Hanna Phosphate checker.........pulling my hair out!

meshwheel

meshwheel

New member
hi guys,
This Hana Phosphate checker is driving me fricken nuts! I get readings all over the place. It's old, and has alot of use. Does anyone know if these things go out of calibration?
I get anywhere from 0.09 up to 0.30!!! My D&D High Sensitivity test kit gives me rock solid readings of 0.04-0.06 everytime.
Do you guys think I should purchase another Hanna checker or a different kit? My D&D kit is getting old too.
My new 65 gallon will be mostly SPS, so I need a good rock solid Phosphate test kit!
Thanks!:thumbsup:
 
I would look to your corals to tell you if your phosphates are too high/too low. I have come to the conclusion that there is not a really good test kit for phosphate on the hobbyist market right now. I have a hanna phosphorus meter, but I only use it if I think things look off.

I think they sell calibration solutions for the hanna meters. I would try contacting them to see if you can order one.
 
Hi Matt,
Thank you for the suggestions. Yes, I have a feeling that the price of the calibration solution may warrant just purchasing a new meter.
The reason i want one thats gives accurate readings is for stocking my tank with frags. My tank is about 1 month old, and I have the nitrates dialed in now, just want the phosphates a bit lower.
Thanks!
 
You may want to also check the glass vials to see if there are any scratches because that will also throw the numbers off.
 
vuqchu,
Thanks! Yea, I did and they are full of scratches! I have had it for quite some time. What I do is take it in and out the exact same angle. Not sure if it helps. It seems to give me the same numbers or very close, one test after the other, but the numbers come in very high at times. I was going to try the new Red Sea Algae control Pro kit. It comes with a nitrate test kit as well and both are getting really good reviews!!!
I read one really long horrible review on both, and then at the end come to find out the guys using them for freshwater.......................LOL
 
Hahaha! Classic!

Yeah. Same thing happened to me too. Numbers all over the place. I only test occasionally when I see some signs in the tank. Wasted like half a box of reagent then finally said forget it and took it to the pros at the LFS. They told me they had the same problems when the vials get scratched up after a while.

Will have to look into that Red Sea kit. Thanks for the tip.
 
LMAO!!!!! Should I post a picture of my face with both glass vials hanging out of my nostrils to make it REALLY FUNNY??? LOL!!!!!
I guess the scratches could be reflecting the beam all over the place? At any rate, sounds like the problem. Wonder if I should order a new one..........................LOL
 
BRS had a good sale for the kit during the Black Friday event. Almost bought a couple just for the reagent alone as that is already pricey. But had to stop myself from hoarding more reef related stuff. Hahaha. I would check with BRS to see if they'll have that again for Christmas if you plant to stock of the arsenal of Hanna related test kits :)
 
I usually get them from other local reefers. There are a couple guys sort of "in the business" that I have bought from in the past. Hit or miss sometimes if the are wild pieces. :) Let me know what you are looking for and I can send you to the people that may have them. There is an event coming up in April that may be a good place to pick up some pieces. I think it's called Marine Aquarium Expo at the OC Fair.
 
My favs are ORA frags. Tanks is only a month old. 65 gallon. Have a few older LPS corals in the tank. Just getting things dialed in. Should be ready next week, which is not good for shipping due to Christmas.
I have alot of room. Found a guy on ebay thats pretty reasonable. He's in this area too. Just have to watch out for the dreaded pests........
 
I have not bought any corals online since we are in a pretty concentrated area of reefers. Never had a problem finding pieces that I want locally. Even for dry goods with a really large online distributer around the area (won't name names because I might get in trouble with mod :) )

I dip everything before it goes in tank, even of they are from reputable people with awesome looking tanks that I get frags from.
 
It's not just that. I have an ultra low checker too. Unless you also use every bit of reagent in the pack your readings will also be off because of it. It's a royal PITA.
 
Amen to ^

Wonder why they don't come up with some kind of a phosphate probe for the apex controller already :)
 
S2minute,
I had pretty good luck with it up until recently. it is old, like I said. Probably 2 years or better I bet. Lets face it, with the reagents it's not a cheap tester. So you SHOULD get fantastic consistent results.
I'm going to try the Red Sea Pro Algae kit. It has both phos and nitrates in one kit. I have read excellent reviews on it from quite a few hobbyists...
 
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