Which test kit for phosphate in sps tank??

[MrIrishBiker]

Hi all, I have been keeping corals (soft and lps) for around a year and would now like to add (monti,stylo,seriatopora) sps to my reef. Currently I am testing phosphate with a salifert kit which always reads zero. My filtration is an oversized skimmer, bio pellet reactor and lots of live rock. My tank appears fine with no excessive alge growth. I've noticed sps keepers monitor phosphate very closely. What is the best test kit for phosphate in an sps tank and what level should I be aiming for? Thanks for any advice

 

[sprite]

I use a Hanna ultra low and aim for about .03. But running BB I find it difficult to keep it there, usually I'm way lower.

 

[Mwells]

+1 on the Hanna checker

 

[MrIrishBiker]

Just to be sure I'm looking at the correct hanna checker, is it the 713 phosphate checker and not the 717 phosphate HR or phosphorous Ulr? Also I edited my first post before I posted it without reading it again and have just noticed I cut to much out. Just to clear up I already keep all coral in brackets, soft, lps, monti, stylo ect... It's sps acropora I am now looking to start keeping.

 

[sprite]

I use the HI 736 phosphorus ULR

 

[Ebone]

Hanna ulr.... in ppb

 

[SPS911]

hanna ulr.... In ppb

+1

 

[MrIrishBiker]

Thanks sprite and everyone else for your replies, I've searched the phosphorous checker online and will order one tomorrow, as it reads in ppb does this mean a reading of 30 ppb will equal around the 0.03 phosphate target?

 

[sprite]

You multiply your result by 3.066 then divide by 1000 to get ppm

 

[DiscusHeckel]

I use the Elos phosphate test kit, which is the same as Rowa Merck.

 

[Big E]

I use the Elos phosphate test kit, which is the same as Rowa Merck.

I bought the Elos pro kit and really like it for my needs.

My Hanna checker was giving me false readings and I'm still trying to figure out if it's bad reagents or the egg itself.

 

[Myka]

I haven't tried it yet, but people who dislike the Hanna Checker tend to like the Red Sea Pro Phosphate kit instead. I use the Hanna 736 ULR.

You can skip a step going from ppb to ppm by simply multiplying by 0.003066. So 5 ppb = 0.15 ppm. The 736 checker has an accuracy of 5 ppb, so anything 5 ppb or under is not accurately readable. I've never had mine read between 1-4 ppb. It reads 0 and it reads 5 and up. Maybe that's coincidence. :lol:

 

[sprite]

I've never had mine read between 1-4 ppb. It reads 0 and it reads 5 and up. Maybe that's coincidence. :lol:

That's odd, mine has read under 5 the last 6 test I've run. Usually a 2 or 3 reading occasionally a zero.

 

[reefmutt]

I have tried both the Hanna checkers - phosphorous and phosphate. I have found neither of the multiple units I have used to be very consistent.
I have also used the Red Sea and find it to be difficult to read- especially at low levels.
The most consistent and most reliable test kit I have ever used is what Bulent uses, the Elos professional phosphate test kit. I think it used to be called the ultra low range.. But it is not the simple p test kit by Elos.. I think it is called the professional line.
I use it almost exclusively now..

 

[Myka]

That's odd, mine has read under 5 the last 6 test I've run. Usually a 2 or 3 reading occasionally a zero.

I think it's just a coincidence.

 

[Myka]

I have tried both the Hanna checkers - phosphorous and phosphate. I have found neither of the multiple units I have used to be very consistent.

Lots of people say this, but I have both the 713 and 736 checkers and find them to be consistent from one tank to another, and after GFO addition.

 

[Zorba]

Hanna ULR

Or Salifert. They read the exact same (+- .01ppm) in my experience