High Phosphates

spspirate · Dec 22, 2011

I'd like to throw this question out there because I'm still trying to research the answer. Maybe one of you guys can help me out. Been checking my phosphate levels with the Elos test kit all this time not knowing my phosphates were up there. Checked my phosphates on a hannah checker and read 0.15ppm! I was reading and found out that the manufacturer will tell you that your results will very +/- .04ppm.http://www.hannainst.com/manuals/ist713_02_04_10.pdf So I go and check it with the D-D test kit. I believe my phosphates are around 0.05ppm-0.09ppm. Now my question.....is this a high enough reading to hinder the calcification of some of SPS?

JOSE CASAS · Dec 22, 2011

Yes to a certain degree.....but not that bad. I shoot for .00 -.02. NSW is .02. My corals look the best when I test the po4 on the HC and it reads .00. If you decide to bring it lower ....just do it slowly. @ those level you can also have algae problems. hth

spspirate · Dec 22, 2011

Thanks Jose on the feed back. I've been checking my po4 with an Elos kit the whole time it was reading 0.00ppm. No more Elos test for me. Could't understand why I wasn't getting the growth I should out of even some of the simplest corals to grow..

JOSE CASAS · Dec 22, 2011

Yea the Elos and other drop, coloring changing kits can only give you a ball park reading but the hanna or any color meter is much better not because it more accurate but because you know the digital reading. With that and using your corals as indictors you can strive to keep that reading, in turn maintaining the po4 more consistent.