Hanna Checker Alk

[BaaMNYC]

This will probably be the reason why my forehead will have a sticker that says ***** but...

I just purchased a hanna checker for alk. I believe i followed the instructions correctly. filled the curvette to 10ml where the bottom of the curve is to the line. pressed the button waited for it to say press c.1 pressed the button it said c.i2 then added the solution where the plunger is at .01 which means that it has 1 Ml injected it into the curvette turned it over 5 times then put it in the checker and closed it and pressed the button again. and it read 84!!!! That reads 4.6DKH. how is that possible all my fish and corals would be dead.

Yes i have sps and they are all doing great! What am I doing wrong?

 

[Tonyscoots84]

don't use it buy a red sea pro test kit....

 

[BaaMNYC]

i have a red sea pro test kit. the color change is so faint, i never know when to stop

 

[TommyP]

i have a red sea pro test kit. the color change is so faint, i never know when to stop

I agree with you on this one. I just bought the Hanna checker for calcium, it was a smidge confusing as well.

i don't have the alk one, but plan to get it so following along for this.

 

[lnevo]

I just got the same...but i think you need to go to the 0 mark (past the .1ml) to get a full ml. So you didnt dose enough solution in my mind. My last test with rsp was 8.1 and with the hanna was 7.4. I'm going to do the test again soon since i just did a water change and this time with both tests.

Once the color changes with the rsp its done.

 

[BaaMNYC]

im going to test it again today and then test water from my DT at home also. forgot to bring it home last night.

 

[46nBliss]

I just got the same...but i think you need to go to the 0 mark (past the .1ml) to get a full ml. So you didnt dose enough solution in my mind. My last test with rsp was 8.1 and with the hanna was 7.4. I'm going to do the test again soon since i just did a water change and this time with both tests.

Once the color changes with the rsp its done.

+1
This checker is great btw no guessing when the color has reached an endpoint. Very consistant.

 

[whispers]

I use Hanna alk works great for me

 

[BaaMNYC]

nope double checked. according to this my 45G oceanic only has an alk of 4.6! I think its time to start dosing alk hahaha. I dont know how anything is still alive in there

 

[lnevo]

Theres a really good article that shows how even a little bit of alk/ca consumption can NOT be fully replaced to keep level by WC alone. So yeah, i think its time to dose. I suggest testing a fresh batch of water and then test your tank again to see the effect. Then time to start dosing and measuring your consumption.

Good luck. Check my low alk thread in the Chemistry forum to see how I dealt with it.

 

[whispers]

Maybe you got a bad one send it back for an exchange

 

[BAD FISH]

yeah Hanna is usually directly on point I mean they are more in the business of testing water levels of pollution and drinking water where these readings need to be a accurate

 

[46nBliss]

wait before you dose! test againts a fresh batch of saltwater where you would know the alk would be perfect..

 

[BaaMNYC]

wait before you dose! test againts a fresh batch of saltwater where you would know the alk would be perfect..

Good idea. im going to bring it home test fresh saltwater and my DT at home and see what the results are.

 

[TommyP]

I tested last night with my calc hanna tester and got 530. Is this possible? I would think with all the corals I have it would be low. I use instant ocean reef crystals. Only did a 5 gallon water change last thursday. (75 DT)

 

[BaaMNYC]

i just tested my saltwater in my trash can. it read only 84 also. I have no idea whats going on. maybe its because i have it covered and its been made a while ago?

 

[lnevo]

No way. Something wrong with the checker 100%

 

[Tonyscoots84]

arg i hate test kits.... All of them!

 

[piranhapat]

If its the same model I have. Light has a lot to do with reading from meter.

 

[piranhapat]

Also when you get to learn how to read from the meter. Another way unofficial is by color after you add the solution. A dark green is higher Alk level. Where light tint green you are low in Alk.