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Unread 12/30/2017, 08:36 PM   #1
HarlequinTusk
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Colorimeters - am I missing something?

Hanna Instruments has a full line of water parameter checkers. If I understand the products correctly, the checkers are all low cost colorimeters combined with a parameter specific test to prepare for analysis. It looks like Milwaukee Instruments has a line of their own colorimeters each specific to a given parameter. It would seem like some company could easily make a $100 colorimeter that can be used for multiple parameters. Is there a product out there that I'm missing? If so, please point me in the right direction. Thx.


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Unread 01/15/2018, 01:04 PM   #2
HarlequinTusk
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Bump...one more try


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Unread 01/15/2018, 03:07 PM   #3
golfish
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I worked in a coke lab for years (Coca-cola) testing water parameters was most important. We used a lot of colorimeters, I don't recall ever seeing anything like what your asking for.

I've been retired for over a year, things might have changed.


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Unread 01/15/2018, 03:12 PM   #4
HBtank
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Even though they are all called colorimeters and use the same basic principle of scale=color, the tests and I would guess optics in the checker are are all different and very specific to each one.


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Unread 01/15/2018, 04:51 PM   #5
mcgyvr
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While I'm not sure on the specifics I'd be willing to bet that the only thing different is the scaling of the results so yes I'd bet you could have one with a button to change the scaling to match the test being run..


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Unread 01/15/2018, 08:48 PM   #6
newbie2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HBtank View Post
Even though they are all called colorimeters and use the same basic principle of scale=color, the tests and I would guess optics in the checker are are all different and very specific to each one.
+1. I agree it's the optics for different wavelengths of colors.

I'm sure they can make one that can read different colors. But it probably be +$1000's or even +$10,000 , which would make it unaffordable for many reefers.


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Unread 01/16/2018, 10:56 AM   #7
SAT
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There is this model, but you can buy quite a few Hanna testers for the price:
https://www.hach.com/dr900-multipara...51&callback=pf


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Unread 01/16/2018, 11:07 AM   #8
nereefpat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAT View Post
There is this model, but you can buy quite a few Hanna testers for the price:
https://www.hach.com/dr900-multipara...51&callback=pf
Yep, that hach one is a good one. I use it at work. It has lots and lots of programs.

LaMotte also makes a similar one. I'm sure there are other companies too. They all just cost several hundred to $1000+.


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Unread 01/16/2018, 11:11 AM   #9
Rover88
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I work in industrial sales for a variety of things, some of which are colorimeters.

Short answer: The filter within the colorimeters is specific to exactly the compound you are looking for. They are not interchangeable between compounds, or easily field changeable. In standard applications in industry, the cost to change out the filter/other components every time you want to measure a new compound makes that prohibitively expensive. You can just sell two.

As a side note: One of our suppliers sells products in the range of $20,000 to $100,000.


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Unread 01/29/2018, 06:49 PM   #10
HarlequinTusk
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Thanks for all the replies. Useful information.


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Unread 01/29/2018, 11:48 PM   #11
oreo57
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Seneye uses a colorimeter to measure both pH and ammonia.........

most of the above talk is based on accuracy..and if one needs less "precision" things can get cheaper..(sorry mixing concepts a bit)

Seneyes patents are interesting read re: this issue..

Things don't always "cost" based on the real price of manufacture but what the "market will bear"...........

a simple "white light" source, diffraction grating and CMOS array is capable of measuring any color you want and is only a matter of software "picking" the bandwidth of interest..
and the right reagents/prep.
Will we see $100 multi spectral analysis tools? not likely..
Is it possible? Probably.. within reasonable expectations of precision..


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