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HI772 Alkalinity Checker Reagent inconsistencies (1 Viewer)

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RR-MAN

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I have been noticing inconsistencies with the Hanna reagent. I buy at least two bottles at a time for comparison purposes.

One reagent tested 7.5 DKH while the other 7.8 DKH. I wasn’t sure which was one accurate so tested again with salifert which came up with 7.8 DKH.


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Alex77619

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I had this experience too so I went away from Hanna.

I now use KHG for testing and controlling
ddcd4e70fc880bf6fdb4a101449ef2e7.jpg


Will also auto dose


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RR-MAN

RR-MAN

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Yea, after the first bottle on mine, I quit using it. The salifert test is much easier, accurate, and quicker imo.

I have been using Salifert for the past 15 years, liking the accuracy but hate the testing process. I prefer Hanna. I like the digital read.

Since I have all apex I need to just order a trident soon.
 

Alex77619

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I have been using Salifert for the past 15 years, liking the accuracy but hate the testing process. I prefer Hanna. I like the digital read.

Since I have all apex I need to just order a trident soon.

KHG talks to apex with no issues

And it’s only 325$

c824f255b42001eaa8fa9fa631e0fc61.jpg




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RR-MAN

RR-MAN

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^^^That's awesome! I'm sure it works great but Coralvue pisssed me off over another issue so will not invest in them ever again. :nono:

Plus got all my apex gear 2 years ago and no issues thus far....buddies have tridents and love it.
 

Alex77619

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^^^That's awesome! I'm sure it works great but Coralvue pisssed me off over another issue so will not invest in them ever again. :nono:

Plus got all my apex gear 2 years ago and no issues thus far....buddies have tridents and love it.

I no longer letting cv sell my KHG :)


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steveb

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I have been noticing inconsistencies with the Hanna reagent. I buy at least two bottles at a time for comparison purposes.

One reagent tested 7.5 DKH while the other 7.8 DKH. I wasn’t sure which was one accurate so tested again with salifert which came up with 7.8 DKH.


96f19c0f81df32025cdd766fc2bb95f1.jpg


That's probably in the error range. Also why I use the PPM Alk checker I feel it provides more granularity. I tend to watch for trends vs. actual value. That is I have a target value I try to maintain and adjust dosing up/down based on where the tests fall over a few days.
 
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I have never had an issue with mine. I always check it against Salifert when starting a new bottle of reagent and it's been pretty much always spot on. Now I do clean the vials with denatured alcohol weekly, and rinse with RO/DI before and after each use. So that may also have something to do with it.

As for the difference between the dkh and ppm meters, they are the same. They both use the same reagent, just one gives the reading in ppm where the other converts to dkh.
 
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You're absolutely right, it does occur, it's not a straight 1:1 conversion. You also have to take into account for the accuracy level of the testing equipment. In this case the Hanna meters are +/- 5% or 3ppm / 0.3 dkh at 77F. There could be any number of factors that could lead to the kind of variance like the one RR-Man is seeing, but the difference he's seeing is technically within the range or error for the meter. Another thing to consider is the resolution of the test methods. Hanna units boast a 1ppm / 0.1 dkh resolution, compared to Salifert's 0.5 dkh. Also with Salifert it is entirely dependent on our ability to accurately determine the color change is complete. So I may observe the color shift as complete where someone else may need to add another drop or more reagent to come to the same conclusion. This also leads to possible inconsistencies between the two types of testing methods.

For me the bottom line is use what ever method works best for you so you can keep the parameters in your tank stable and don't fret about chasing a number. All it will do is lead to stressing you out worrying that the alk is 0.4 dkh off where you think it should be.
 
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Each bottle is typically off by a small amount. IMO it only matters when you finish one bottle and start the new bottle. Otherwise, they are spot on in the sense of catching fluctuations. I can perform 10 test with the same bottle and only have a 0.1 deviation if that.

I find the new bottles to be off by about 0.2 to 0.5. After you get the new reading...you’re good to go.

For me the 0.5 difference between bottles is not a big deal as long as I know I’m not fluctuating more than 0.5 in 24 hours. So when I use the last mL of the old bottle I test the new bottle at the same time to know the difference between the old & new bottle.
 

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For somewhat color blind people like me the Hanna tester is a lifesaver. Maybe one day I will be able to get an automated tested but not yet.
 

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I have had the same problem with hanna alk tester. First bottle of regent that came with tester was dead on, bragged how good it was.
Second bottle my first reading on both reef systems was really low. again the next day really low so doulble checked with my Salifert kit.
Salifert 9.2,,, hanna 7.2 they seem to have a real problem with consistency.
 
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I have done like 1,000,000 Hanna Alk tests. I have very little problems with consistency. Only a small deviation from bottle to bottle. The number is never off by more than 0.5 dKH.

If you think about it...the "perfect number itself" really doesn't matter. For example... 8.0 or 8.5 dKH really doesn't matter. The tank fluctuation is what really matters. I test every night about 8pm.

If you test and it's 8.0 dKH on Monday night and test again Tuesday night and it's 9.0 or 7.0 dKH…this is when you should get concerned. A batch to batch 0.2-0.5 deviation only frustrates you on the last test of the old bottle and first test of the new bottle. After you get the new number...which may be 0.2-0.5 off from the old number it will not deviate from there unless your tank is growing, being over-dosed, being under-dosed, or you're not swirling the bottle. If you don't swirl the bottle a little before each test you will get weird readings at the end of the bottle because with anything....stuff settles out on the bottom. I like to tank the tip of the syringe and give it a quick swirl or two before I aspirate the reagent.

Now...if you're like @Cody and test at 7am one day and test at 6pm the following day and wonder why you're dKH is off by 0.8....I'm sorry....I can't help you. :geek:

All BS aside....Hanna is quick, simple, and accurate. I trust my tank with it all day. Same with the Hanna ULR, Copper tester, and Salinity Pen.
 

Cody

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I have done like 1,000,000 Hanna Alk tests. I have very little problems with consistency. Only a small deviation from bottle to bottle. The number is never off by more than 0.5 dKH.

If you think about it...the "perfect number itself" really doesn't matter. For example... 8.0 or 8.5 dKH really doesn't matter. The tank fluctuation is what really matters. I test every night about 8pm.

If you test and it's 8.0 dKH on Monday night and test again Tuesday night and it's 9.0 or 7.0 dKH…this is when you should get concerned. A batch to batch 0.2-0.5 deviation only frustrates you on the last test of the old bottle and first test of the new bottle. After you get the new number...which may be 0.2-0.5 off from the old number it will not deviate from there unless your tank is growing, being over-dosed, being under-dosed, or you're not swirling the bottle. If you don't swirl the bottle a little before each test you will get weird readings at the end of the bottle because with anything....stuff settles out on the bottom. I like to tank the tip of the syringe and give it a quick swirl or two before I aspirate the reagent.

Now...if you're like @Cody and test at 7am one day and test at 6pm the following day and wonder why you're dKH is off by 0.8....I'm sorry....I can't help you. :geek:

All BS aside....Hanna is quick, simple, and accurate. I trust my tank with it all day. Same with the Hanna ULR, Copper tester, and Salinity Pen.
Hey, I've been keeping to 10pm since the carx was put into place. Get your facts straight :p
 

Cody

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How is the reactor going? Mine will arrive Tuesday.
Got it more or less tamed, just tweeking it to get it running flat. I had the innitial dialing in, plus I added another 6 pounds of media, etc. Got all the variables dialed in except flow, which should be settled in the next 24-48 hours. Which one did you go with instead of contacting me to save you a couple hundred dollars for a plastic chamber that has a closed loop?
 
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Got it more or less tamed, just tweeking it to get it running flat. I had the innitial dialing in, plus I added another 6 pounds of media, etc. Got all the variables dialed in except flow, which should be settled in the next 24-48 hours. Which one did you go with instead of contacting me to save you a couple hundred dollars for a plastic chamber that has a closed loop?

Nice! Yeah they take a little tweaking initially.

HaHa...I bought a Geo 618. I'll never go bigger than a 120/G which will be my next and FINAL BUILD. Not until I move into a house though or back to a 1st floor Apartment. It's very difficult for me to want to buy a house and pay that 8-10k tax every year along with all the yard maintenance and other expenses. I currently don't have to mow grass or fix anything, and my pool is maintained for free. :)
 
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