Steensj2004 Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 I figured I would review this product quickly just in case someone sees this before they buy. I was super excited to snag a couple of these checkers for my tank, who doesn't want easy, digital results, right? So I picked up the Alkalinity and Calcium checkers from Hanna. The Alk checker was used, the regent was even out of date, but it checked in line with my analog kits @ 9.5-10.0dKH. Cool! So I broke out the brand new calcium checker( which I might add has regents that are still good for over another year according to the exp. date), the first test read a blinking 600( indicates that the calcium levels were outside the readable 600ppm.... I figured I did something wrong, so after a bit of research, I found out you have to be very meticulous when testing with this kit. Every measurement must be EXACT. Hmmm, I am ridiculously methodical when I measure and test my water. I tried around 5-6 more times. I was using RO/DI water, measuring 00TDS, good water by all standards. Hanna sells fancy deionized water, but it was pricey and I read RO/DI works fine if it is 100% pure. Every time I tested I got a blinking 600, or a range of 500ppm. A few times I even got a blinking 200. At this point I was frustrated and contacted Hanna. They sent me free deionized water and a nicer syringe for measuring ease. It arrived last night, I was very excited to try it out. Welp, 10 tests later, trying everything I could think of, and 541-600ppm readings. Analog tests read @ 420-430 range. So, this is the biggest piece of crap I have ever spent my money on in this hobby. A little research shows that Hanna has always had a crap checker for calcium. So, do NOT buy this thing, it is absolute garbage. I am very disappointed at how horrible it ended up being, I will probably never buy from them again. Link to comment
basser1 Posted August 18, 2015 Share Posted August 18, 2015 O.K....... I'll ask the obvious. How do you know the analog tests are good? I have the Hanna Ca checker and it works for me. I get consistent results with it. While it may not be "spot on" accurate, it does give me an idea of where the level is. I usually don't get too concerned with Ca levels as high levels doesn't seem to affect my acros much. I'm much more concerned about steady Alk. Just my 2 pennies........ Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 20, 2015 Author Share Posted August 20, 2015 O.K....... I'll ask the obvious. How do you know the analog tests are good? I have the Hanna Ca checker and it works for me. I get consistent results with it. While it may not be "spot on" accurate, it does give me an idea of where the level is. I usually don't get too concerned with Ca levels as high levels doesn't seem to affect my acros much. I'm much more concerned about steady Alk. Just my 2 pennies........ Because both Salifert and NYOS tests read the same, so unless it is the biggest coincidence ever, I'd say the Hanna checker is wrong. Second, one google search provides TONS of info where people have major issues with this tester. I would wager about 1/10 people( or worse) had good results fromt the good hour of reading I did. Link to comment
basser1 Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 Hmmm..... Interesting. I just checked several vendor sites, MD, BRS, and Amazon just to name a few and all of them gave the Ca checker pretty good reviews. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree as I'm happy with my purchase. Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Hmmm..... Interesting. I just checked several vendor sites, MD, BRS, and Amazon just to name a few and all of them gave the Ca checker pretty good reviews. Guess we'll have to agree to disagree as I'm happy with my purchase. One Google search will explain the issues. These things were PLAGUED with issues from the rip. Vendor sites are great, they don't tell the story. I also read reviews on the vendor sites before I purchased this checker. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=hanna+calcium+checker+issues Link to comment
basser1 Posted August 26, 2015 Share Posted August 26, 2015 One Google search will explain the issues. These things were PLAGUED with issues from the rip. Vendor sites are great, they don't tell the story. I also read reviews on the vendor sites before I purchased this checker. https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=hanna+calcium+checker+issues But... But.... You do know it usually comes down to "user error" right?? Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted August 27, 2015 Author Share Posted August 27, 2015 But... But.... You do know it usually comes down to "user error" right?? Not even Hamas customer service e can figure this one out. I've been using test kits for years successfully, and consistently. There is literally no way for it to be me on this one. Link to comment
basser1 Posted August 28, 2015 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Again... I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. As for me? I'll keep on using this "piece of crap" test kit..... Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 Again... I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. As for me? I'll keep on using this "piece of crap" test kit..... Thats fine. I have exchanged 10+ emails with Hanna, and been on the phone a total of about 2 hours with tech support. Can't make it work. Statistically, they are crap, just because you have good luck doesn't mean the next 15 people got a good one. Link to comment
teenyreef Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I had the sames results with mine. I won't even sell mine to someone else because it would be unfair. So it sits in the back corner under the cabinet. I love their Alk checker, though. Works great and it's easy to use. Link to comment
HarryPotter Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I had the sames results with mine. I won't even sell mine to someone else because it would be unfair. So it sits in the back corner under the cabinet. I love their Alk checker, though. Works great and it's easy to use. I have the Alk checker and the low range phosphate checker. Love em, they give me the exact same as salifert. Interesting about the calcium- that stinks! But I keep my calcium above test kit range haha, over 500 Link to comment
basser1 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Statistically, they are crap, just because you have good luck doesn't mean the next 15 people got a good one. Guess we'll never know..... Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Guess we'll never know..... Except we do....because it's a well known issue. Soooooo Link to comment
basser1 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Except we do....because it's a well known issue. Soooooo And yet there are still many that like it. Sooooo that's the last I'll say on it. BTW, Have you checked out the new NYOS test kits? Link to comment
braaap Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I had the sames results with mine. I won't even sell mine to someone else because it would be unfair. So it sits in the back corner under the cabinet. I love their Alk checker, though. Works great and it's easy to use. I'll pay shipping for it. Worth a shot to see if it works for me. Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 And yet there are still many that like it. Sooooo that's the last I'll say on it. BTW, Have you checked out the new NYOS test kits? Hanna Instruments sent out new regents when they first had the problems. Companies don't send out free stuff like that unless it's a large issue. I use them, replaced Salifert with them. They are accurate, and read the same as my salifert or at least REALLY close. I'll pay shipping for it. Worth a shot to see if it works for me. I found another wacky, different process on Reef Central to test with it. I am going to try that out. Link to comment
gtb Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I bought mine when it first came out. Never had a issue with it. Never received and replacement reagents from Hanna either. I have had two phosphate meters replaced by Hanna under warranty but the calcium checker has been rock solid from day one. Just lucky I guess. Link to comment
GTi Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Mine has been fine, too. I also have the Alk and low range Phosphate and quite like them. Too bad yours doesn't work well. Won't they replace it under warranty? Link to comment
Rehype Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Sorry to hear you got a bad one. I do have to agree with others though and say Ive had success with the calcium checker in the past. Link to comment
Steensj2004 Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 Not sure it isn't just user error honestly. Link to comment
basser1 Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I know steens and I have had some disagreements about the Hanna Cal checker. I just received the NYOS Cal test kit. According to the results from the NYOS, it's reading almost 100ppm lower than the Hanna tester. So what to do, which one do I believe? I did a couple of tests on both and get close readings on both. I have ordered a Hanna calcium checker calibration check set that has been lab certified at 400ppm. It will be interesting to see what the reults will be. I'll post my results when I receive it. Link to comment
braaap Posted October 3, 2015 Share Posted October 3, 2015 I know steens and I have had some disagreements about the Hanna Cal checker. I just received the NYOS Cal test kit. According to the results from the NYOS, it's reading almost 100ppm lower than the Hanna tester. So what to do, which one do I believe? I did a couple of tests on both and get close readings on both. I have ordered a Hanna calcium checker calibration check set that has been lab certified at 400ppm. It will be interesting to see what the reults will be. I'll post my results when I receive it. Well let me know because Steens is sending this checker to me tomorrow. I plan to compare it to my Red Sea kit. Link to comment
basser1 Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 braaap, on 02 Oct 2015 - 7:59 PM, said: Well let me know because Steens is sending this checker to me tomorrow. I plan to compare it to my Red Sea kit. basser1, on 02 Oct 2015 - 7:54 PM, said: I know steens and I have had some disagreements about the Hanna Cal checker. I just received the NYOS Cal test kit. According to the results from the NYOS, it's reading almost 100ppm lower than the Hanna tester. So what to do, which one do I believe? I did a couple of tests on both and get close readings on both. I have ordered a Hanna calcium checker calibration check set that has been lab certified at 400ppm. It will be interesting to see what the reults will be. I'll post my results when I receive it. UPDATE: I had ordered a NYOS calcium test kit and I was getting readings from 80 to 100 ppm lower than the Hanna checker. I decided to order a calibration kit from Hanna so I could see what readings I would get. So today, I received my Hanna calcium checker calibration check. It has been lab certified, with certification, to 400ppm. I performed the test(s), and I did 4 tests to see what readings I would get. I'm pleased to post the reults: Test #1 = 405ppm Test #2 = 401ppm Test #3 = 400ppm Test #4 = 400ppm This confirms to me that the Hanna Cal checker is pretty darn accurate. I'm glad I didn't go by the the readings from the NYOS test kit, or I would have really over-dosed calcium. Looks like you're good to go braaap..... Link to comment
braaap Posted October 5, 2015 Share Posted October 5, 2015 UPDATE: I had ordered a NYOS calcium test kit and I was getting readings from 80 to 100 ppm lower than the Hanna checker. I decided to order a calibration kit from Hanna so I could see what readings I would get. So today, I received my Hanna calcium checker calibration check. It has been lab certified, with certification, to 400ppm. I performed the test(s), and I did 4 tests to see what readings I would get. I'm pleased to post the reults: Test #1 = 405ppm Test #2 = 401ppm Test #3 = 400ppm Test #4 = 400ppm This confirms to me that the Hanna Cal checker is pretty darn accurate. I'm glad I didn't go by the the readings from the NYOS test kit, or I would have really over-dosed calcium. Looks like you're good to go braaap..... Thank you good sir. Tracking says my Bae Steensy had the package delivered today. Link to comment
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