Alkalinity and Calc Hanna Checkers

[Jewel]

So I bought a tank last year and I got all the Hanna Checkers , I was familiar with the Phosphate checker so that's cool but the Calc and the Alk. checkers don't come with directions I'm not sure that every thing is included, I've tried to search on the net but to no avail, I'd like to know whats included in each and how to use them  Thanks

 

[Salty Cracker]

Both come with instructions, did you check under the plastic insert?  The calc one is impossible to use without instructions, and the alk is almost impossible.  I'm sure we can scan them in if you really don't have them (there should be a plastic coated card and a folded paper instruction page).  I know when I got my phos checker here in town someone had 'borrowed' the battery and a couple of reagents.  I suggested to hanna that they start wrapping their damn checkers)

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

there is a youtube video of the calcium checker

 

[BIGSHOW]

The instructions all over the net.  Marinedepot and BRS I believe both have clips on the net.

Even that fantastic Mr. Saltwater has instructions.

 

[jroovers]

Both come with instructions, did you check under the plastic insert?  The calc one is impossible to use without instructions, and the alk is almost impossible.  I'm sure we can scan them in if you really don't have them (there should be a plastic coated card and a folded paper instruction page).  I know when I got my phos checker here in town someone had 'borrowed' the battery and a couple of reagents.  I suggested to hanna that they start wrapping their damn checkers)

I have the alkalinity one, I think it is pretty easy to use?  Press the button with it empty, wait until it blinks C1.  Then add a cuvette of tank water, press the button again and wait until it blinks C2 (this 0's the meter).  Add 1 ml of solution to the cuvette, invert 5 times, replace, and press the button - you then get your reading - multiply by 0.056 to get your dkh. 

 

[BIGSHOW]

[quote author=Salty Cracker link=topic=6741.msg66928#msg66928 date=1383632857]
Both come with instructions, did you check under the plastic insert?  The calc one is impossible to use without instructions, and the alk is almost impossible.  I'm sure we can scan them in if you really don't have them (there should be a plastic coated card and a folded paper instruction page).  I know when I got my phos checker here in town someone had 'borrowed' the battery and a couple of reagents.  I suggested to hanna that they start wrapping their damn checkers)

I have the alkalinity one, I think it is pretty easy to use?  Press the button with it empty, wait until it blinks C1.  Then add a cuvette of tank water, press the button again and wait until it blinks C2 (this 0's the meter).  Add 1 ml of solution to the cuvette, invert 5 times, replace, and press the button - you then get your reading - multiply by 0.056 to get your dkh.
[/quote]

Exactly how its done.  I find the Alk pretty easy and accurate.  The calc is a waste of money. 

 

[jroovers]

I find the Alk pretty easy and accurate.  The calc is a waste of money. 

I won't bother getting it then.  I find the Salifert kit pretty easy to use for calcium anyway. 

 

[BIGSHOW]

[quote author=BIGSHOW link=topic=6741.msg66943#msg66943 date=1383658516]
I find the Alk pretty easy and accurate.  The calc is a waste of money. 

I won't bother getting it then.  I find the Salifert kit pretty easy to use for calcium anyway.
[/quote]

If you want to try the Calc checker. I would give you mine.  Not sure its worth the drive, but I don't use it.

 

[BIGSHOW]

..of course if you do come down, you might as well bring your camera  ;D

 

[jroovers]

..of course if you do come down, you might as well bring your camera  ;D

I think the Salifert kit will do for the time being, but thanks for the offer.  I do have to make the trip your way for one reason or another sometime soon.  Maybe over the Christmas holidays if you are around?  I've almost convinced myself that I need a frag of orange passion.  If I do make it, I'll def bring my camera. 

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

the hanna calcium is good dor the garbage can

 

[Jewel]

So the Calc. Checker is no good, That settles that, The Alk? is it trustworthy. You know it doesn't matter anyway I just keep seeing these Checkers staring me in the face. Saying use me or sell me. LOL

 

[unibob]

So the Calc. Checker is no good, That settles that, The Alk? is it trustworthy. You know it doesn't matter anyway I just keep seeing these Checkers staring me in the face. Saying use me or sell me. LOL

IMO and experience the hanna alk, phosphate and phosphorous are all easy, quick to do test and accurate.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Yeah I have the calc one and generally use a salifert instead.  I should sell it on ebay to an unsuspecting fool!  Bwahahahahahaa!

 

[Reef Hero]

My only complaint about the hanna phosphate checker and the ulr phospgorous checker is that the small bit of reagent powder in that pouch is a bit of a joke..... seems like the worst possible packaging solution imo. Salifert kits just give you a container of powder and then the proper sized spoon for each. Seems to me like this is something hanna may want to consider in the future.

 

[Salty Cracker]

My only complaint about the hanna phosphate checker and the ulr phospgorous checker is that the small bit of reagent powder in that pouch is a bit of a joke..... seems like the worst possible packaging solution imo. Salifert kits just give you a container of powder and then the proper sized spoon for each. Seems to me like this is something hanna may want to consider in the future.

The hanna rep countered this, saying that the checkers need to have exactly a certain amount of reagent (minus residue left on the pouch) and that spoons were inherently bad for sampling (you can compress powder, there can be an air pocket, some people do them flush with top, some people do "heaping" spoonfuls etc). 

I'm not a big fan of the packets, but I understand why they did it.  I wouldn't mind a liquid reagent either, but evidently it's not an option.  He said these were based on their upper-end clinical lines or something like that. This came in a conversation about just how bad the calc tests seemed. He said that measuring calc in with all the other elements in sea water is really hard to do