[Anon]

Hi Folks,

Does anyone use any of the Hanna Instruments Checkers? These small instruments are for testing a selection of water parameters. They eliminate the need for colour matching against a chart. Technically, they are known as photometers and can measure phosphate, iron, nitrite, copper, ammonia, etc. Accuracy is much better than test strips and liquid reagent tests. They are significantly more expensive than 'run of the mill' aquarium test kits. I am giving serious consideration to buying a couple of these. Any feedback would be very welcome.

I did notice that a thread was started many years ago on this very topic but the OP received no replies. I'm hoping for more success!

Anon

 

[Deanna]

I use the low-range PO4 colorimeter, which is good up to 3ppm. Above 3ppm, dilute 5:1 with RO or distilled water, then multiply result by 5. I also use the alkalinity (KH) colorimeter. Both are definitely able to provide more precision than the typical hobby-grade reagent tests we use ...if such precision is desired.

Coincidentally, there is a promising discussion, regarding the SW nitrate colorimeter, going on here: NO3 Hanna Colorimeter

 

[Anon]

I use the low-range PO4 colorimeter, which is good up to 3ppm. Above 3ppm, dilute 5:1 with RO or distilled water, then multiply result by 5. I also use the alkalinity (KH) colorimeter. Both are definitely able to provide more precision than the typical hobby-grade reagent tests we use ...if such precision is desired.

Coincidentally, there is a promising discussion, regarding the SW nitrate colorimeter, going on here: NO3 Hanna Colorimeter

Hi @Deanna

Many thanks for your reply.

The LR PO4 meter (HI-713) is very much of interest to me - so it's good to get your valued feedback. I'm also very interested in the LR Iron. And I'll now take a look at the NO3 link.

Anon

 

[Bootsy]

I have the ammonia and alk checkers. The ammonia is especially better thank the API, which can be maddeningly difficult to interpret at low range.

Would definitely recommend as reasonably priced digital measuring tools and will probably pick up a few more.

 

[Anon]

I have the ammonia and alk checkers. The ammonia is especially better thank the API, which can be maddeningly difficult to interpret at low range.

Would definitely recommend as reasonably priced digital measuring tools and will probably pick up a few more.

Hi @Bootsy

Thanks for the feedback.

I assume you have the ammonia low range meter, HI-700? What is the lowest ammonia reading that you can reliably measure? I see that the HI-700 displays NH3-N. So, this would need to be multiplied by 1.22 to convert to NH3. No big deal. Regarding the alkalinity checker, this isn't listed on the Hanna Instruments UK site. But, I use a Tropic Marin KH/alkalinity kit, which is fine.

Anon

 

[Bootsy]

Sorry, I didn’t see this earlier. The lowest non-zero level I’ve seen is 0.3642 (0.3 reading on the checker x 1.214 per mfr instructions). This was in a 5-gallon bucket I’m using to cycle some media.

 

[jake21]

Does anyone know if their nitrate meter is any good and if these electronic meters need to be constantly recalibrated ?