Phosphate test kit?

[cashman95]

Can you guys reccomend a phosphate test kit? Please include where I can purchase it from as well.

Thanks Brian

 

[wentreefgirl]

Salifert.

 

[mano1192]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9979526#post9979526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wentreefgirl
Salifert.

Salifert is more accurate than most but still very inaccurate. Get the dltec/merk test for best results. Its a lit more sensitive test. Also I beleive there is a Hana meter that test po4 also, someone correct me if Im wrong, I think its called a cloromiter...

 

[Znut Reefer]

Yes there is a hanna colorimeter that measures PO4. And also a Hach PO4 test kit. I have both and they work well.

 

[chadfarmer]

i have had the hanna colormeter low range
i sold it and bought the deltec

the hanna you can to be careful with the glass culvets

 

[Zarn]

for test kits Salifert seem to be the best

 

[poknsnok]

Salifert would never register anything for me. I got the hannah. works great.. it has measured for me anywhere from .05 to .01.. It is much more accurate than the Salifert...

 

[jeffbrig]

IMO, the slight color differentiation of the Salifert kit makes it extremely difficult to make an accurate reading. About all I can reliable make out is clear = PO4 okay, any blue/grey = yep, there's some PO4.

 

[Greg Hiller]

Our club recently acquired a Hanna test kit. We got it based on my recommendation after I did some testing of it using some very low level sodium phosphate standards that I whipped up in the lab. I had someone familiar with the test kit do the acutal testing, and he did not know what samples he was testing (blinded). I had him test the water straight out of the tank 0.03 ppm, then spiked with PO4 to 0.06, I was frankly VERY surprised that he did infact get 0.06 ppm. Then dosed again to 0.09, again, on the mark. Third was was to 0.12, though I think the meter read slightly low. Still I was amazed at the accuracy that could be obtained. You do have to be very careful keeping the vials clean, and ensuring that bubbles have migrated out of the sample.

 

[mpoletti]

I like my Elos test kit much more than my salifert kit.

 

[meschaefer]

IME the salifert test kit is worhtless. I tetsted a freinds tank with a Hanna meter that read just above zero on salifert, and got a reading of 1.81

 

[MoCha920]

<FONT COLOR="99CCFF"><B> Sailfert or Seachem

 

[Ralph ATL]

For under a hundred bucks Merk/Deltec (ROWA) or Hach PO4 worked equally well for me. Although Salifert makes excellent test kits for most other reef tests, phosphate is not one of them! Unfortunately, I lost many corals using test kits other than Merk for phosphate or Salifert for Nitrates, etc.

 

[mano1192]

Greg,

Is this the model you guys have? For the extra $30 would you say grab the Hanna over the merk/deltec test kit? http://item.express.ebay.com/__Pet-...dnZPetQ20SuppliesQQptdiZ1012QQcmdZExpressItem

I also hear the Elos kit is very good, but have not personally tried it.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9984285#post9984285 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Greg Hiller
Our club recently acquired a Hanna test kit. We got it based on my recommendation after I did some testing of it using some very low level sodium phosphate standards that I whipped up in the lab. I had someone familiar with the test kit do the acutal testing, and he did not know what samples he was testing (blinded). I had him test the water straight out of the tank 0.03 ppm, then spiked with PO4 to 0.06, I was frankly VERY surprised that he did infact get 0.06 ppm. Then dosed again to 0.09, again, on the mark. Third was was to 0.12, though I think the meter read slightly low. Still I was amazed at the accuracy that could be obtained. You do have to be very careful keeping the vials clean, and ensuring that bubbles have migrated out of the sample.

 

[wentreefgirl]

This is more like it for the price and not the name.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSAA:US:31&Item=170110762941

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9989742#post9989742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wentreefgirl
This is more like it for the price and not the name.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSAA:US:31&Item=170110762941

Huh? That's a TDS meter commonly used for testing RO/DI water. I don't see how that has anything to do with phosphate testing.

Tagging along as I'm looking for a good solution as well. I've used the Sailfert (worthless in my opinion, but great brand for other testing) and Elos. I feel the Elos is "ok", but it still doesn't give you a whole lot more than "yup, I have phosphate". I find it still difficult to distinguish the numbers as well as having to wide of a range for SPS in my opinion.

 

[sreefs]

Greg,
Do you know how the the martini compares to the Hanna?
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/537/product.web
Thanks,
Pat

 

[jeffbrig]

I had the opportunity to use the Salifert and Elos PO4 test kits back to back tonight at my local reef club meeting. Salifert read 0 completely clear. The Elos kit read more than .05, I'd estimate about .07 (the next color was .10). Huge difference!

Jeff

 

[mano1192]

I think wentreefgirl mixed up the links...

RokleM- Your experience between Salifert and Elos is excactly what I have heard about the 2 kits, this would be a great topic for a reefkeeping article. Compare all po4 test kits and digital PO4 test meters. :dance:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9990728#post9990728 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RokleM
Huh? That's a TDS meter commonly used for testing RO/DI water. I don't see how that has anything to do with phosphate testing.

Tagging along as I'm looking for a good solution as well. I've used the Sailfert (worthless in my opinion, but great brand for other testing) and Elos. I feel the Elos is "ok", but it still doesn't give you a whole lot more than "yup, I have phosphate". I find it still difficult to distinguish the numbers as well as having to wide of a range for SPS in my opinion.

 

[Philwd]

I like Salifert for most tests but I like the Merck/Deltec better for PO4. Colorimeter is better still but out of reach for many hobbiests.