Hanna Checker - low/medium/high range

crankbait09 · 02/20/2017, 12:03 PM

I have a question about the Hanna Checkers.
I noticed you can get the low, medium, or high range checker for some of the test kits.

For example.
the low range Ammonia tester tests 0-3.0
the medium range Ammonia tester tests 0-9.99
the high range Ammonia tester tests 0-99.9

My question is this. Why would you not purchase the high range tester, which would cover the whole kitten caboodle? If you purchase the low or medium only, and the ammonia level goes above the testers ability, then you have no reading. You'd be forced to get the next tester. Why not buy the higher range and call it a day? I realize if your ammonia was that high, your fish would be dead, but still. why not have the one tester?

hkgar · 02/20/2017, 02:10 PM

What is the accuracy of the different tests kits? I don't see any reason to kit a kit that test to 99.9. I say this because we want ammonia to be zero. It it registers at 3.0 or more, to me it wouldn't matter what it was, the tank is not cycled.

Wants your tank is cycled and establish you may never test ammonia again.

crankbait09 · 02/20/2017, 03:19 PM

Although I have tested from time to time for ammonia, it is once in a while in between. All my fish are acting the same way since day one of placing them in the tank till now. I see now signs of foul water at all. So I guess i can see that.

thanks for the input

bertoni · 02/20/2017, 05:06 PM

The precision of the wider range tests will be lower, on average. That's easy to see with the phosphate meters (which includes the Phosphorus ULR). If the specs on the wide range are good enough for you, then getting one will be fine. There are some wide range units for at least a few parameters that are very accurate, but they tend to be pricey.

Dan_P · 02/21/2017, 04:43 AM

These kits are likely for freshwater only. Make sure the kits specifically states it can be used in saltwater.

02/20/2017, 12:03 PM	#1
crankbait09 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 932	Hanna Checker - low/medium/high range I have a question about the Hanna Checkers. I noticed you can get the low, medium, or high range checker for some of the test kits. For example. the low range Ammonia tester tests 0-3.0 the medium range Ammonia tester tests 0-9.99 the high range Ammonia tester tests 0-99.9 My question is this. Why would you not purchase the high range tester, which would cover the whole kitten caboodle? If you purchase the low or medium only, and the ammonia level goes above the testers ability, then you have no reading. You'd be forced to get the next tester. Why not buy the higher range and call it a day? I realize if your ammonia was that high, your fish would be dead, but still. why not have the one tester?

02/20/2017, 02:10 PM	#2
hkgar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dewitt MI Posts: 5,051	What is the accuracy of the different tests kits? I don't see any reason to kit a kit that test to 99.9. I say this because we want ammonia to be zero. It it registers at 3.0 or more, to me it wouldn't matter what it was, the tank is not cycled. Wants your tank is cycled and establish you may never test ammonia again. __________________ Gary 180 gallon, 40 gallon sump, 3 250 W MH + 4 80W ATI T5's, MTC MVX 36 Skimmer, Apex controller Aquamaxx T-3 CaRx Current Tank Info: A 2 Barred Rabbitfish, Red Head Salon, Yellow/Purple, McMaster Fairy, Possum, 2 Leopard Wrasses, Kole, & Atlantic Blue Tangs, 2 Percula Clown, 3 PJ and 1 Banggai Cardinalfish , Swallowtail, Bellus and Coral Beauty Angels

02/20/2017, 05:06 PM	#4
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	The precision of the wider range tests will be lower, on average. That's easy to see with the phosphate meters (which includes the Phosphorus ULR). If the specs on the wide range are good enough for you, then getting one will be fine. There are some wide range units for at least a few parameters that are very accurate, but they tend to be pricey. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/20/2017, 03:19 PM	#3
crankbait09 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 932	Although I have tested from time to time for ammonia, it is once in a while in between. All my fish are acting the same way since day one of placing them in the tank till now. I see now signs of foul water at all. So I guess i can see that. thanks for the input

02/21/2017, 04:43 AM	#5
Dan_P Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,432	These kits are likely for freshwater only. Make sure the kits specifically states it can be used in saltwater.