Cycle done, fish in... phosphates 0.00?

[ItalCanadaReefer]

My tank has been fully cycled for 2 weeks now, I have some fish in, but my phosphates, as measured by the Hanna tester, measure at 0.00. I am not shocked at the reading because I have zero algae in my tank, but it is surprising as my lights have been on for 12 hours a day for 2 weeks. I put a carbon reactor a week and a half ago, but no GFO. How can it be that I have 0 phosphate? Is it normal? Should I be worried? Thanks!

 

[Macbalacano]

I wouldn't worry about it, its still quite early. Is it a Hanna ULR?

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I wouldn't worry about it, its still quite early. Is it a Hanna ULR?

Ok thanks! No, it’s the LR

 

[Macbalacano]

Ok thanks! No, it’s the LR

I don't recall the range of LR vs. the ULR, but that could be it too. Possibly your current level is too low to be detectable on the LR, but if using ULR, something would show up.

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Ya this one is in ppm rather than ppb. range is 0.00 to 2.50 ppm. But ok cool thanks!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Undetectable on the HI713 can still be plenty (0.04 ppm phosphate), but I'd like to see an actual value to prevent the potential for dinos.

Low Range Phosphate Colorimeter - Checker® HC

The HI713 Checker®HC (Handheld Colorimeter) provides a simple, accurate and cost effective way to measure phosphate.

www.hannainst.com

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

Undetectable on the HI713 can still be plenty (0.04 ppm phosphate), but I'd like to see an actual value to prevent the potential for dinos.

Low Range Phosphate Colorimeter - Checker® HC

The HI713 Checker®HC (Handheld Colorimeter) provides a simple, accurate and cost effective way to measure phosphate.

www.hannainst.com

Thanks! Are you suggesting 0.04 ppm phosphate would go undetected on this model? It is supposed to display values up to the hundredth.

 

[cmoore806]

I think that is correct. Because it only displays out to a couple digits. A measurement of 0.04 PPB is the range of where you want the Phos. So you can see the 0.00004 PPM equivalent wouldn't be seen on the LR Checker

 

[ItalCanadaReefer]

I think that is correct. Because it only displays out to a couple digits. A measurement of 0.04 PPB is the range of where you want the Phos. So you can see the 0.00004 PPM equivalent wouldn't be seen on the LR Checker

Much appreciated