Phosphates

[Reefnewb]

any reason phosphates would be high at the end of the light cycle? In the morning i got a reading of 15ppb phosphate, and at the end of the light cycle i got 85ppb phosphate on the Hanna checker. I’m going to test again when the light turns on and then when the light goes off again today to confirm this. Anyone have and ideas what would cause this? Not running GFO or any other phosphate absorbers

 

[EmdeReef]

Possibly from fish food fed during the day.

 

[Reefnewb]

Possibly from fish food fed during the day.

That’s a good thought, but i didn’t feed the tank till after i tested so food wouldn’t throw off the reading

 

[Reefnewb]

24ppb right as the lights go on... will check back later to see what it is right before the lights turn off.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I wonder if you just had some addition debris in the water when you tested last night.. or did you test multiple times to confirm the result?

 

[Reefnewb]

I wonder if you just had some addition debris in the water when you tested last night.. or did you test multiple times to confirm the result?

Nothing in the tank got stirred up, but i do remember the reagent didn’t mix too well after shaking for 2 min. I did test a second time after that and got 53. So that is entirely possible, and i am good at over reacting. Lol

 

[CindyKz]

I've noticed that my readings vary but it seems to depend what and when I feed in relation to when I test.

 

[Reefnewb]

I've noticed that my readings vary but it seems to depend what and when I feed in relation to when I test.

Yeaa that’s what i expected, but i didn’t feed before the tests for that reason.

 

[Reefnewb]

Thinking it wasn’t just a couple of bad tests! Thanks for the replies guys! I always worry too much. Lol

 

[ihavecrabs]

Thinking it wasn’t just a couple of bad tests! Thanks for the replies guys! I always worry too much. Lol

You are welcome!

 

[roberthu526]

Did you wipe the vial down carefully with alcohol? I noticed that when I didn’t clean the vial with alcohol I got readings that fluctuated vastly. Then a friend told me that the vials need to be cleaned very carefully so I did and the readings got much more consistent.
Also at your level I would not sweat it at all.

 

[Reefnewb]

Did you wipe the vial down carefully with alcohol? I noticed that when I didn’t clean the vial with alcohol I got readings that fluctuated vastly. Then a friend told me that the vials need to be cleaned very carefully so I did and the readings got much more consistent.
Also at your level I would not sweat it at all.

I don’t use alcohol but i do wipe it with a micro fiber rag, and Iv never had this happen before in the 4 years using this checker. But that is a good idea!

 

[RobZilla04]

I use two vials with the phosphorus test. This gives me more time to ensure the reagent powder dissolves in the water.

 

[Reefnewb]

I use two vials with the phosphorus test. This gives me more time to ensure the reagent powder dissolves in the water.

Yeah some people do it that way, but some people claim that you have to use the same glass, but Iv never had a problem doing it this way. Atleast not till now. Lol