My new toy - Hanna Phosphate checker

[Tomoko Schum]

Hi y'all,

I just got my new phosphate checker. Here's the image:

I used to use Salifert test kits. Although the test results always appeared zero, as you know, it's not easy to decipher the color of water with the printed color chart. So after hearing a very good report on the Hanna's checker from a trusted reefer in Nashville frag, I decided to aquire the checker.

Here's my result in ppb (not ppm). Drum roll please... TaDaa:

To get a ppm result, you have to divide it by 1000. So, it must be 0.007 ppm

This gotta be the "Agae Power":bounce3:

A sump-ful of chaetomorpha and a bunch of bubble algae in the display tank :spin2:

I was expecting more like 0.1 or 0.2 ppm at least, knowing that I have not replaced my Iron oxide phophate remover for at least a few months. I also have a bag of old activated carbon (like 3 months old) in the sump. On top of it, I implusively added a foxface and a powder blue tang - my very first tang :inlove: to my already full lineup of little fishes.

My foxface has actually cleaned up a lot of small bubble algae now. I will take another reading in a week or two and see if the value changes.

 

[gflat65]

Keep us posted on how it does for you over time. I wonder how much variation there'd be between this and the photometer the club has. I bet this one is a little easier to use. Keeping the cuvet clean for the test on the other one is difficult.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Do you guys have a Hanna's LR photometer?
The checker is very easy to use. I hear that it is quite accurate.

 

[wpecoul]

Yes, we do. And +1 to the difficulty of keeping the cuvets clean. They also have a tendency to leak when shaking to dissolve the reagent.

Do you guys have a Hanna's LR photometer?
The checker is very easy to use. I hear that it is quite accurate.

 

[poolkeeper1]

Tomoko, The easy formula from PPB to PPM is take your result and times by three, 7x3=21 then you add the proper 0.021 PPM is the correct result. The exact formula is something like 1.033x your result then divide by nother # that i do not remember at the moment, I will try and get it to you when i find it. But just 3x#= is good enough plus add the 0.0 the what ever # you got.
Bill

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Thank you for reminding me about the conversion factor, Bill.

I read the instruction manual thoroughly but did not see this conversion. I guess that's because this checker is a phosphorus checker and not a phosphate checker.

After Bill mentioned the conversion, I recalled reading about the need to multiply the result by 3.066 and divide by 1000 to get phosphate (PO4) value from phosphorus (P) value in ppb. So my PO4 value is actually 0.0214 ppm. I am going to replace my iron oxide media.

I will look into cleaning these cuvettes. The wet lab at my work checks PO4 levels with a spectrophotometer routinely. Their glass cuvettes looked very similar to mine.

My cuvette did not leak when I shook the reagent this time. I will check the 2nd cuvette later.

I am glad that I picked up a phosphorus checker instead of a phosphate checker despite the conversion that it requires. A phosphorus checker has a better accuracy in the low range.

Phosphate Checker:
Range: 0-2.5ppm, Resolution: 0.01ppm, Precision: +/-0.04ppm

Phosphorus Checker: (converted to Phosphate {/1000*3.066})
Range: 0-0.61ppm, Resolution: .0031ppm, Precision: +/-0.015ppm (+/- 5 ppb)

 

[wpecoul]

I will look into cleaning these cuvettes. The wet lab at my work checks PO4 levels with a spectrophotometer routinely. Their glass cuvettes looked very similar to mine.

My cuvette did not leak when I shook the reagent this time. I will check the 2nd cuvette later.

If those two black caps in your photo are the actual caps you use on the cuvettes in your tester, I wouldn't expect them to leak. Unfortunately, in the Hanna colorimeter our club bought, the cap style is different and it doesn't actually seem to seal completely when tightened down. Kind of stinks.

 

[iamwrasseman]

mine dont leak at all

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Unfortunately, in the Hanna colorimeter our club bought, the cap style is different and it doesn't actually seem to seal completely when tightened down. Kind of stinks.

I am sorry to hear that. Do you think that the place you guys bought it from or Hanna may be able to get the cuvette replaced?

 

[poolkeeper1]

Hanna has not offered much in the way of correcting any of the few issues involved with the Hanna Checkers. Like the Timer Shut offs or the Powder reagent verses the liquid one that is much easier to use, They have made excuses but not stood by the product and replaced the IMO faulty ones. This is just my thoughts on this but as an end consumer I'm disappointed in there lack of great customer service.
As an example i had a problem with one of my MP40's and Vortech sent me a new pump overnight with no question as to who's fault they just sent a brand new pump and upgraded it to the ES model that i did not even have! Now that's customer Service.
Hanna could take a few lessons from Vortech about customer satisfaction and Loyalty!
Bill

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I am sorry to hear about the poor customer support of Hanna.
I heard about the great customer support of Vortech. I wish their MP40's are a bit quieter, though. I would purchase one if it wasn't for the humming noise.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

wpecoul -

I just found this cuvette cleaner on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IKNJW0/ref=pe_11540_18828190_ae_img_a1_b-2/


Here's a good article on the accuracy and ease of use for the phosphorus checker:

http://************.com/2010/04/20/...s-still-worth-the-resolution-and-portability/

You need to substitute all the asterisks with reef builders to go to the site.

 

[wpecoul]

Thanks, Tomoko!

Do you happen to have any Tubbs Blue zoa frags right now? If so, please PM me.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I sent you a PM.

 

[gflat65]

I'd like one, too, when you have an extra.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Okay, Gary. I will keep you in mind when I frag it next time. That will be a little while though.