Hanna vs Salifert Alkalinity

[CTaylor]

Hi,

I tested my water with Hanna checker ppm alk 2 times over. This gave 120 ppm = 6.72 dkh. Salifert, I tested 2 times also. This came to 8.3 dkh both times. Which one do I go by? I got the Salifert kit 3 months ago, expires 2021. I got the Hanna kit one month ago. So both are 'fresh'.

*I used the 6.7 dkh standard that came with the salifert kit as a sample for both the Hanna and the salifert kit:
Hanna = 4.76
Salifert 6.8 !!

**I did wipe clean the test vial for the Hanna and no bubbles. **I've been very careful in my test methods. I did test it earlier in the day at 7.45 dkh, which makes sense for it to go down during the day (I dose 2 part in the morning -- but I didnt today).

**Side note... My Calcium is low, both my Hanna and Salifert test the same (both in duplicate) at 320 ppm. So apparently I'm good at testing methods , since I read that many people can not get precise and accurate results with the Hanna Ca Kit.
My Mg tested with Salifert is 1330 pm

Thanks!

 

[naecO.rM]

Check your Hanna's test partial number. Some times ago Hanna was recall some tests becous of faulty powder tests.

Your salifert is good. Only what you have to do its make a proportion of standard test 6.7dkh and the results of measurement.
6.7/6.8=0,985
Your next measurement of KH with Salifert you have to multiple by 0,985.
As example , yours measure of KH is 8dKH , 8*0,985=7,88 , so your real KH is 7,88dKH.


Хорошего рифа!

 

[CTaylor]

***I read that hanna testing fluid can go bad. I happen to have a refill bottle. I just tested with the new bottle and = 8.57 dkh with hanna! . I think I need to keep the bottle upright??? so the fluid does not touch the lid?? WEIRD!

 

[Art13]

They had a bad batch and did a recall due to their vendor switching the material or something in the caps causing the issue. I believe they have remedied this, your old test bottle may have been one of the ones effected.

 

[hkgar]

used to test with the Hanna and found that towards the end of a bottle results started getting lower. I always shook the bottle before testing. I now have the Hanna in permanent storage and rely exclusively on Salifert. I also use Salifert for CA and verify from time to time with Elos.

 

[CTaylor]

Salifert actually does the same thing over time.. lower readings. No one else noticed this? What if the Hana bottle is kept upright and never shaken?
**My Salifert CA kits always show lower Ca over time as well. So i'm goign to guess the same situation holds for the liquid reagent for Hanna Ca++(??)

 

[bertoni]

Most liquid reagents will get stronger over time as water evaporates from them. Keeping them capped as much as possible should help some, but it's going to happen. I'd probably trust the Salifert kit, since it's new, but either could be correct. Maybe a local fish store could run a test for you?

 

[amcvay1979]

I love my Hanna checkers but the ALK tester is pretty much junk. If you have a new, un-opened bottle of reagent, sure, trust it. Anything over 1 week old and your guess is as good as mine. Salifert seems to be the best ALK test out there. Hanna for Phosphates and Calcium seem dead on, but ALK is a total crap shoot based on too many variables I don't have time to control.

 

[Potatohead]

I have no problems with the Hanna Alk checker, I have the newer dkh one I don't know if that matters or not. I am on my third bottle, I check almost every day (five to six days a week) and its typically very close to where I expect the tank to be. I've never had a reason to doubt it.

 

[outssider]

I love my Hanna checkers but the ALK tester is pretty much junk. If you have a new, un-opened bottle of reagent, sure, trust it. Anything over 1 week old and your guess is as good as mine. Salifert seems to be the best ALK test out there. Hanna for Phosphates and Calcium seem dead on, but ALK is a total crap shoot based on too many variables I don't have time to control.

try storing the reagent in the fridge. mine lasts for months. the last of old bottle measures the same as first of new one.

 

[CTaylor]

interesting info! ... PS I get 0 ppb Phoshpate on my seahorse tank (very weird) and 3 on my reef. Good to know that is actually accurate ... then my phophate removers actually are working! Salifert also shows non-detctible. And good to know on the Ca++ kit. That one is hardest to get the right reading withcolor change. Salifert Alk not so bad -- I just know to read it when it first changes to orange... not to wait for pink.

 

[AugustWest]

try storing the reagent in the fridge. mine lasts for months. the last of old bottle measures the same as first of new one.

Where did you hear about storing the reagent in the fridge ? I always start getting unreliable results when I get towards the end of the bottle.

Between that and bad batches of reagents I gave up on the Hanna and stick with the Salifert which is very consistent .

 

[Stevenrickard]

Have to try this!!!

Have to try this!!!

try storing the reagent in the fridge. mine lasts for months. the last of old bottle measures the same as first of new one.

Good to know, I'm going to have to try that out and see if it helps. I've got a new batch getting delivered on Friday... I've been pulling my hair out :headwally: this past week as the bottle ran lower and lower and my Alk numbers were dropping like crazy...

Last of the bottle was used last night and registered at 5.44... Was staying strong between 7.50-8 for weeks. Couldn't wrap my head around what was sucking it all up and using it that fast. A few more days of it and was going to start a thread for sanity checks. Picking up a Salifert on my way home, we'll see where I am after all the excessive dosing I've been doing. I feel a water change calling my name... SPS's all seem to be looking good though thankfully.