Issue with Hanna Alkalinity Checker?

[ccwbank]

Anyone had an issue with a brand new Hanna checker? I ran a test on my tank and each time get a reading of "0"...which is in ppm. I then ran a test on a fresh batch of seawater and got a reading of "1" ppm. 1ppm = 0.02 meq/L or 0.056 dkh.

I've seen all the online tips and videos about being very precise in your measurements and feel I'm at a dead-end with this unit.

As a cross reference I tested both tank water and a fresh batch of seawater with some API 5-in-1 test strips and get normal ALK readings.

 

[tmulrney]

Anyone had an issue with a brand new Hanna checker? I ran a test on my tank and each time get a reading of "0"...which is in ppm. I then ran a test on a fresh batch of seawater and got a reading of "1" ppm. 1ppm = 0.02 meq/L or 0.056 dkh.

I've seen all the online tips and videos about being very precise in your measurements and feel I'm at a dead-end with this unit.

As a cross reference I tested both tank water and a fresh batch of seawater with some API 5-in-1 test strips and get normal ALK readings.

I have three Hanna checkers and personally only experienced this once.....when I didn't do the test correctly. Trying to remember now what I did wrong, but I think I used RO instead of tank water by mistake. Make sure you are doing the test correctly.

 

[bertoni]

I can't comment much. Your meter might be bad, or there might have been some simple mistake made. I can't tell which, but people usually report better results than that for this meter, but I've never used one.

 

[OKDOHK]

i would agree. Likely you are missing a step somewhere. How much of the reagent are you adding? Are you calibrating (C1) with normal saltwater first before adding reagent for C2 step? Worst case, take the tester to someone that uses the same product and have them test with yours.

 

[Dr. Reef]

not sure how ur performing the test but this is how i do it.
1. sample water from tank and C1 zero the meter.
2. add 1ml of reagent and shake it for few.
3. C2 reading should be ur result in ppm
multiply the reading with 0.056 to get dkh.

 

[andyrm66]

I power on the meter, then when it blinks c1, add tank water, then wait then add 1ml reagent, then turn vial upside down 4 times,hold button until timer starts, then after countdown is done flip vial twice, them hit button and take reading.

 

[taylorjonl]

Here are the instructions for using this meter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO0XIaf4TOk&feature=player_embedded

 

[taylorjonl]

I just opened my alkalinity checker, got that along with the iodine tester today in the mail. I have to say I am impressed, measured 152ppm or 8.5dkh. I check this against my API test kit along with some test strips, all measurements supported each other.

I also own the phosphate and I have a calcium checker coming tomorrow. The only way to test IMO, I hate the color card comparisons with a passion.

 

[taeto1]

I am having the same issue ith my Hanna Tester.
I do the test various times and it give me 0 as a result.
Only on 1 ocation did it give me the correct reading of 140
I will try to switch out the battery see if that helps

 

[Sk8r]

I prefer Salifert for alk-cal. You get a numerical result pdq. You do have to watch expiration date, but that's in years, not months.

 

[Timfish]

I like API alkalinity. I got a Hanna ALklinity and checked it agianst a freinds. Using both reagents in both testers with the same water sample gave 4 different numbers with .9 dKH between the high and low. Needless to say I wasn't impressed. It doesn't help that Hanna had some bad reagent that caused people t needlessly screw with their alkalinity. Other test kits are cheaper and simpler and multiple test kits can be used to increase confidance in the results. Another practice I do is always test new kits against old kits to make sure the old reagent hasn't degraded.

 

[Sk8r]

A good idea to write the expiration date in marker pen on the boxes of reef chemicals. You can really mess your tank up if you chase bad test results.