Is Red Sea test kit good?

[tonedo]

Hi? Randy

I have read all your water chemistry articles. The articles are very helpful to me and great.

Now I am fighting with phosphate and nitrate problems in my new tank.

The tank was setup 6 weeks ago. Cycling process is still going. I have used RO/DI water all the time. Live rocks was cured in my trash can before the tank was setup.

However, phosphate level is about 0.1 ppm and nitrate is about 5 -15 ppm with the Rea Sea test kits. I am trying to lower phosphate and nitrate level but still the same. Coraline algae looks growing very good but little brown algae shows up. I have tested tap water, tank water, and RO/DI water for phosphate. All 3 results was the same. I was surprised.

Is it possible? Is there any water temperture restriction on water testing? Do you have an idea to fix the problem?

Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 5- 15 ppm
Phosphate - 0.1 ppm

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I have tested tap water, tank water, and RO/DI water for phosphate. All 3 results was the same.

0.1 ppm? There won't be any phosphate in RO/DI water if it is working properly. But if the DI is depleted, there could be. Have you checked the TDS/conductivity of the effluent?

 

[DrBDC]

I'm unhappy with the red sea phosphate test kit I have. I can't find the expiration date on it either. I've been changing my phosban once a month instead of every 2 or 3 like some seemed lucky to be able to do. I did start high on thier test 1-2!! I couldn't get it under .1-.5. I bought a Salifert and I'm .03 dead on. Whew!!

 

[tonedo]

Hum! Red Sea is not reliable....

Hum! Red Sea is not reliable....

Yes I have ordered Salifert test kits. Probably, a new result will come.

Thanks!

 

[tonedo]

Hi all?
Do you believe this?
I have gotten Salifert and Seachem test kits and tested for Phosphate and Nitrate level again.
The results showed as follows

Nitrate => 0.3 ppm
Phophate = undetectable.

What's wrong with a Red Sea test kit?

 

[bertoni]

I've been told by a former distributor that the Red Sea test kits seem to expire rapidly, possibly due to their 1-solution approach. I had troubles with my Red Sea test kits and ended up returning them.