Got My Hanna Checker PO4 Meter Today

sdheath · 03/29/2010, 01:55 PM

Can't wait to get home and give it a shot. I'm tempted to test the tapwater hear at work just for the heck of it.

http://www.hannachecker.com/manuals/Phosphate.pdf

renogaw · 03/29/2010, 01:59 PM

i'll be down

sdheath · 03/29/2010, 02:05 PM

Bring a water sample!

JoeBellz · 03/29/2010, 02:14 PM

Cool Steve, looking forward to your review of it.

FYI, (if this is the $39.95 photometer) from another forum, another member had this to say:

BTW, make sure to be there right after the 5 minute countdown ends. The test results only show for about 5 seconds before the unit shuts off. We wasted a packet of reagent the first time because of this.

DLANDINO · 03/29/2010, 07:44 PM

tagging along, really interested in this product. Thanks Steve, keep usposted.

mtc1966 · 03/29/2010, 07:51 PM

hmm do i smell a possible group buy???

fishieness · 03/29/2010, 07:53 PM

I've also had my eye on this, but have been wondering about the accuracy. It says it is accurate within +/-.04 ppm, which is the same as their $200 photometer, but the reagent packets are different, making me believe that even if the units were as accurate as each other, the reagents might not be.
Let us know what you think, Steve!

sdheath · 03/29/2010, 08:04 PM

First thing I did was test my tap water. You have to put the water in to zero it, then add the reagent and put it back in to get a reading. It shut itself off while I was adding the reagent, so I had to start over. The tap water reading was 0.00, but now I realize that I didn't let the tap run for a while. Don't know if that made a difference. Next I tested my tank water and this time the result was 0.04. Then my neighbor came over for cigars and setback on the front porch, so enough testing for tonight.

In the next few days I'll re-test the tap water, as well as some fresh RO/DI. Maybe if I get ambitious I'll test the RO only then if I get something above 0.00 I'll try again after the DI stage.

CulturedAquatic · 04/07/2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdheath

Then my neighbor came over for cigars and setback on the front porch, so enough testing for tonight.

It's been a few days ... done smokin' yet ?? Anymore updates? Thanks.

sdheath · 04/11/2010, 10:27 AM

Ran through the tests again this morning.
Tap Water: 0.00
RO/DI: 0.00
Tank: 0.05

The results were identical to last time (excepting a 0.01 increase in the tank) which is great from the repeatability standpoint, but still didn't explain where the phosphates were coming from. I feed 95% homemade food and I'm careful with the ingredients. Once in a while I'll feed PE Mysis (rinsed) or some Reef Chili for the corals. None of those should be a significant source of PO4.

Next test was my water change storage barrel to see if something was leeching there. 0.00. Then it occured to me to test my pico tank to see if I got the same results as my main tank, since I have no nusiance algae in the pico. 0.01 there. So what's the difference between the two tanks? The calcium reactor!

It was time for annual maintenance on the reactor anyway, so I took it offline and cleaned everything. I had been using the fine grade Carib Sea media, but this time I filled it with cuarse grade. Both claim to be virtually phosphate free, but I suppose over time even trace amounts can add up. I have a media chamber on the reactor, so I used about 4x the recommended amount of GFO this time around.

Bottom line: I am glad I bought this gadget. The various PO4 test kits I've used have always have always measured 0. This thing was easy to use and appears to be quite accurate even at low levels.

sdheath · 04/20/2010, 04:48 AM

Sunday's test is down to 0.02. I love this meter!

cccharliecc · 04/20/2010, 05:45 AM

How do you do the tests? I heard there are like a few tests/calibrations to do while doing each test, is that true?

Is it easier than the other tests you have had?

I am so tempted to buy one of these...I see it on ebay and have it in my watched items for a month now!!!

Just wondering what's involved with each test!

sdheath · 04/20/2010, 06:55 AM

Very easy.
1) fill a vial with water to be tested
2) put it in the meter and press the button, wait for it to tell you to proceed
3) Add the reagent, shake 30 seconds and put it back into the meter and press the button again
4) Wait 3 minutes, read results.

The only beef I have with it is that if you take too long doing step 3 it will time out and shut off. It also shuts of soon after displaying the reading so if you forget to look the reading is gone. You'll waste some reagent until you get the hang of the timing.

eddiesylas · 04/20/2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdheath

Tap Water: 0.00
RO/DI: 0.00
Tank: 0.05

Tap @ 0. Would not have hypothesized that.

eddiesylas · 04/20/2010, 04:28 PM

Good to hear the gadget works. Was skeptical.

cccharliecc · 04/20/2010, 04:35 PM

Sounds like you like it....I may pick one up.
Anything to make the testing easier I'm all for it!

03/29/2010, 01:55 PM	#1
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	Got My Hanna Checker PO4 Meter Today Can't wait to get home and give it a shot. I'm tempted to test the tapwater hear at work just for the heck of it. http://www.hannachecker.com/manuals/Phosphate.pdf __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

03/29/2010, 02:05 PM	#3
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	Bring a water sample! __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

03/29/2010, 07:44 PM	#5
DLANDINO B.P.O.E 1784 Westbrook Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Clinton, CT USA Posts: 4,592	tagging along, really interested in this product. Thanks Steve, keep usposted. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 46 Gallon mixed reef and an office Fluval Spec pico

03/29/2010, 07:51 PM	#6
mtc1966 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: middletown,ct Posts: 5,775	hmm do i smell a possible group buy??? __________________ 65g seahorse tank 20g sump with a reef octopus skimmer ,tlf 150 reactor, red sea ozone generator controller,cpr hob fuge with light and 2 China led lights one 42x1 w and one 24x3 w. occupied by 4 ecectus seahorses a couple small gobies and cuc. Current Tank Info: 58g main with 20g sump

03/29/2010, 07:53 PM	#7
fishieness Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: ct Posts: 3,635	I've also had my eye on this, but have been wondering about the accuracy. It says it is accurate within +/-.04 ppm, which is the same as their $200 photometer, but the reagent packets are different, making me believe that even if the units were as accurate as each other, the reagents might not be. Let us know what you think, Steve! __________________ That is not orange, or purple, or green, or gold..... It's brown... Current Tank Info: 8 gallon rimless cube, 33 watt diy crees, deltec MC500, RKL, ato, 5.5g sump, 4g fuge.

03/29/2010, 01:59 PM	#2
renogaw Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: North Granby (beyond the boonies and sticks..) Posts: 2,613	i'll be down

03/29/2010, 02:14 PM	#4
JoeBellz Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: CT Posts: 612	Cool Steve, looking forward to your review of it. FYI, (if this is the $39.95 photometer) from another forum, another member had this to say: BTW, make sure to be there right after the 5 minute countdown ends. The test results only show for about 5 seconds before the unit shuts off. We wasted a packet of reagent the first time because of this.

03/29/2010, 08:04 PM	#8
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	First thing I did was test my tap water. You have to put the water in to zero it, then add the reagent and put it back in to get a reading. It shut itself off while I was adding the reagent, so I had to start over. The tap water reading was 0.00, but now I realize that I didn't let the tap run for a while. Don't know if that made a difference. Next I tested my tank water and this time the result was 0.04. Then my neighbor came over for cigars and setback on the front porch, so enough testing for tonight. In the next few days I'll re-test the tap water, as well as some fresh RO/DI. Maybe if I get ambitious I'll test the RO only then if I get something above 0.00 I'll try again after the DI stage. __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

04/11/2010, 10:27 AM	#10
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	Ran through the tests again this morning. Tap Water: 0.00 RO/DI: 0.00 Tank: 0.05 The results were identical to last time (excepting a 0.01 increase in the tank) which is great from the repeatability standpoint, but still didn't explain where the phosphates were coming from. I feed 95% homemade food and I'm careful with the ingredients. Once in a while I'll feed PE Mysis (rinsed) or some Reef Chili for the corals. None of those should be a significant source of PO4. Next test was my water change storage barrel to see if something was leeching there. 0.00. Then it occured to me to test my pico tank to see if I got the same results as my main tank, since I have no nusiance algae in the pico. 0.01 there. So what's the difference between the two tanks? The calcium reactor! It was time for annual maintenance on the reactor anyway, so I took it offline and cleaned everything. I had been using the fine grade Carib Sea media, but this time I filled it with cuarse grade. Both claim to be virtually phosphate free, but I suppose over time even trace amounts can add up. I have a media chamber on the reactor, so I used about 4x the recommended amount of GFO this time around. Bottom line: I am glad I bought this gadget. The various PO4 test kits I've used have always have always measured 0. This thing was easy to use and appears to be quite accurate even at low levels. __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

04/20/2010, 04:48 AM	#11
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	Sunday's test is down to 0.02. I love this meter! __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

04/20/2010, 05:45 AM	#12
cccharliecc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CT Posts: 326	How do you do the tests? I heard there are like a few tests/calibrations to do while doing each test, is that true? Is it easier than the other tests you have had? I am so tempted to buy one of these...I see it on ebay and have it in my watched items for a month now!!! Just wondering what's involved with each test!

04/20/2010, 06:55 AM	#13
sdheath Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Simsbury, CT Posts: 2,015	Very easy. 1) fill a vial with water to be tested 2) put it in the meter and press the button, wait for it to tell you to proceed 3) Add the reagent, shake 30 seconds and put it back into the meter and press the button again 4) Wait 3 minutes, read results. The only beef I have with it is that if you take too long doing step 3 it will time out and shut off. It also shuts of soon after displaying the reading so if you forget to look the reading is gone. You'll waste some reagent until you get the hang of the timing. __________________ -- Steve Current Tank Info: 120G with 40G Sump, 2x Radion LED, 2x MP40Wes, RLSS Skimmer, ozone

04/20/2010, 04:28 PM	#15
eddiesylas Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 950	Good to hear the gadget works. Was skeptical. __________________ Aaron Current Tank Info: 10G Pico Seagrass/macro.

04/20/2010, 04:35 PM	#16
cccharliecc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: CT Posts: 326	Sounds like you like it....I may pick one up. Anything to make the testing easier I'm all for it!