- I'm Thomas and these are the top five
most frequently asked questions
about Hanna checkers, including how the heck
you get all the powder outta this little package.
But let's kick things off with are they worth it?
I think this question's answer is a resounding yes,
with an asterisk.
And we'll get to the point of that asterisk
in just a second.
But for most reefers, paying $55
for a colorimeter is well worth it.
They're faster and easier to use than a standard test kit.
They only have one reagent,
while most test kits have two or more.
And they also don't rely on your ability
to differentiate between subtle shades
on a color chart to determine the results
and instead give you a simple digital readout
and they are just as, and in some cases,
more accurate than standard test kits,
especially when you factor in human error.
You also get quality vials and a hard case
to store your checker and its accessories.
Plus, the reagents aren't going to break the bank,
so the biggest cost is the initial purchase
of the checker itself.
Now onto that asterisk.
Some of the Hanna checkers are a bit more involved,
take longer to perform, and can be a little bit tricky.
Namely, the calcium and the low range nitrate checker.
So they may not be worth it unless you have
real trouble with matching color charts
and telling the subtle differences between shades
or end colors with regular test kits.
But for the majority like alkalinity, phosphate,
and high range nitrate, heck yeah, they're worth it.
What Hanna checkers do I need?
Well, this really depends on what you
personally test for on a regular basis.
But with the majority of reefers in mind,
I think the must have checkers are the
alkalinity dKH, nitrate high range,
and phosphate ultra low range.
They are the ones that you'll use most often.
Plus they all use a single reagent
and are quick and easy to perform.
They're the ones that I use
and I do really like and recommend them.
I'll link you to them at the end of the video.
Are the Hanna checkers accurate?
Yes, and not only are they accurate,
but they're also precise
and they have a really good resolution.
And for example, the nitrate high range
checker will give you a reading between 00.0
and 75.0 ppm in 00.1 increments
with no more than 2 ppm or 5% difference,
which is plenty accurate for our needs as reefers,
considering we want our nitrates somewhere
between 5.0 and 20.0 ppm.
The phosphate and the alkalinity checkers are also more
than accurate enough for successful reefing
and have helped many a reefer find success
with their water parameters.
How do you wash the vials?
All right, so I'm gonna give you two answers.
According to Hanna's instructions,
"special care must be taken in cleaning,
preparing, and handling the cuvette.
After washing with the HI-93703-50
anti-static cleaning solution,
cuvettes should be well rinsed multiple times
with distilled or deionized water
and allow to air dry completely."
The reality is I don't do any of that.
I just rinse the vial out in tap water
really, really well, get all the salt water
and reagent out of it.
Then I will rinse it off in a little bit
of RDI just to make sure any of the tap water is out
and then I give it a really good shake
to get as much water out of it as possible.
Then I put it into the case
and just leave the case open so it can air dry.
And in my two years of having these test kits
and using them, I have never had an issue
with false or inaccurate readings
based on how I'm cleaning the cuvettes.
So take that for which you will.
How do you get all of the powdered reagent
out of that little packet?
Huh, this question gets asked a lot
and there is a simple trick that makes it
a super easy and mess-free transaction.
When you look close, each packet has a dotted line
to cut across.
First, grab the edge of the packet closest to the middle
of that dotted line, and then give it a really
good shake to get all the powder down to the opposite end.
Next, use a pair of scissors to cut along that line.
After that push on the corners of the packet to open it up
so it creates a pocket.
Spread the pocket apart until it's flat
in the opposite direction, creating a nice crease
down the center of the packet.
This creates a little funnel for the powder to slide
down and you can place the tip of that funnel
on the edge of the vial, tip it up to send all
that reagent powder down into the vial.
A couple of taps and you're done.
Okay, not done.
You still gotta put the cap on and then invert
the vial a bunch of times and then put it back
into the checker to actually get a reading.
But you know what I mean.
And, as promised, you can pick up those must have
Hanna checkers for yourself by clicking right here.
(groovy beat)