Good idea, bad instructions!! By Jason on 4/18/13

Jason wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I love the idea of a digital cal. checker.
However, after following the instructions in detail I could not get a good reading.

Had to go to the internet to find out what the problem was.

YOU MUST USE DISTILLED WATER WITH THIS TESTER TO MAKE IT WORK!!!!!!

Checker is inaccurate due to being overly complex and requiring absolutely pure RO/DI By Adam on 4/16/13

Adam wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I have had this checker for close to a year now and have finally completely given up on it. It was a waste not only on the checker itself but also on the $20 reagent packs. I have never gotten the same value twice from it. Using the same RO/DI water and sample water. I follow the exact same test procedure every time. My Hanna alk checker gives the same number on repeat tests and is invaluable. But the Ca checker seems to just randomly choose a number. This i believe is due to the 1/10 ratio being used. Perhaps the checker would operate correctly if i used lab grade RO/DI but i am unwilling at this point to spend another cent on it.

Great Product By Mark on 3/9/13

Mark would recommend this product to a friend

Anything that makes testing easier is for me. I would absolutely recommend this product. I am not good at titration and can never tell when the end color is reached. This is a must for testing.

Complicated to use, but provides good accuracy By Miles on 2/13/13

Miles would recommend this product to a friend

This test took some practicing to get right. There are several steps involved in this test involving 2 separate reagents, RO water, and the sample. Ensure that the RO water you use in the first step is indeed at 0 TDS or you can very easily end up with an out of range reading (over 600). I was never good a titration in chemistry class, so this test while complicated gets rid of the frustration factor that comes with titration.

better than the alternatives, not as good as other hanna checkers By Gary on 2/3/13

Gary would recommend this product to a friend

You must have di water available, there are a lot of steps. Still better than the alternatives though.

I like Hanna Checkers, but the accuracy on this one doesn't seem up to par. By Chad on 12/16/12

Chad wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I am a fan of Hanna Checkers, but my Calcium checker doesn't seem all that accurate. It is ~25-100 off from other test kits and I follow the directions meticulously.

Workd great for me By Dawn on 11/30/12

Dawn would recommend this product to a friend

I think it is a great tester!!! Mr saltwater tank recomends them tooo!!!!

Very handy By Aaron on 11/19/12

Aaron would recommend this product to a friend

I was hesitant about getting this tester as I have read some questionable reviews, but using it for almost six months now I love it. It is consistent, as long as it is used correctly with DI water. It is nice to read a number rather than judge a color.

seems to work By brad on 11/6/12

brad would recommend this product to a friend

i am happy with this checker went step by step and tested my water and showed 533ppm

Super easy By Rob on 10/3/12

Rob would recommend this product to a friend

Out of all the test I like this because u don't have to count drop by drop, super easy

Accurate if use good water By Edward on 9/29/12

Edward would recommend this product to a friend

So I knocked off a star because this should come with its own DI water (or BRS should sell the Hanna water). If you use the lab grade water, this thing is very accurate and easy to use. I can't say it is any better than Salifert, but having the digital readout is a plus. The one other thing I wish it came with was a little cloth to wipe the glass before putting it in the checker. I have one to clean glasses that I use and I think it would be easy to include that since the clarity makes a difference (same as all other Hanna Checkers).

Worked for me By MATTHEW on 9/24/12

MATTHEW would recommend this product to a friend

I found that I was getting accurate results if the directions were followed precisely. Not as easy to use as the alk tester.

Test Results way too high By Bob on 9/12/12

Bob wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I've used this Ca Checker for several weeks now and can only conclude that it consistently measures the Ca concentration at least 100 ppm too high. I was really hopeful for this instrument but very disappointed. Going back to my Salifert kit that I can believe and trust.

Works for me By Christopher on 9/1/12

Christopher would recommend this product to a friend

I just got this the other night and although I will agree it is a bit hard to measure out some of the steps, it does work and the reading was up to par with my other test kit. Only time will tell.

Highly recommend. By BRIAN on 8/30/12

BRIAN would recommend this product to a friend

The Hanna calcium checker has worked great for me. I always get consistent results. It's simple to use with just a few steps to follow. No more trying to guess colors. Just make sure you have some fresh RO water on hand to use with the test.

Do Not Buy By Robert on 7/21/12

Robert wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I cannot believe Bulk Reef Supplies sells this product. It is horribly inaccurate. I bought this tester and wish I did a search on the internet before I did. Like myself, many others find this tester to be a total waste of money. It simply does not give accurate measurements of your tanks Ca levels.

Not That Great.... By Derrick on 7/7/12

Derrick wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

So I have the phosphate and alkalinity checker from hanna and both are wonderful. Easy to use and accurate. The Calcium checker on the other hand is VERY difficult to use and usually the numbers are not even close. I think you need to have lab grade RO water and a specific instrument to measure the .1 ml of water. Hanna needs to make this easier to use somehow. My salifert and red sea test kits are so easy to use I would recommend those over this unit.

Terrible product By Francisco on 7/6/12

Francisco wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

Be smart, due diligence and read the reviews posted here. In its present state, this tester is not reliable enough to rely on. Distilled water?? Powder?? .1 ml ?? Go Salifert or Elos and be done with it.

Not so precise! By Benjamin on 6/18/12

Benjamin wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

Every time i test and retest using the same water sample I obtain different results.

Meh By Ben on 5/30/12

Ben wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

It's innaccurate. It works, but it's innaccurate. And I've done research in genetic labs, its NOT the user on this one...

Test kit By robert on 5/14/12

robert would recommend this product to a friend

With API test kit I got 420 with this 442 for the cost diffrence I would have stayed with the API kit,

Good kit, but very time consuming By Laura on 5/3/12

Laura would recommend this product to a friend

I found tat the API calcium test was less time consuming, and pretty effective. I won't reach for this kit as often as I thought I would.

Great tester, but testing is time consuming. By Laura on 5/3/12

Laura would recommend this product to a friend

I found that I prefer the API calcium test kit because it had less steps, and was reliable.

This is a good tester By thomas on 4/22/12

thomas would recommend this product to a friend

I see lots of reviews on the challeges of using this tester but is not that hard at all just follow the instructions and you will have accurate instant results. throw out that color matching junk and get with the new world of digital readouts

works but a lot of steps By Nikunj Patel on 4/9/12

Nikunj Patel would recommend this product to a friend

great product wish the calibration had less steps

great By nikunj patel on 4/9/12

nikunj patel would recommend this product to a friend

great product, first one that was sent was defective but BRS was great in replacing it no hassle.

Terrible Product By J Co80 on 4/1/12

J Co80 wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

Never got an accurate reading!! Always had either a flashing 600 meaning cal levels were over 600 or L.lo meaning low light......

Simple and Accurate By Rod on 3/29/12

Rod would recommend this product to a friend

The bottom line is this is a great test kit so long as you read and understand the directions. Double reduncancy testing on several separate occasions have proven it accurate and cosistant.

awsome but a bit complex By mygolfisslow on 3/14/12

mygolfisslow would recommend this product to a friend

i recently won one of these in a raffle. and love it. it is super accurate. the process is a bit complex but once you get the hang of it, it goes quick.

great product By Scott on 3/5/12

Scott would recommend this product to a friend

This is so much easier with the digital readout.

nothing consistant By russell on 3/2/12

russell wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

tested 10 times got ten different results using 0 tds r.o. water called hanna tech support guy told me it was too difficult to use and he himself would not use it on his own reef tank!!!!!!! This coming from the hanna tech himself I wont mention his name...... Then he sent me the "other" intructions not included with the unit still did not check consistant,, but better than at first. My salifert will give the same results time after time. This test kit will sit and collect dust being I cant return it !!!!!!!!!!!!

nothing consistant By russeko8 on 3/2/12

russeko8 wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

tested 10 times after purchase got 10 different results called hanna for tech support guy told me he used it, and it was difficult would not use it on his own tank!!!! Then sent me the other instructions not included with the unit to help get good results still was not that consistant. My salifert tester checks the same everytime. This thing will sit and collect dust being I cant return it!@!@!\ Thanks

Not accurate enought to be useful By Actuary on 2/22/12

Actuary wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I am a big fan of some of the other Hanna Checkers - primarily alkalinity and phosphate. However, they really missed the mark with this checker. Not only is the test rather complicated compared to the others, it is highly inaccurate. I should have looked at the specifications where the accuracy is stated as +/- 6%. I purchased it to try to get an accurate daily calcium uptake in my SPS reef. When you get consecutive readings which are 50 ppm apart it is essentially worthless. Stick with a good titration test kit such as Elos or Salifert until Hanna makes some serious improvements.

Another Good Hanna Coloromiter By Roy on 2/19/12

Roy would recommend this product to a friend

While I did not buy my Calcium Colorimeter through BRS(and paid more), I am very happy with it. It is a little more complicated testing procedure than their other Colorimeters but I've found it to be accurate. I also use distilled water for the test and make sure to be very accurate with all the measurements. It's much better and faster than doing a titration test to determine Ca levels.

Unreliable readings By Eric on 2/12/12

Eric wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

I have the other Hanna checkers and love them, but the results on this one are all over the place. Complete the test multiple times and you will get a wildly different result each time. I now use the Red Sea Coral Pro Calcium Test Kit.

Got to get one By bobby on 1/23/12

bobby would recommend this product to a friend

I love this tester knock on wood i have not had any issues with this unit. So easy to use anyone can do it.you can not beat the price BRS is the place to shop they do not sell snake oil cures meaning that they do not sell junk

Confidence inspiring By Ken J. on 1/21/12

Ken J. would recommend this product to a friend

I am a novice in this hobby, but not with meters. We use a number of Hanna professional products at work and I was pleased to see that they made "hobby grade" instruments for aquarists. They don't display the build quality of a professional meter, but they don't cost hundreds of dollars either. The case, while durable, is clearly a cheap product. There are a hundred chinese shops that can produce plastic cases which close properly. But you are buying a meter (not a plastic box) and the price is right for this one. I would not think twice about the purchase. The Ca checker is more complicated to use than the other Hanna checkers, but that is a function of the test, not the meter. Buy it, adjust your levels with confidence, and get back to watching the corals.

Good product By shane on 1/20/12

shane would recommend this product to a friend

Works great as long as your RO you use for the test is 0 ppm but on the up side it is really acurate and only paying 9 bucks for the refills is way better than paying 40 bucks for a new test kit every time it runs out.

Good Product By Michael on 11/29/11

Michael would recommend this product to a friend

I really like the digital readout and the test instructions are straight forward and easy to understand. One of my 1.0ml syringes was labled in reverse which confused me.

I'm not a big fan of the little packets of reagent, they are a PITA to pour into the vials.

Still, far easier to use than other test kits that I've had in the past.

Works great By Jose Manuel on 11/25/11

Jose Manuel would recommend this product to a friend

I had a Salifert test kit but it wasnt accurate enough. It read 370 on freshly made SW, tested 4 different salts with the Salifert and the same. Got the Hanna and it reads what the Salt manufacturer says it should be. Excellent product.

Another great checker from Hanna By lachapr on 11/24/11

lachapr would recommend this product to a friend

This is my 4th checker and I love them all... I would recommend that anyone that is having issues with checker to watch the video that Hanna has put out. It is super easy to use and very accurate in my testings.

Most Compliated Hanna So Far By David on 11/22/11

David would recommend this product to a friend

I have other Hanna Checkers..this one took a bit longer to get in the groove with. It does require RO/DI water but if you dont use that you will have other problems anyway and will also clearly need the phosphate checker! The nature of the science behind this test makes it more complicated. I believe it is worth the steps and carefully measuring out the small sample size. Just follow the directions and its a slam dunk.

Better than counting drops By Roger on 11/2/11

Roger would recommend this product to a friend

As stated before you are only testing 0.1 ml of your water sample so you have to make sure you are accurate. Also, if you don't have a RO/DI source, or cannot confirm the quality of your RO/DI water it could be an issue. However, if you make accurate measurements, and you know the quality of your RO/DI water, you get accurate, repeatable results.
For me, it has worked much better than any test kit I’ve used.

Ok but not great By SaltCritters.com on 10/30/11

SaltCritters.com wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

We have all the Hanna test kits and the others work great. But this test is all over the place. We did 3 tests in a row and each time it read something different. ended up with a 600, 550, and 475. Crazy

Great! Requires RO/DI water By ssgatbliss on 10/18/11

ssgatbliss would recommend this product to a friend

The test requires Ro/DI water not distilled, accuracy with a syringe, and executing the directions properly. Other than that it's a decent test kit. If you don't have RO/DI go with Salifert or another trusted brand. I have the ALK and low Phosphate kits from Hanna as well. I would rate those a 9 out of 10 and the calc test a 7 out of ten due to the precise measurements and RO/DI water.

Good machine By Ryan on 9/27/11

Ryan would recommend this product to a friend

The tester I have had all weekend and used it several times. I hae compared it the API tests and it is correlating well. The down side is the need for reagents and you must calibrate with RODI water but otherwise a workable little unit that helps take the guess work out of it.

Flawed Design By Mulberry on 9/24/11

Mulberry wouldn't recommend this product to a friend

As noted by others, the dilution of 0.1 ml sample is problematic. I tried it with the RODI water and distilled water (from the pharmacy) and I get readings off by about 50-100 mg/L too high. It's not usable for me. I wouldn't recommend it. The phosphate test works for me.

Too difficult to use, wait for an upgrade By jamie on 9/8/11

jamie would recommend this product to a friend

First off, I love my pH checker from Hanna. I was hoping for the same ease of use from the calcium checker. However, it requires the use of testing water that is basically 0 ppm of Ca. Anything else and the test fails. Also, the requirement for the sample is to accurately measure 0.1 ml of your tank water and then one of the reagents is a powder. I would give Hanna more time to figure this one out before buying.