Confused

Steve Dillon · Mar 11, 2016

I have a red sea calcium test kit.. I just bought a Hanna checker calcium tester.. the red sea results are 375 the hanna checker results its 456. Thats a huge difference. Any ideas? I know its in tge private side dont want the thousands of pm..

Joeganja · Mar 11, 2016

Steve Dillon said:
I have a red sea calcium test kit.. I just bought a Hanna checker calcium tester.. the red sea results are 375 the hanna checker results its 456. Thats a huge difference. Any ideas? I know its in tge private side dont want the thousands of pm..

I have the same idea. I even emailed Hannah instruments and they were like you gotta calibrate it. I told them I did. I would choose the Red Sea over something technological. If you know what I mean? I go by the red seas. The checkers are very sensitive

jamie callard · Mar 11, 2016

Get a third test kit see what one is closer

cee · Mar 11, 2016

I posted a comparison somewhere on here awhile back.

aaron23 · Mar 11, 2016

i've had the hanna read 100 over the actual result. hanna meters suck.

Steve Dillon · Mar 11, 2016

Im going to take a sample to have tested at lfs. I find it hard to believe that its off that much for the price..

BlueDevil · Mar 11, 2016

I've heard a lot about inconsistencies with the Hanna CA meters too. The Phosphate meters are spot on though.

Steve Dillon · Mar 11, 2016

I guess its just money wasted..

DeniseAndy · Mar 11, 2016

The calcium meters are accurate if done very precisely. The syringe you get is not really precise enough. Seriously. I use it, but always back up with an ELOS test to double check. You need a smaller syringe to get the true .1 that you need.

BlueDevil · Mar 11, 2016

If you have to double check the results doesn't that defeat the purpose of trying to find an accurate test kit. @DeniseAndy - this isn't pointed at you or criticizing you. Just a rhetorical question.

Steve Dillon · Mar 11, 2016

I washed out the white syringe and got today's results yesterday it was 570ish. I take really good care of my tanks I just dont think its down in the 300's.

BlueDevil · Mar 11, 2016

Steve - I know you're planning on doing this already. But taking a water sample to the LFS is probably your best bet. That way a third party tests it to compare against your results.

DeniseAndy · Mar 11, 2016

Oh, yes. Very defeating. I got the ELOS because of the Hanna being so unreliable. I love it for phosphate and alk though. I just do it if I feel like it. Otherwise I stick with the ELOS. Depends on time and desire.

Then again, I would have to test more to really have a clue.

DeniseAndy · Mar 11, 2016

Let me correct myself. That was sarcasm since I used to test a lot when I first started and for years after. Now, I can gauge things differently and do not rely on taking readings all the time.

Steve Dillon · Mar 11, 2016

I wanted it just to be quicker to adjust nsw but it seems its not a plan I can stick too.. im going to lfs and maybe they can tell me if the red sea is right.. just dont see how it could be..