Questions on Hanna Phosphate Meter care/ use

Tigé21v · 05/06/2010, 05:41 AM

Just wondering if I am using this correctly.

How important is it to get every last bit of the reagent in the test vial, since it seems as if a good amount does not dissolve.

Instructions say to "shake gently". For how long? Define "gently". (The vial leaks even with the cap on.) Is it important to not have bubbles on the sides of the test vial?

Is it important to wipe the vial to remove fingerprints during testing? It seems as if this has caused big differences in my back-to-back readings.

Which reading of phosphate is the one I should be worried about? The initial reading from the meter, or one of the other two mentioned in the directions. (Both of the other two mentioned are determined by multiplying the meter reading by different factors.)

How, and with what should I wash/ rinse the test vial after testing?

cabrego · 05/06/2010, 06:23 AM

I just started using mine yesterday. First of all, you should read the intructions to make sure you are not missing any subtle points. For example, the instructions indicate that if you are expecting higher phosphate readings it is more important to get as much of the reagent as possible.

It does appear that the reagent does not completely dissolve. I poured the reagent in and shook for a total of about a 1min, I did shake viorously off and on. After a min there were still signs of the reagent, but soon after it appeared to dissolve. I think Hanna wants you to shake gently so the number of air bubbles is minimized (air bubble can affect the accuracy). If you swirl it around after shaking and let it sit for a few seconds all of the bubbles should disappear.

I found that it helps to use the extra vial as a dedicated 'zeroing' vial so time is not really an issue.

I never experienced a leaking vial. Did you use the plastic push in cap WITH the twist on cap, there are two types of caps for each vial?

There is only one reading from the vial so I am not sure about your question...

Make sure you are doing the procedure outline in the instructions correclty..

I screwed up the first time because I did not HOLD the button down until the timer started during the C2 step.

gl

05/06/2010, 05:41 AM	#1
Tigé21v Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: St. Charles, Mo. Posts: 1,369	Questions on Hanna Phosphate Meter care/ use Just wondering if I am using this correctly. How important is it to get every last bit of the reagent in the test vial, since it seems as if a good amount does not dissolve. Instructions say to "shake gently". For how long? Define "gently". (The vial leaks even with the cap on.) Is it important to not have bubbles on the sides of the test vial? Is it important to wipe the vial to remove fingerprints during testing? It seems as if this has caused big differences in my back-to-back readings. Which reading of phosphate is the one I should be worried about? The initial reading from the meter, or one of the other two mentioned in the directions. (Both of the other two mentioned are determined by multiplying the meter reading by different factors.) How, and with what should I wash/ rinse the test vial after testing?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hanna phosphate meter Question	cnaegler	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	2	08/24/2008 09:08 AM
Question for Hanna phosphate meter Users ?	mattliu	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	3	08/17/2007 10:00 PM
hanna phosphate meter - is it worth it?	dolt	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	14	05/05/2006 08:33 AM

05/06/2010, 06:23 AM	#2
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	I just started using mine yesterday. First of all, you should read the intructions to make sure you are not missing any subtle points. For example, the instructions indicate that if you are expecting higher phosphate readings it is more important to get as much of the reagent as possible. It does appear that the reagent does not completely dissolve. I poured the reagent in and shook for a total of about a 1min, I did shake viorously off and on. After a min there were still signs of the reagent, but soon after it appeared to dissolve. I think Hanna wants you to shake gently so the number of air bubbles is minimized (air bubble can affect the accuracy). If you swirl it around after shaking and let it sit for a few seconds all of the bubbles should disappear. I found that it helps to use the extra vial as a dedicated 'zeroing' vial so time is not really an issue. I never experienced a leaking vial. Did you use the plastic push in cap WITH the twist on cap, there are two types of caps for each vial? There is only one reading from the vial so I am not sure about your question... Make sure you are doing the procedure outline in the instructions correclty.. I screwed up the first time because I did not HOLD the button down until the timer started during the C2 step. gl