Hach DR 890

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

I must be an idiot posting this as I am the high bidder currently , but I would rather someone here get it if not me...

New Hach DR 890 Water Analysis Colorimeter - eBay (item 250376790089 end time Feb-26-09 17:47:56 PST)

Question:

At what point/percentage off a RETAIL price is it just better to buy one from a known retailer or mfg as opposed to auction?

Thanks,

 

[Tom Barr]

There are quite a few on ebay.
This is a very good small unit. You will not out use this in the hobby.

Don't worry, the bidding often goes up. I'd not bid more than say 500-600$.
Let it go to some other sucker.

You still need to make or buy the reagents to test BTW, that cost nearly as much.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gerryd]

Tom,

Thanks for the reply.....................Yes, I have been outbid before for this same unit.........

Good to know a bid limit, as I have seen these go for >900 on e-bay

Yes have to get the reagents, but since most come for 100 tests, a one-time buy of the most common should hold me over for a while............

 

[hani]

I bought lamotte smart 2 new , cost 600$, let me know if you are intrested i will send you a link to a site were you can buy it new.
Colorimeter Meter: SMART 2 Colorimeter: Aquaculture & Fish Farming Products - © LaMotte Company

 

[Gerryd]

Hani,

Let us know how you like the unit, ease of use, etc.............

Thanks for the offer but I won the bid above and paid less than the $600 for your unit.........so I have a few $ for reagents

If I couldn't get the Hach for a price I liked, I would fer sure look at the Lamotte meter. I really wanted the DR 890 model and had my eye on one for a while lol

Hopefully all will go well with delivery and the quality of the device. I downloaded a PDF brochure from the hach site, nice that they supply stuff like that.............

Best of luck with your meter. It looks like a nice unit..

I can't wait to get some reagents so I can do some testing........

Next up is a c02 meter!

 

[Tom Barr]

Here's the link for Hach and Lamotte:

Hach Company - Water quality testing instruments and reagents for laboratory, portable, and on-line applications

And

The First Name in Water Testing - © LaMotte Company

Hanna

HANNA instruments® :: World Leader in Analytical Instrumentation

These 3 places tend have test equipment that's fairly user friendly.
I never suggest these unless you are serious about testing. And if you ar this serious, then you need to know how to do calibrations standards.

So if you do that, have the meters, reagents, what next?

A good plan of attack is wise.

I suggest getting some small vials you can freeze, say 100-200 etc. Many lab supply places on line sell them. Take your water smapl, then freeze it.
Take one the next day or every other day.

Then after 3-4 weeks based on your dosing, you sit down, thaw them ll out and calibrate your parameter, then start testing 20-40 samples at once.

Next, enter the data into Excel and graph.
Now you have a monitoring program of what went on, without having to test or calibrate every day.

Next, you can try treatments, and compare these to a control, untreated system.

And so on.

BTW, the Lamotte is user friendly, pretty easy for advanced hobbyists to use often..........and the reagents are not bad priced. And 500-700$ is a good price for such units.

I had a Hach 2800, sold it, then got a new Hanna. Regeants are cheaper and they worked well with the calibration standards. A bit more user friendly for me.


Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gerryd]

Hi Tom,

So...........

I have the thread on how to make N03 and P04 reference solutions. Where can I find details on others? The Hach 890 does over 90 tests.......Can these be purchased as well as the reagents?

I like the idea of freezing samples over time and then testing at the same time...

Thanks as always.

 

[Tom Barr]

Most of the dosing calculators can tell you what you need to make a ppm for a 1 liter solution for most common nutrients.

Also, Hach sells calibration solutions.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Gerryd]

Well the unit was delivered today and it seems in excellent shape......

Seems to work but no reagents yet so can't fully test it.

Reagents and such will be coming soon so will report then.

I am not any sort of lab rat so operator error is a foregone conclusion lol

This will give a good indication of it's 'user friendliness' and ease of use

 

[Tom Barr]

Note, most of the reagents are the same for different "brands". You can look them up etc and see which method and what nm light colorimeter the lambda max is for each parameter.

You can also DIY your own methods and reagents if you plan on doing a lot.
I'd buy a decent digital scale.

You'll spend 400-500$ if you buy all Hach reagents for a few items.
Adds up fast.

So cheap alternatives become wise over time.

Take a look at Left C's how to make a NO3 and PO4 reference solution, Hoppy has a EI like reference solution post on TPT also.

It takes more skills to use this equipment, they have advatages and disadvantages(cost, more complicated to use etc)

So you have yet another item to learn how use
I don't bother unless I really want an answer and there are few other ways or I need a precise accurate number

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[zyyoll]

I would like to be in contact with an aquarist who is using the Hach colorimeter to measure phosphate, nitrate, water hardness. I just bought a Hach CEL 850 colorimeter and would like to know more about what reagents and consumables I will need. Also how to set up to do a standard curve. Thanks for any information you can provide. Best regards!