Phosphate test kit?

[wentreefgirl]

Oops, my bad. I use the reef daddy express. Compliments of Hanna colormeter. lol.

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9995645#post9995645 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 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

I wish they had a second piece of cardboard (first is the one included for "rough" calculation) that had .00-.10 broken down a little more accurately. I can see when I believe it's near .05 and under .10, but that's about it. Maybe it's my lighting or eyes, but I can't get much closer than that without a chart to work on.

For those that don't know, Elos measures .00, .05, .10, and up.

None the less, seems to be the best inexpensive solution I've found thus far that tends to be at least somewhat accurate.

 

[glassbox-design]

talk to jesse, i know with other kits you can dilute it to get more accurate readings. perhaps you can get your hands on a different chart for dilluting the po4 test...

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9997712#post9997712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RokleM
For those that don't know, Elos measures .00, .05, .10, and up.

Here's a picture of the color chart (borrowed from another thread), for those who haven't seen this kit.

None the less, seems to be the best inexpensive solution I've found thus far that tends to be at least somewhat accurate.

I agree 100%

 

[tylorarm]

Anyone out there use the Milwakee low range p04 colorimeter? Or am I the only one that bought one?

 

[cashman95]

Ok, with all that said about accuracy, then how important is it to be that accurate. I mean if you are showing PO4 on any kit, thats bad right, or can you have a certain amount of it and be ok? If so...how much is ok and how much is not?

I am leading up to wether or not I need to spend the extra on a better kit just to get a precise measurement when a kit that shows PO4 is good enough?

Is that confusing??!?!?!?

 

[Philwd]

My feeling is you need some, a very small amount for normal metabolizing. I usually read ~ .008 on the Merck kit which I'm not worried about.

 

[cashman95]

so is 0.01 bad?

 

[Yinger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9999732#post9999732 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cashman95
so is 0.01 bad?

no, that's really good. I believe phosphates in the ocean measure somewhere to be around .0005 PPM or so. I doubt in an aquarium, we can ever maintain that. Anything under .05 on a good test kit and your fine. I think even at .10 you'll still get good color, maybe just some hindered growth

 

[jeffbrig]

RHF gives typical reef value of .005ppm, and a goal of <.03ppm for the aquarium.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

 

[Yinger]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10000068#post10000068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffbrig
RHF gives typical reef value of .005ppm, and a goal of <.03ppm for the aquarium.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

that's what it was... my number did look like it had one too many zeros haha.

 

[mano1192]

The main thing is you want to be able to tell you have PO4, where most kits just say your at 0 when your really not. If you are going to be a serious SPS keeper you definetly want to get the elos kit at minimum. If you have the extra cash, go for the Hanna meter or the deltec/Merk test kit.

All said and done, would everyone agree that once running a PO4 reactor you really dont need to be too concerned if the media is changed on a regular schedule?