So I got Hanna PH4 checker, opinion needed!

[ryanjiang]

It is pretty easy to use, reading is 0.03, reading on my RO water is 0. This is first time I get low enough PH4 reading, being using ELOS PH4 kit but reading was undetectable.

I have a spare reactor on hand, I could try running GFO to lower the PH4 level, but I want to hear your opinion, will that improve color/growth of my SPS? I guess the question is more about what is best level of PH4, zero or very low (such as 0.01 to 0.03)? I got different answers on this from different SPS keepers.

BTW my NO3 has been pretty stable at 5 for few months, SPS frags have decent growth and color so far, algae is under control.

 

[jsousa]

I try to maintain .03. PO4 is needed just at very low levels. Basically, the way I do it is to feed until my PO4 hits around .06. Then, I hold feeding until my GFO removes enough to get the number back around .03.

Just so you know, the feeding I am referring to is Reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast for my corals. Fish get fed mysis everyday regardless of PO4, unless its dangerously high...above .1.

 

[Gobie74]

Also remember that those meters have an accuracy of +/- 0.04. So you may be at zero already, or as high as 0.07. So long as you're stable and low tho, I think you'll be fine. Mine always reads 0.04 unless I get sloppy with the feedings or don't have the GFO online.

 

[ryanjiang]

Thanks guys, question answered, a bit of PH4 is good as long as the level is not as high as 0.1. Correct?

I feed fish 2X a day PE Mysis & flakes, most of time after light off I feed coral bit of reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast. I squeeze 2 or 3 time of each, is that too less?

 

[sfboarders]

.10 and lower is what you want. The lowest I've seen my tank is at .04.