Phosphate testing - Confused!

[CasperOe]

Hi Reefers!

Okay, I have managed to proper confuse myself here and I might need a wee bit of assistance.

I am using the Salifert phosphate test kit and I am proper struggling; not because I can't read- or understand the scale but because the test results are puzzling me! I am consistently testing phosphate a a level of 0.5 PPM - and possibly higher no mater what I do. First I thought it was a faulty test, so I did another one. I have three saltwater tanks in the house and all of them seem to test in this range.

All my nitrate levels are 2-5 ppm across the tanks so I can't understand why phosphate out be this high.

Faulty test kit maybe? Which kits are you using (.. apart from Hanna Checker)

Thanks!

 

[blaxsun]

I like the Nyos test kits for nitrate and phosphate, but the Hanna are also good (albeit more expensive). Check the instructions on the Salifert; some tests you read top down and others you read from the side.

 

[abagail]

very much would appreciate if someone helped with this as im also confused on why my phosphates are 1-1.5 when my nitrates are 0

 

[blaxsun]

very much would appreciate if someone helped with this as im also confused on why my phosphates are 1-1.5 when my nitrates are 0

Phosphates can become elevated due to overfeeding as well. What you have for filtration and bio filtration on your tank, how often this is changed (etc.) can have a bearing on levels as well. The size of the tank, number and type of livestock, cleaning crew (etc.) also factor in.

 

[CasperOe]

I like the Nyos test kits for nitrate and phosphate, but the Hanna are also good (albeit more expensive). Check the instructions on the Salifert; some tests you read top down and others you read from the side.

I'll give the NYOS test kit a look- maybe it's just time to go for Hanna's now. Currently there's 10% off here in the UK which helps a bit!

 

[abagail]

Phosphates can become elevated due to overfeeding as well. What you have for filtration and bio filtration on your tank, how often this is changed (etc.) can have a bearing on levels as well. The size of the tank, number and type of livestock, cleaning crew (etc.) also factor in.

I change my filter twice a week, im gonna try a water change then test it tomorrow as I also wanna rearrange a few rocks. hopefully I can bring it back down