How common is it to get bad batches of reagents for Hannah checkers?

[kdx7214]

I've been having a lot of alkalinity problems in my tank. Or so I thought. I recently had to get more alk reagent and decided to do a little test. The reagent that came with the checker was a greenish color and showed an alk of 6.8 dkh. Immediately afterward I got clean equipment and tried the new reagent and got an alk of 10.3 dkh. Quite a difference. That led me to wonder about the calcium test. Similar problem. Old reagents showed calcium level of 323. New reagent showed 479.

So how often does this occur? Is there a more reliable solution other than ICP (which I can't afford)?

 

[javisaman]

The alk reagent expires rather quickly while opened. I've found that keeping it in the refrigerator and swirling it before every time I used it as prolonged its effectiveness. Otherwise, it starts to read really low.

 

[Klyle]

I quit using my Hanna Alk Checker over a year ago because of this same reason. Switched back to Salifert for Alk. I did hear keeping them refrigerated after opening helps but honestly, i like Salifert alk so much i could care less. Paper weight!!

 

[Klyle]

I've been having a lot of alkalinity problems in my tank. Or so I thought. I recently had to get more alk reagent and decided to do a little test. The reagent that came with the checker was a greenish color and showed an alk of 6.8 dkh. Immediately afterward I got clean equipment and tried the new reagent and got an alk of 10.3 dkh. Quite a difference. That led me to wonder about the calcium test. Similar problem. Old reagents showed calcium level of 323. New reagent showed 479.

So how often does this occur? Is there a more reliable solution other than ICP (which I can't afford)?

I highly recommend giving Salifert alk a try…it’s always been very consistent for me. The only color changing / chart reading kit i would recommend

 

[Miami Reef]

I like my Red Sea Alkalinity test kit.

I made a DIY Alkalinity standard and multiple bottles of the Red Sea Titration came about 0.1dKh apart. In my opinion, it is very accurate for our hobby grade needs.

 

[SoggyNW]

The alk reagent expires rather quickly while opened. I've found that keeping it in the refrigerator and swirling it before every time I used it as prolonged its effectiveness. Otherwise, it starts to read really low.

I don't see anywhere on the bottle or packaging that mentions this. Are we talking 2 weeks, an month,? I don't test often and I think my current bottle has been open for 4 months and now you have me a little worried.

 

[Reeferbadness]

For Hanna Alk regent, they also recommend not keeping the top off very long - as the air can then create globs of whatever in the regent. I swirl mine with every use also. Never any problems - 3 years +

 

[Klyle]

I don't see anywhere on the bottle or packaging that mentions this. Are we talking 2 weeks, an month,? I don't test often and I think my current bottle has been open for 4 months and now you have me a little worried.

I’ve literally bought three bottles of reagent at the same time, tested them all, and all were like 1/2 point off of each other…brand new bottles. No thanks.

 

[kdx7214]

I don't see anywhere on the bottle or packaging that mentions this. Are we talking 2 weeks, an month,? I don't test often and I think my current bottle has been open for 4 months and now you have me a little worried.

The original kit and the reagent were bought 2 months apart, so it might be an issue. No clue really, just what I experienced.

 

[kdx7214]

For Hanna Alk regent, they also recommend not keeping the top off very long - as the air can then create globs of whatever in the regent. I swirl mine with every use also. Never any problems - 3 years +

I keep it open as short a time as possible. I think it's more the one that ships with the checker is sitting on a shelf too long. Maybe. Not sure though.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I always swirl the liquid reagents for a minute before use. I also keep an eye on the expiration dates. Can't say I have ever had a problem.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

I've been having a lot of alkalinity problems in my tank. Or so I thought. I recently had to get more alk reagent and decided to do a little test. The reagent that came with the checker was a greenish color and showed an alk of 6.8 dkh. Immediately afterward I got clean equipment and tried the new reagent and got an alk of 10.3 dkh. Quite a difference. That led me to wonder about the calcium test. Similar problem. Old reagents showed calcium level of 323. New reagent showed 479.

So how often does this occur? Is there a more reliable solution other than ICP (which I can't afford)?

Never had problems with their alk reagents. But their nitrate reagents are completely defective over 50 percent of the time in my experience, their phosphate reagents are inconsistent many times, and their copper reagents lose accuracy over time. And their ph checker reagent is complete garbage. I have done extensive testing on all of this. So it is easily and almost certainly bad reagent.

 

[TankCandy]

I opened up a ticket with SaltWaterAquarium about a issue regarding the ALK reagents. they are sending out HI755S and saying its the same as HI772S (SaltwaterAquarium says: Hanna told us its the same..). I opened up 3 boxes just to confirm. 755S is consistency .8-.9 lower than the 772S's. I have to use a sharpie and write +.8 on all the 755S's.. Told SaltWaterAquarium that you got a lot of stick heads chasing the wrong numbers.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

Hanna does a much better job advertising than making reagents. It’s not that hard to ensure a batch of reagent is reading correctly. I have spent over a grand on hanna products, sadly have never been more disappointed. That being said, their alkalinity checker and reagent is the best product they make.

 

[Miami Reef]

Hanna does a much better job advertising than making reagents. It’s not that hard to ensure a batch of reagent is reading correctly. I have spent over a grand on hanna products, sadly have never been more disappointed. That being said, their alkalinity checker and reagent is the best product they make.

I believe their alkalinity test is one of the worst products they make. The reagent is unstable, plain, and simple. You need to refrigerate it, which they don’t even state in their instructions. The reefing community had to find that out.

Of all of the Hanna products, I think the Phosphate ULR PPM checker is their best, followed closely by the copper checker. I believe Hanna Checkers are overrated.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I opened up a ticket with SaltWaterAquarium about a issue regarding the ALK reagents. they are sending out HI755S and saying its the same as HI772S (SaltwaterAquarium says: Hanna told us its the same..). I opened up 3 boxes just to confirm. 755S is consistency .8-.9 lower than the 772S's. I have to use a sharpie and write +.8 on all the 755S's.. Told SaltWaterAquarium that you got a lot of stick heads chasing the wrong numbers.

I am a local Hanna dealer, and noticed that as well. I would get the alk reagent for the H1755 from saltwateraquarium.com when I ordered the one for the dkh checker. I reached out to @Hanna Instruments , and they told me the two reagent are NOT interchangable. I only order direct from Hanna now.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

I believe their alkalinity test is one of the worst products they make. The reagent is unstable, plain, and simple. You need to refrigerate it, which they don’t even state in their instructions. The reefing community had to find that out.

Of all of the Hanna products, I think the Phosphate ULR PPM checker is their best, followed closely by the copper checker. I believe Hanna Checkers are overrated.

I test alkalinity a lot, I have not had issue of it not being refrigerated. But I have never had a bottle opened more than 2 months. It gives consistent easy to read results for me. A new bottle could be .5 off from the next, I just note that when I get a new one.

I thought their copper was the best until I wasted months testing the copper level of an aquarium full of very well rinsed rock that had been used with copper. I spent hours rinsing and letting it sit in low ph water. For months this went on until I tested ro water and realized testing ro water gave me a copper level from .02 to .15. The reagent was fairly old. Then sent of icp testing to find the hanna checker had just wasted my time and effort. A common theme with hanna checkers.

As for the ultra low phosphate, test the same water 10 times in a row and record your results. Mine vary from 0.0 to 0.2 depending on the reagent. Some batches are not too bad, none are all that consistent.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

If anybody has a hanna ph checker, do yourself a favor and throw it away. Seriously, one of the worst products ever made. Their reagents are insanely inconsistent to the point that one could tell you your ph is super low and the next will blink 8.6 maxed out.

 

[Miami Reef]

I thought their copper was the best until I wasted months testing the copper level of an aquarium full of very well rinsed rock that had been used with copper. I spent hours rinsing and letting it sit in low ph water. For months this went on until I tested ro water and realized testing ro water gave me a copper level from .02 to .15. The reagent was fairly old. Then sent of icp testing to find the hanna checker had just wasted my time and effort. A common theme with hanna checkers.

Are you serious? Are you aware that the Hanna Copper HR is used for High Range only? It will not be able to discern low levels, which is expected with that checker.

It’s like judging a fish’s ability to climb a tree. It’s an unfair judgment.

 

[Lionfish hunter]

Are you serious? Are you aware that the Hanna Copper HR is used for High Range only? It will not be able to discern low levels, which is expected with that checker.

It’s like judging a fish’s ability to climb a tree. It’s an unfair judgment.

Sorry it has been years. but the reading was substantial, something like 1/3 of a full dose of copper power in rodi water.