Conflicting measurements of phosphate and nitrate

[gikseiman]

Hi all,

I recently started a reef tank and cycled using aquavitro seed.

I bought a bunch of salifert testers and took measurements of NH3, NO2, NO3 and PH4.

Ammonia and Nitrites are practically 0 and my nitrates was quite high at 50ppm. My phosphate were also high at 1ppm...

So I took water sample to the LFS and they took measurements which for the nitrates and phosphates were completely different.

I took their advice and introduced a clean up crew and some Corals to start balancing the eco system.

All are doing very well.

I did a water change today, took some more measurements again and phosphates have gone down to 0.25 and nitrates were still quite high at 50ppm..

The LFS uses a pretty expensive JBL test kit vs. Salifert test kit which I did some research on before buying and was ranked pretty good.

Anyone experienced this before? Which product do I trust?

Thanks

 

[Lunchbox360]

I use salifert for everything there not expensive and accurate. When you measure phosphate use a digital test..using color to match the card is a pain in the rear

 

[disc1]

You mention your results but left out what the conflicting results from the lfs were.

 

[thegrun]

...or what brand/types of tests they used.

 

[gikseiman]

...or what brand/types of tests they used.

Sorry, Lfs are using JBL Test lab kit

 

[gikseiman]

You mention your results but left out what the conflicting results from the lfs were.

They had Nitrates at <0.5

Phosphate at 0.02

All other readings were pretty much identical such as salinity, pH etc