Thoughts on Hanna Alkalinity Checker?

Sparky312

Sparky312

Member
Like the title says, what do you guys think of this checker? Looking to move a step up from API which I currently use

I saw one for sale that is 2 years old, does the reagent expire? if I bought it new would it be a better/updated model or is it the same?

THANKS!!
 
They are a good step up from API, no doubt. The reagents do expire. I don't know if they've change the meters since release, i didn't see a revision mark on any of the ones I used in the past.
 
Love the Hanna Alk checker...used it for almost 4 years with no problem...yes reagent do expired.
 
great checker reagent do expire. However, with this checker it is so easy you don't have the problem of the reagent getting old instead you have to order more reagent because you use it frequently since it is so painless to use.
works great and easy.
 
Hanna checkers r good but when I had mine they didn't give me consistent readings. Also I felt it took longer to test then with my salifert. Plus the reagent finishes quick. When ur trying to setup a doser. I did sell mine for that reason. It's not that it's a bad test kit it's just that they were a pain to use sometimes.
 
I used mine for two years and all of the sudden, my reagent went bad and I started getting really low readings. I thought my alk was actually low and overcompensated. I go through a lot of reagent and this one wasn't very old. A lot of people on R2R have have a similar experience with the reagent from a few particular lot numbers. I like the Hannah checkers, but I recently lost faith in the accuracy. I still mostly use my Hannah, but if a get any kind swing, I double check with my Salifert. Also, the sailfert test doesn't take much more time or effort.
 
Sawdonkey said:
I used mine for two years and all of the sudden, my reagent went bad and I started getting really low readings. I thought my alk was actually low and overcompensated. I go through a lot of reagent and this one wasn't very old. A lot of people on R2R have have a similar experience with the reagent from a few particular lot numbers. I like the Hannah checkers, but I recently lost faith in the accuracy. I still mostly use my Hannah, but if a get any kind swing, I double check with my Salifert. Also, the sailfert test doesn't take much more time or effort.
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Wow I see the salifert is like a third of the price too- so you'd recommend that one over Hanna?
 
Sparky312 said:
Wow I see the salifert is like a third of the price too- so you'd recommend that one over Hanna?
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I wouldn't necessarily say that. I loved the Hannah for over two years until I got a bad batch of reagent and lost faith in it. After I use it for a while more with no errors , I'll trust it again.

The reagent refills are only like $8 or so, so over the long run, if you use it a lot, the Hanna might be cheaper.
 
Sawdonkey said:
I wouldn't necessarily say that. I loved the Hannah for over two years until I got a bad batch of reagent and lost faith in it. After I use it for a while more with no errors , I'll trust it again.

The reagent refills are only like $8 or so, so over the long run, if you use it a lot, the Hanna might be cheaper.
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Yea i love mine but always have two test bottles they seem only last few months after opening . They also sell calibration test to check em
 
I have 2 alk test kits. Red Sea and Hannah. I use red sea for quick use and Hannah for accurate use. Can go wrong with salifert test kits they are usually pretty accurate.
 
Hm so each one has its fans and each one has its detractors.

I'll keep an eye out for a Hanna if I can score one at a good used price. Just tested with my API kits and got 8.5 kH and 460 cal which is where they have been for months. Really have no reason to believe those numbers are substantially off, so I think for me right now I'm gonna file this one under, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and keep on with what I've got

Thanks to everybody for your input I definitely appreciate it!!
 
I just got one few weeks ago - i'm new to testing and saltwater love it so far its super easy compared to api, and salifert tests the $9 reagent does expire in a year though. Make sure to remove fingerprints on the test tube if you have issues with accuracy! I'm debating about getting a Hanna for phosphate or not - what do you guys use?
 
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I use a salifert alk kit for day to day testing. In my opinion precision is more important than accuracy. So, when I'm testing ever other day I'm more concerned with consistency than chasing a specific value as long as my coral are looking good. I'll do an accuracy check every now and then with a spectrophotometer at work (perks of being a chemist).

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
FYI, Hannah is now admitting fault with their alk reagents. They've set up a website where you can check your batch number.
 
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