Hanna Colormeter

[badbones]

In a few months I will have part of my new system going, which means I will have two independent large systems. I hate using test kits since I seem to be a little color blind. I was thinking to bite the bullet and buy a hanna colormeter that virtually test everything. I do think it does not test for alk though. Anyway, its costly and each reagent is not cheap either. I was thinking that if I buy this, I could test local reefers water for a very small fee to offset some of its cost. Will take a long time though.

http://www.enviroequip.com/sales/HannaC200.htm

Does anyone have any experience with this multitester than test 36 different things?

Will this cover the test needed for an SPS system? I see test like CA Hardness. Is that the same as our calcium test (Salifert). There are other test like silica and iodine which I have and take a lot of work and I just cant see the change in color so this is my hopeful solution.

All experience, good or bad, or suggestions appreciated

Thanks
Tony

 

[badbones]

Anyone??

 

[jdieck]

You need to talk to Hanna, I have the 203 version that tests Ammonia, Phosphate Nitrate and so on but althogh good for most some of the tests will not work for salt water like Nitrate because of the interference of other ions in the sample.
Also it is a bit cumbersome to use as you need to clean the vials very very well so it is a lot more practical and faster to use chemical tests, I found myself using it mostly for Low range Phosphate for which it is an excellent tool so my best recommendation to save you some money is to get the ion specific Low range Phosphate colorimeter (There are no good chemical kits for Phosphate in my opinion) and get chemical tests for everything else.
Of course for PH I recommend a monitor and for salinity a refractometer.

 

[NeuroLarry]

I don't know about the colorimeter but I like you have trouble judging the various shades of color so it seems like a good idea. Calcium hardness is a measure of alkalinity not calcium which is a different test.