Hanna Phosphate checker RESULTS?

[Pistol]

you may be wasting your time, those checkers aren't that accurate.

 

[Salty Cracker]

you may be wasting your time, those checkers aren't that accurate.

it's got an error of .03ppm.  So run the test 3 times and average it out.  That's not really a terrible accuracy range.  Run it 3 times and if you get 0.00 you are below the 'parts per million' stage.

Phosphorous one is parts per billion, but not sure what the error range is on it. 

 

[Pistol]

I had one checker and 2 completely different systems, different bioloads, different filtration, different feeding, foods, everything but both tanks always tested the exact same phosphate, exactly the same, over and over, I threw the tester in the garbage where it belongs.

 

[Salty Cracker]

I had one checker and 2 completely different systems, different bioloads, different filtration, different feeding, foods, everything but both tanks always tested the exact same phosphate, exactly the same, over and over, I threw the tester in the garbage where it belongs.

Sounds a lot better than taking it back and getting a new one or a refund? 

 

[curiousphil]

I had one checker and 2 completely different systems, different bioloads, different filtration, different feeding, foods, everything but both tanks always tested the exact same phosphate, exactly the same, over and over, I threw the tester in the garbage where it belongs.

And its impossible that both tanks had the same po4 levels?  (I'm assuming 0?)

 

[Pistol]

Not "0" and not always the same PO4 reading but always both tanks the same and it was definitely not possible for both tanks to have the same PO4.
Originally I was only testing my display tank as I was running GFO and trying to determine when it was exhausted (wasn't helping), after a month or so I tried testing the other tank and found the readings the same but I continued testing for about another month (both tanks always the same) then tossed the checker.

 

[Reef Hero]

Did you ever try on another reefer's tank?

By tossed you mean....garbage?

 

[theyangman]

So I ran a test as clean as possible. I let my RO/DI run for a minute so it would be nice and cleaned out. I cleaned out my curvette with ro/DI water direct from the unit, and ran the test. *poof* 0.03

Not sure why it is reading anything direct from the RO/DI unit. Shouldn't it be zero???? Or is there any water that I can use that I KNOW will be 0.00 reading to try and calibrate this thing?

 

[Salty Cracker]

So I ran a test as clean as possible. I let my RO/DI run for a minute so it would be nice and cleaned out. I cleaned out my curvette with ro/DI water direct from the unit, and ran the test. *poof* 0.03

Not sure why it is reading anything direct from the RO/DI unit. Shouldn't it be zero???? Or is there any water that I can use that I KNOW will be 0.00 reading to try and calibrate this thing?

It has an error margin of .03, which means your result could be 0.00 or 0.06   

Also, change the battery and try again.  Rinse the tubes out with ro/di water (including the inside of the cap) before you start. 

 

[unibob]

Let your unit run for like 10 min then try.

 

[jroovers]

So I ran a test as clean as possible. I let my RO/DI run for a minute so it would be nice and cleaned out. I cleaned out my curvette with ro/DI water direct from the unit, and ran the test. *poof* 0.03

Not sure why it is reading anything direct from the RO/DI unit. Shouldn't it be zero???? Or is there any water that I can use that I KNOW will be 0.00 reading to try and calibrate this thing?

Just to clarify, are you testing your RO/DI for phosphates using your hanna checker, or testing it for TDS?  If you are getting 0.03 ppm phosphates straight from your RO/DI unit, maybe you do have a calibration issue. 

 

[theyangman]

[quote author=theyangman link=topic=6368.msg61963#msg61963 date=1380170987]
I cleaned out my curvette with ro/DI water direct from the unit, and ran the test. *poof* 0.03

 
Rinse the tubes out with ro/di water (including the inside of the cap) before you start. 
[/quote]

Reading 1 - Glen 0

Ha ha, in all seriousness though, I did that and I still read 0.03.

Jerry: I can try letting it run longer, but not sure why if the RO/DI is reading 000 on the TDS meter before attempting this.

Jordan: That is my question now, perhaps my checker really isn't that accurate. I get what Glen says that it has a =/- of 0.03 So techinically this could be reading 0.00 and be just fine. I will run a series of tests tonight, not just one. Maybe 3 or 4 to see if I can get an average. I will also change out the battery with a brand new one to make sure that we eliminate that variable.

Anyone have a hanna checker that I can borrow to test against mine? I don't need the reagent packets I have plenty

 

[Duke]

Yes it's well within  spec for that tester.. It could be 0.00 just as easily as it could be 0.07. You should just sell it and get the proper phosphorus tester, it's much much more accurate.

 

[theyangman]

Here is another point that was raised on RC...

Can the hanna checker test RO/DI and give an accurate reading? ie: does it test freshwater as well?

 

[curiousphil]

Jerry: I can try letting it run longer, but not sure why if the RO/DI is reading 000 on the TDS meter before attempting this.

Apparently phosphates don't show up in a TDS reading.  If you're good tonight I can bring my Hanna checker over.  It's been reading 0.0 on my tank lately - would be good to see if it's still capable of reading something higher!   What are your other params like?  Getting good solid readings for Alk, Ca and NO3?  I also have an Alk Hanna checker I could bring over as well as Red Sea kits for Ca and NO3.

 

[Reef Hero]

Tony,
Why did you not buy the phosphorous checker?!?! Im not gonna say that you need it because obviously you dont abdolutely have to have it to grow acros nicely but it would seriously help imo
Also, who brought up the point that the meter wont read rodi?? LOL geeze its no wonder i have no desire to create another account on rc!! Lol

 

[Duke]

the phosphorus tester has an accuracy of 5ppb or 0.005 ppm + or - , its the preferred test to get accurate results.

 

[theyangman]

Looks like I am buying another toy tonight. Off to the store!

Curious Phil: I am home tonight. I have to stop off at Glen's after work I think if he is available and grab something (Unless I can sway him with whiskey tonight) and then I will be going home.

 

[curiousphil]

Cool just shoot me a PM (I'll get it immediately on my phone via Tapatalk), I've got no plans tonight.

 

[Pistol]

Did you ever try on another reefer's tank?

By tossed you mean....garbage?

Never tried any other tanks and yes garbage.
I use Elos now, seems to work OK but who knows.