Any comparisons or opinions of the Hanna Calcium checker?

AkaSlyGuy · 08/02/2011, 07:22 PM

Anyone compared them to other tests or have opinions of the new checker? I would love for this to be a reliable checker.

Joe

bertoni · 08/02/2011, 10:22 PM

Do you mean the PinPoint unit? I haven't heard of the Hanna calcium checker yet.

naterealbig · 08/02/2011, 10:55 PM

Here: http://hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?...dCode=HI%20758

dowtish · 08/03/2011, 12:23 PM

I just got mine today, and it is accurate compared to Salifert and Red Sea Pro. It does have a couple more steps than the other checkers though.

vitodog · 08/03/2011, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dowtish

I just got mine today, and it is accurate compared to Salifert and Red Sea Pro. It does have a couple more steps than the other checkers though.

dowtish, would you mind telling me where you purchased/ordered your Hanna Checker for Ca? Every place I looked said "Not yet available". Thank you.

dowtish · 08/03/2011, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitodog

dowtish, would you mind telling me where you purchased/ordered your Hanna Checker for Ca? Every place I looked said "Not yet available". Thank you.

http://www.ecrater.com/p/11639227/hi...alcium-checker

dowtish · 08/03/2011, 05:21 PM

this was a pre order at the time...it took about 3 weeks to be shipped. They might have them in stock now.

bayoupr · 08/03/2011, 05:38 PM

PA has them in stock now. I ordered one Mon and will be at my house tomorrow.

bertoni · 08/03/2011, 09:42 PM

Looks interesting! I'm looking forward to some reviews.

Want2BS8ed · 08/03/2011, 09:58 PM

Hmmm... www.hannachecker.com was running 2 weeks behind when I ordered mine last week. As of today they are "not available."

bayoupr · 08/04/2011, 06:17 AM

Unless PA already sold out mine will be here today and I only ordered a few days ago.

AkaSlyGuy · 08/04/2011, 03:18 PM

Ok, the truth is I already had my checker when I posted this, but I was wanting to see what others thought of it because I did not think mine was reading right at first. But come to find out the problem was with me

I had forgotten from a long time ago in chemistry class that when reading the water level in a tube, such as the one that comes with the kit, that you read from the bottom of the curve (meniscus) of the water. I was reading the top of the water, not the bottom of the curve (which is actually the water level). Hope that makes sense to someone. So after that...here were my results:

Salifert Ca = 430
New Red Sea Pro Ca = 430
Hanna Ca Checker = 426

That is accurate enough for me when you figure in that all those test have a +/- associated with it. I am happy with it. The test was easy. You just have to be careful when it asks for a sample of RO/DI water and then a sample of tank water. After doing a few tests with it you will not need the laminated instruction card, but it is a nice addition. They included a cheap pipette to add the RO/DI water with. You may have a larger 10ml syringe laying around that would work better. Glad I bought 4 refills for this checker. I used several while I was doing it wrong. The kit comes with 25 tests, and the refills have 30.

Joe

Want2BS8ed · 08/04/2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Want2BS8ed

Hmmm... www.hannachecker.com was running 2 weeks behind when I ordered mine last week. As of today they are "not available."

Under promise and over deliver! Hanna shipped the calcium checker today!!

Just2Many · 08/04/2011, 07:36 PM

I've been waiting to see and maybe order myself.... Will be watching?

edandsandy · 08/05/2011, 06:34 AM

Subscribed.
I'm interested as well....

Anyone have the Hanna alkalinity meter?

fishysteve · 08/05/2011, 10:25 AM

I have the Alk checker. Just as accurate as LaMotte and Salifert test kits.

CJO · 08/05/2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dowtish

I just got mine today, and it is accurate compared to Salifert and Red Sea Pro. It does have a couple more steps than the other checkers though.

Does that mean it's harder to use?

Thanks,
CJ

AkaSlyGuy · 08/05/2011, 11:06 PM

Not to answer for dowtish, but the extra couple of steps really do not make it harder at all. Just a couple of extra steps that probably take an extra 25 seconds to complete. I like it and I just went ahead and ordered the Alkalinity checker too.

Joe

Want2BS8ed · 08/06/2011, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishysteve

I have the Alk checker. Just as accurate as LaMotte and Salifert test kits.

+1 and it's easier to use IME. Looking forward to getting the Calcium checker.

hionreef · 08/06/2011, 07:26 PM

i just got my Ca checker (SoCal tropical) - so my "old" salifert test was stating around 450ppm. tried the new checker and at first it just read 600. so i thought i would test just plain DI and it read 200 (ie under 200 since it only reads 200-600). I tried another batch of reagents (i bought 2 extra and they are different batches) and it read the same. i tried to half the test (only use .05 ml of tank water) and i got a reading of 460ppm - is it even possible to have 800-900ppm in the tank - alk is around 8 (using hanna alk checker). every thing seems to be doing okay (misc lps, lps etc.) sp gr is 1.026

hionreef · 08/06/2011, 07:57 PM

figured it out - tried the same test on new saltwater and got same results - what i thought was DI wasnt quite as pure as i thought - tried 2 different sources too. after getting better DI reading from new salt mix was 550 and tank was 425 - thats closer to what i expected.

solitude127 · 08/06/2011, 08:53 PM

Got mine today from SoCal Tropical Fish and it's pretty neat. I got to replace my salifert test. My CA as been reading in the 450s for salifert and with Hanna it was reading 454. I'm happy. I also go the alk checker too. This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier than trying to compare colors. I compared to my ELOS alk test and I got 8.5 on ELOS and 8.46 on the Hanna checker. For the Alk, you do have to do a some calculations to get the kH value.

cediss · 08/07/2011, 12:21 AM

I got mine earlier this week. Keeps reading 600 (2 tests). I'll have to get some purer DI to be sure this thing is working. Over all fairly easy to use. If I get values that are accurate I'll be fairly happy. Refills $20 isn't exactly economical for 25 tests.

tmeade · 08/07/2011, 04:45 PM

I just received mine yesterday and performed 2 tests today. Both with a reading of 600. I saw quite a few posts where others were stating a reading of 600 also. Any suggestions for getting an accurate reading? I really like this test compared to the old drop by drop method but I'm not going to be satisfied for long if I can't get an accurate reading.

BigKahuna · 08/07/2011, 08:05 PM

Can you use distilled H2O instead of DI to be sure there isn't much in the water?

08/02/2011, 07:22 PM	#1
AkaSlyGuy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Texas/Arkansas Posts: 295	Any comparisons or opinions of the Hanna Calcium checker? Anyone compared them to other tests or have opinions of the new checker? I would love for this to be a reliable checker. Joe

08/02/2011, 10:22 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Do you mean the PinPoint unit? I haven't heard of the Hanna calcium checker yet. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/02/2011, 10:55 PM	#3
naterealbig Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,252	Here: http://hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?...dCode=HI%20758 __________________ My skimmate has notes of saffron, and a hint of lilac.

08/03/2011, 12:23 PM	#4
dowtish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 886	I just got mine today, and it is accurate compared to Salifert and Red Sea Pro. It does have a couple more steps than the other checkers though. __________________ Sexy Sticks consume my thoughts. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2339384

08/03/2011, 05:21 PM	#7
dowtish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 886	this was a pre order at the time...it took about 3 weeks to be shipped. They might have them in stock now. __________________ Sexy Sticks consume my thoughts. Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2339384

08/03/2011, 05:38 PM	#8
bayoupr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,308	PA has them in stock now. I ordered one Mon and will be at my house tomorrow.

08/03/2011, 09:42 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Looks interesting! I'm looking forward to some reviews. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/03/2011, 09:58 PM	#10
Want2BS8ed Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 152	Hmmm... www.hannachecker.com was running 2 weeks behind when I ordered mine last week. As of today they are "not available." __________________ Mike "Just get me to the airport put me on a plane" - The Ramones

08/04/2011, 06:17 AM	#11
bayoupr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,308	Unless PA already sold out mine will be here today and I only ordered a few days ago.

08/04/2011, 03:18 PM	#12
AkaSlyGuy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Texas/Arkansas Posts: 295	Ok, the truth is I already had my checker when I posted this, but I was wanting to see what others thought of it because I did not think mine was reading right at first. But come to find out the problem was with me I had forgotten from a long time ago in chemistry class that when reading the water level in a tube, such as the one that comes with the kit, that you read from the bottom of the curve (meniscus) of the water. I was reading the top of the water, not the bottom of the curve (which is actually the water level). Hope that makes sense to someone. So after that...here were my results: Salifert Ca = 430 New Red Sea Pro Ca = 430 Hanna Ca Checker = 426 That is accurate enough for me when you figure in that all those test have a +/- associated with it. I am happy with it. The test was easy. You just have to be careful when it asks for a sample of RO/DI water and then a sample of tank water. After doing a few tests with it you will not need the laminated instruction card, but it is a nice addition. They included a cheap pipette to add the RO/DI water with. You may have a larger 10ml syringe laying around that would work better. Glad I bought 4 refills for this checker. I used several while I was doing it wrong. The kit comes with 25 tests, and the refills have 30. Joe

08/04/2011, 07:36 PM	#14
Just2Many I love Saltwater! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tallmadge, Ohio Posts: 1,063	I've been waiting to see and maybe order myself.... Will be watching? __________________ "Quality only happens when you care enough to do your best." Current Tank Info: Small Ocean

08/05/2011, 06:34 AM	#15
edandsandy Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NE Florida Posts: 2,380 Blog Entries: 2	Subscribed. I'm interested as well.... Anyone have the Hanna alkalinity meter? __________________ Sandy ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•><((((º>´¯`•><((((º> .¸¸.><((((º>•.¸. , . .•><((((º>.¸¸. Current Tank Info: 375 Reef, 4) Radion LED lights X30 pro, Apex Fusion, Octo Regal 300 E Skimmer, GEO 618 Calcium Reactor 2) Reeflo Snapper pumps, 2)50g refugium, 2) MP 40's

08/05/2011, 10:25 AM	#16
fishysteve Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,804	I have the Alk checker. Just as accurate as LaMotte and Salifert test kits. __________________ On a break

08/05/2011, 11:06 PM	#18
AkaSlyGuy Premium Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Texas/Arkansas Posts: 295	Not to answer for dowtish, but the extra couple of steps really do not make it harder at all. Just a couple of extra steps that probably take an extra 25 seconds to complete. I like it and I just went ahead and ordered the Alkalinity checker too. Joe

08/06/2011, 07:26 PM	#20
hionreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 510	i just got my Ca checker (SoCal tropical) - so my "old" salifert test was stating around 450ppm. tried the new checker and at first it just read 600. so i thought i would test just plain DI and it read 200 (ie under 200 since it only reads 200-600). I tried another batch of reagents (i bought 2 extra and they are different batches) and it read the same. i tried to half the test (only use .05 ml of tank water) and i got a reading of 460ppm - is it even possible to have 800-900ppm in the tank - alk is around 8 (using hanna alk checker). every thing seems to be doing okay (misc lps, lps etc.) sp gr is 1.026 __________________ FYI - I hate acronyms Current Tank Info: 180g BB Starfire inwall divider 84x3wt Luxeon, 30g Fuge w/6" SB/rubble/chaeto, AquaLogicCyclone 1/4 chiller, Sequence, Drews dosers, BRS GFO/C filter, sea swirls, 2xRW15/JBWave, ACIII, DI

08/06/2011, 07:57 PM	#21
hionreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 510	figured it out - tried the same test on new saltwater and got same results - what i thought was DI wasnt quite as pure as i thought - tried 2 different sources too. after getting better DI reading from new salt mix was 550 and tank was 425 - thats closer to what i expected. __________________ FYI - I hate acronyms Current Tank Info: 180g BB Starfire inwall divider 84x3wt Luxeon, 30g Fuge w/6" SB/rubble/chaeto, AquaLogicCyclone 1/4 chiller, Sequence, Drews dosers, BRS GFO/C filter, sea swirls, 2xRW15/JBWave, ACIII, DI

08/06/2011, 08:53 PM	#22
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Got mine today from SoCal Tropical Fish and it's pretty neat. I got to replace my salifert test. My CA as been reading in the 450s for salifert and with Hanna it was reading 454. I'm happy. I also go the alk checker too. This is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier than trying to compare colors. I compared to my ELOS alk test and I got 8.5 on ELOS and 8.46 on the Hanna checker. For the Alk, you do have to do a some calculations to get the kH value. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

08/07/2011, 12:21 AM	#23
cediss Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 1,431	I got mine earlier this week. Keeps reading 600 (2 tests). I'll have to get some purer DI to be sure this thing is working. Over all fairly easy to use. If I get values that are accurate I'll be fairly happy. Refills $20 isn't exactly economical for 25 tests.

08/07/2011, 04:45 PM	#24
tmeade Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 161	I just received mine yesterday and performed 2 tests today. Both with a reading of 600. I saw quite a few posts where others were stating a reading of 600 also. Any suggestions for getting an accurate reading? I really like this test compared to the old drop by drop method but I'm not going to be satisfied for long if I can't get an accurate reading.

08/07/2011, 08:05 PM	#25
BigKahuna Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NY Posts: 977	Can you use distilled H2O instead of DI to be sure there isn't much in the water?

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