Hanna phosphorus kit Hi736...testing question

[miserkris]

The ulr Hanna phosphorus kit
Hi736 arrived.

I tested using both vials.one to fill sw....one with sw and reagent. I did that since the unit shuts off if I don't do the mixing fast enough. Is this ok?

I inserted the first during c1 and inserted the second during c2.

If it's using a light source to test sorta like a spectrometer then using two vials should be ok right?

Thanks

 

[hogfanreefer]

According to the directions that's not ok. The vials are not perfectly the same and doing it that way could introduce error. I set a timer on my phone for 2 minutes and never have any problem. Even if it's not all dissolved the suspended particles will settle to the bottom out of the sensor's line of sight during the 3 minute delay after mixing.

I also use the 10 ml number on the vial to align the vial the same way each time.

 

[tkeracer619]

^^ This

Also, I don't really follow the directions exactly.

I cut two adjacent sides with scissors and open it and pinch the cut corner so it works like a guide for the powder. I then shake the crap out of the vial for 30 seconds and then spend the next minutes and a half working the bubbles out. I clean the vial after every use with vinegar. I use a 10ml syringe to fill the vial.

Seems like a pain but the test kit is very sensitive, it takes some practice and patience to get it right.

 

[miserkris]

Interesting....hmmm.

But both vials are exactly the same design.anyway I'll follow your advice.

My issue is I spend more time emptying out packet and working bubbles out. Next time I'll cut reagent before hand.

Good to know that you can shake it vigorously and let bubbles settle.

Thanks...

 

[hogfanreefer]

tke, have you bought reagent recently. They have marked a cut line just like you describe. Works great for me but I cut about a 1/4" inside the line. The shorter sides make it easier to deform the pouch and make the funnel.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Interesting....hmmm.

But both vials are exactly the same design.anyway I'll follow your advice.

My issue is I spend more time emptying out packet and working bubbles out. Next time I'll cut reagent before hand.

Good to know that you can shake it vigorously and let bubbles settle.

Thanks...

They are designed the same but there is no way the glass is the same thickness, clearness and curve in both vials. If you cut the pouch the way indicated above it shouldn't take more than a few seconds to get all the powder in the vial.

I agree with cutting the pack before starting the test.

 

[tkeracer619]

Hah! No, I have over a 100 tests left too. The annoying part for me is when the opposite corner pinches in keeping that reagent from falling out. Maybe 1 out of 5 does that and it takes a bit extra effort. A pixi stix shaped pouch would be better but I doubt they could properly label it with the warnings that way. I can see kids seeing pixi stix and go to town on reagents...

Definitely cut the pouch before hand.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Is this how you open it? I hold it by the corner that gets cut out and thump it several times before cutting it to make all the powder settle in the one remaining uncut corner.

 

[tkeracer619]

Yup.

 

[miserkris]

Tk...
Do u clean vial in full concentration of vinegar?

After that do u rinse in rodi?

 

[tkeracer619]

Yes, full strength. Yes, I have RODI on tap. Not terribly sure it would be worth it if not easy though.

 

[igadget56]

Mine gives me three minutes to mix before it turns off

 

[BigJohnny]

These reagent packets are so incredibly annoying. Gotta be a better way! I can never get it all out or I spill some. I literally stopped using the checker after 1 week. The alkalinity reagent is liquid [emoji106]

 

[taricha]

I did the 2 vial method and was getting steady decreasing concentrations of phos in line with my carbon dosing regiment over 3 tests in 6 weeks, then I got a number that made no sense, really examined some things and realized the 2 vial method was giving me random useless numbers the whole time.

 

[SFish]

U can dissolve the reagent in a bigger container as long as the volume is the same. Also a funnel helps.

 

[CHSUB]

i dump the powder in a folded plastic card before starting test, makes adding powder easy.

 

[Hitch08]

I set up the timer on my iPad - I found that it helps a lot.

 

[miserkris]

I did the 2 vial method and was getting steady decreasing concentrations of phos in line with my carbon dosing regiment over 3 tests in 6 weeks, then I got a number that made no sense, really examined some things and realized the 2 vial method was giving me random useless numbers the whole time.

Wow.scary....

That means we should stick to one vial only and hide the other vial...always to get consistent results that make sense.

That folded plastic card is a good idea..Will try that.

Might be useful to clean everything well afterward. I'll make sure my hands are clean and dry. I hope finger prints don't affect the results lol.

How come some people get 2 min and some 3 min till you add the reagent and press button?

 

[SFish]

Wow.scary....

That means we should stick to one vial only and hide the other vial...always to get consistent results that make sense.

That folded plastic card is a good idea..Will try that.

Might be useful to clean everything well afterward. I'll make sure my hands are clean and dry. I hope finger prints don't affect the results lol.

How come some people get 2 min and some 3 min till you add the reagent and press button?

Im pretty sure finger prints will mess up your readings. If the outside is scratched or wet it will mess up your readings as well.

 

[hogfanreefer]

Wow.scary....

That means we should stick to one vial only and hide the other vial...always to get consistent results that make sense.

That folded plastic card is a good idea..Will try that.

Might be useful to clean everything well afterward. I'll make sure my hands are clean and dry. I hope finger prints don't affect the results lol.

How come some people get 2 min and some 3 min till you add the reagent and press button?

As long as you only use one vial for each test it doesn't matter which one. The C1 reading is to zero the unit...doesn't matter which vial as long as it is the same one for the entire test.

You've got three minutes after C1 to put in the reagent and mix. I use a 2 minute timer just be to safe. If you are longer than 3 minutes the unit shuts off.