
There is more to this than going through the motions. If your RODI water is messing up the test, you have a problem with your filter and it isn't making RODI water.

From another perspective the major difference between the two is distilled water can be considered sterile until opened. It has been boiled. You use it in medical inhalation devices and other things because of that.

Deiononized water is filtered and passed through anion and cation resins but nothing is done to kill pathogens in it.