Hanna HC Phosphate Checker HI713 Review

[tomgl]

Since I did the review on the Alkalinity checker I'll review the other kits I bought. Of the three I have this is my favorite. Hanna's HC Phosphate HI713. As everyone who tries to test phosphates knows the test kits are useless. Unless you have very high phosphates (too late) they don't read anything. There needed to be a better test. Thank you Hanna. I don't have any complaints on this kit. The case works and the test is just too easy to do. To start I'll share my motivation on why I feel my needed to test phosphates enough to by a checker. I like most of you have fought every type of algae you can think of. GFO and Brightwell Phosephat-E has become my tanks best friend. They are just expensive. On top of that guessing when to replace the GFO is hard. If you too late the tank gets messy, too early you wasted money. So I thought if this tester is as good as I heard 'No more guess work" I'd buy it and did I make the right choice. I can easily test and get a reading that makes sense. If the phosphates start to creep up I change the GFO and not waste money. The test is so easy to do. Turn it on, zero the tester with test-tube of tank water, add the power, dissolve, and let the checker check it for three minute. The result is a reading you can work with. Just a couple of things to remember from my last review. First when the saltwater is in the test tube the surface forms a u shape called a meniscus. The bottom of the meniscus has to be to the line printed on the test-tube. Second finger prints are not your friend. They will interfere with the sensor readings. When you need to handle the test tube hold the top or bottom. Third is to get some water out of the tank and let it settle. Taking the water directly from a running tank introduces particles to the test-tube. These little floaters will interfere with the test also. So with all that I'm obviously very happy with this choice. Check out the manual and video. Post you thoughts.

Manual (http://www.hannainst.com/manuals/ist713_02_04_10.pdf)


http://youtu.be/kST09KWv9C0

[tbone74]

I am not very pleased with this tester. A while back when they came out there was a thread started here by troylee about the accuracy of the tester. I tested water right out of the tap and got a reading of like 1 or 2 ppm phosphate. Not sure how accurate that was... I also have NEVER gotten a reading above zero when testing my tank water, some of the times the GHA was so thick you could have made a wig from the stuff. The powder reagent is also a PITA to pour into the test tube. I'm never sure I got all of it out of the packet. Lastly, I feel the timer on the unit is a little fast. There were a few times I was swirling the reagent in the tube and the auto shut off turned off the unit before I had a chance to get the reagent dissolved and the tube back in the tester. I am so frustrated by this tester I really don't even use it any more.

[tomgl]

Wonder if there is something wrong with yours. I tested this morning and got .06 on a tank without GHA. Salifert was 0 as always. I found that the best way to pour out the powder is to cut two sides of the packet (with powder in opposite corner) and make a v shape on the bottom side. It pours in nicely. I got this from watching their calcium checker video. As for getting all the powder in the tube the video says "you need most of it" and that the powder needs to be mostly dissolved. It's aways gone after the three minutes. If you want to try mine to see if it's different LMK.

[five O]

I was under the impression that if the GHA was growing in the tank, that it would be hard to test for Phosphate's since the GHA was using them up. That might be why you are testing so low. Kinda of like a fuge but with nasty ugly alage in your display. Have you tried the tester on a different tank?

I started running Rowaphos (Black Gold) & dont have to worry about phosphates any longer. Pricey but it last longer than GFO with less risk.

[tomgl]

I was under the impression that if the GHA was growing in the tank, that it would be hard to test for Phosphate's since the GHA was using them up. That might be why you are testing so low. Kinda of like a fuge but with nasty ugly alage in your display. Have you tried the tester on a different tank?

I started running Rowaphos (Black Gold) & dont have to worry about phosphates any longer. Pricey but it last longer than GFO with less risk.

Pricey but it last longer than GFO with less risk

Please explain.

[five O]

Its fancy GFO, but has been around forever. It not as harsh as standard GFO & doesnt leach phosphates back into the water. It just seems to work a little better.

http://www.marinedepot.com/D_D_ROWAphos_Phosphate_Removal_Media_Phosphate_Rem over_Chemical_Filter_Media-D_D_ROWA-RW1111-FIFMCHPR-vi.html