Phosphate

[krzyphsygy]

Hi....I was hoping I could get a few suggestions on phosphate tests. I am not looking for the super expensive one, but I do want obviously something that will test accurate. I have always used Salifert, but lately I have heard some negative comments.

Any thoughts on a good one with a decent history?

 

[HighlandReefer]

Why do you feel your Salifert Phosphate kit is not accurate?

 

[jtma508]

I have to tell you, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool early adopter but I'm loving the new Hanna Checkers. I'm finding them WAY more accurate than trying to match colors. For phosphate get the PHOSPHOROUS ULR checker. To convert the meaurement into PO4 just multiply the meter reading by 3.066 and divide the product by 1000 and you'll get ppm. It's alot better for the lower ranges. If you suspect your PO4 is really high --- like up around 0.5 --- dilute your sample with RODI and multiply the converted number by 2. I have the Phosphorous ULR, Alkalinity and Calcium checkers and love them. Not the cheapest but really nice testers,

 

[bertoni]

There are negative comment on all the testing products. The Salifert seems to have worked well for me. The Hach kit is a bit easier to read, and has been checked for accuracy a bit. The Hanna meters are very easy to read, but they're very new, and we don't have much data on accuracy.

 

[krzyphsygy]

Why do you feel your Salifert Phosphate kit is not accurate?

I dont, I have always used Salifert tests, still use them currently. However, I have never tested anything above zero on it and thought I would switch it a bit to see if I get another result on another kit. Plus I have heard from other reefers that they read zero also and when they switched kits they showed levels so I thought to give it a go.

Wanted to see if anyone else was using something they liked.

 

[krzyphsygy]

There are negative comment on all the testing products. The Salifert seems to have worked well for me. The Hach kit is a bit easier to read, and has been checked for accuracy a bit. The Hanna meters are very easy to read, but they're very new, and we don't have much data on accuracy.

Hach kit? Is that a test or a digital reader?

 

[bertoni]

The Hach kit is a lot like the Salifert, except it has a color wheel to help a bit with matching the color.

 

[b0bab0ey]

If someday someone ever figures out how to build a digital reader/monitor that tests for everything, that certain someone is going to be the greatest (and richest) pioneer this hobby has ever seen...

 

[fishchef]

I've been in the Hobby since '92. Aroiund 2000 I went Reef, had FOWLR since '94. I've always used Salifert. About 4 years ago I put together my 125 mixed reef. I tried to put all my experience into this one and I added a TLF GFO Reactor. We had been using GFO in a canister for several years and I really never had PO4 problems, but when they spiked a new amount of GFO did the trick. Well, after testing my 125 for the better part of a year and getting always a zero with my Salifert this started to make me question results. My LFS put this water on his Lab Hanna and he got a .55 ppm. Rechecked with my Salifert and it was zero. I read about the Checker, bought one, and monitered my PO4 with this tool. Took about a year of switching out my GFO when I saw .1 ppm witch was about 4-6 weeks. I've never seen a zero, but I'm not trying. .03-.09 is good for me. I still have some cyno issues and this was why I switched my testing methods. Just thought I'd chime in.

 

[perikaruppan]

Will do large amounts of Water changes reduce phospates in the water level? i have phospate problems too, over and above dynos!!! ...

 

[fishchef]

Water changes are valuable and will help control as long as your water is not the source of some of the phosphates. Proper testing is invaluable.

 

[bertoni]

Doing water changes will move the parameters closer to the levels in the freshly-mixed saltwater. So usually, changes will drop the phosphate level. They tend to be an expensive and time-consuming way to go, though, for a phosphate problem caused by live rock leaching, for example, and similar problems that have an underlying cause that isn't being addressed.

 

[vitodog]

The Hach kit is a lot like the Salifert, except it has a color wheel to help a bit with matching the color.

Bertoni, can you give me a little more information about the Hatch test kits? Who sells them, are there any other Hatch test kits you would recommend?

I have a color blindness and these color charts drive me nuts. The color wheel you mentioned would be more suitable for my needs than the color charts. I use the Hanna kits that are currently available but I'm not very happy with the new Ca test kit. Thank you.

 

[HighlandReefer]

Hach sells them.

I use this kit myself and does work well at the lower end of the phosphate range. The sell re-fills much cheaper, so once you by the complete kit, you need only get the regeants at much more econcomical prices.

This is the Hach PO-19 low end phosphate kit:
http://www.hach.com/phosphorus-orthophosphate-reactive-test-kit-model-po-19/product?id=7640214958


Phosphorus, Orthophosphate (reactive) Test Kit, Model PO-19
Gallery Product #: 224800 USD Price: $84.79 Available

Ascorbic acid. Range (mg/L): 0-1, Smallest Increment- 0.02. Range (mg/L): 0-5, Smallest Increment- 0.1. Range (mg/L): 0-50, Smallest Increment- 1. Approx. Number of Tests: 100. Case Style: 12x7.25x6 inches Blue Polypropylene Carrying Case.

"¢Results in less than 5 minutes for clean water samples
"¢Utilizes simple color disc comparator for accurate measurements
"¢Model PO-19A contains filtration apparatus for turbid samples

 

[vitodog]

Hach sells them.

I use this kit myself and does work well at the lower end of the phosphate range. The sell re-fills much cheaper, so once you by the complete kit, you need only get the regeants at much more econcomical prices.

This is the Hach PO-19 low end phosphate kit:
http://www.hach.com/phosphorus-orthophosphate-reactive-test-kit-model-po-19/product?id=7640214958


Phosphorus, Orthophosphate (reactive) Test Kit, Model PO-19
Gallery Product #: 224800 USD Price: $84.79 Available

Ascorbic acid. Range (mg/L): 0-1, Smallest Increment- 0.02. Range (mg/L): 0-5, Smallest Increment- 0.1. Range (mg/L): 0-50, Smallest Increment- 1. Approx. Number of Tests: 100. Case Style: 12x7.25x6 inches Blue Polypropylene Carrying Case.

"¢Results in less than 5 minutes for clean water samples
"¢Utilizes simple color disc comparator for accurate measurements
"¢Model PO-19A contains filtration apparatus for turbid samples

Thanks Cliff.

 

[HighlandReefer]

I see Hach, has a plus version for phosphate they just came out with recently. The Hach PO-19 A kit which includes filtering apparatus to remove suspended organisms and organic matter which will throw test kits off if not removed.

 

[bertoni]

The PO-19 is the kit that I've used. The refills are fairly inexpensive per test, but the up-front cost is higher than the Salifert. I don't know how much the color wheel will help you, in this case. The meter might be the easiest approach.

 

[krzyphsygy]

I have always tested zero on Salifert, but also have had cyano problems. I believe it was the phosphates causing it because the equipment i use is top of the line and the flow in the tank is really good so thats why the question. So I will try the Hach test.

But maybe i should just run GFO any way to combat??

 

[tmz]

I've used the hanah colorimeter for several years. Digital readout is nice and it is very consistent . I've also used the Salifert test kit and find it quite good and consistent with the meter down to about 0.1pppm and then discerning color variations becomes a problem for me as I see zero when the meter gives a higher reading, .04, .05 .06 ppm or so. .