Is this phosphate even possible?

[clark griswold]

I recently lost a scoly and I'm convinced it's because a hammer coral fell on it and stung it. But decided I should test my water to make sure everything is okay. I went out a bought a Hanna Phosphate checker recently and this is my first time using it.

Alk 8.3 (this is kind of low for my tank usually closer to 9)
Calc 490
Mag 1455
Nitrate 10ppm
Phosphate 1.56

That seems insanely high to me considering all my other parameters are normal. I have a bit of hair algae issue but my tank isn't anywhere near overrun with it. I did the test 3 times. Only got two readings of 1.56 and 1.7.

I'll admit I don't test my water often other than alk about once every week or two. But if my phosphate was really that high wouldn't all my corals be dead? And the tank just insanely covered in algae?

I'm thinking it's a testing error but going to do a 50% water change in case. Though I'm a lazy tester I'm religious about doing a weekly 20% water changes.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Which Hannah checker model do you have?

 

[clark griswold]

The Phosphate LR

 

[Billldg]

Do you clean your vials with their cleaner after every use?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Reagent packs with in expiration date?

 

[Matt Carden]

My phosphate is over 3 on salifert and over 10 on API.

 

[clark griswold]

Do you clean your vials with their cleaner after every use?

First time using it. But I did rinse with RO between the three tests I did today.

 

[clark griswold]

Reagent packs with in expiration date?

Yes, 11/20 exp date.

 

[clark griswold]

Not sure how my nitrate could be 10 and have a massive phosphate but maybe they aren't related like I'm thinking.

For what it's worth all of my corals are doing well other than the Scoly death. Not showing signs of distress.

 

[DarkSky]

I've had my phosphates 200+ ppb on the ULR Hanna checker. The vial was a nice shade of blue after adding the reagent. I also has zero alage in the tank, I only decided to test because a few coral didn't seem to be growing all too well.

 

[JPergamo]

One thing I've noticed with the hanna checkers is that the viles need to be wiped clean with a dry paper towel before adding C1 then again after adding reagent before adding C2. I think finger grime and oils effects the test since it uses light. I hold the vile by the lid now as much as possible and wipe down the glass with dry paper towel and it has been much more consistent

 

[fish farmer]

My phosphate was 2 pmm last summer( new salifert kit), now down to 0.7mm. My hammer didn't seem to mind, nor my other softies.

My tank was insanely covered with algae as well.