So I got Hanna PH4 checker, opinion needed!

[ryanjiang]

It is pretty easy to use, reading is 0.03, reading on my RO water is 0. This is pretty much the number I anticipate.

This is first time I get low enough PH4 reading, being using ELOS PH4 kit but reading is always undetectable.
Now I am thinking to run GFO, I have a TLF reactor in garage, can you bring PH4 to 0 with GFO? Do you think by doing that my color will be improved? You can find some pictures of my sticks here.

*Originally I was planning to use vodka/mb7 method to drive the system to ULN, but I can only get to 5ppm NO3 (has been pretty stable for few month) because I have to stop/cut vodka from time to time due to cayno, now I am leaning on running GFO in conjunction to vodka/mb7, any issue with this?

 

[cmcneil]

i personally think you need some nitrates and phosphates to get good colors.my tank runs at around .03 on the hanna and my corals look great.

 

[ryanjiang]

Seem everyone agree with nitrate part, but I thought phosphate is the lower the better according to some experiences SPS keepers.

 

[cmcneil]

po4 can be bad if its too high but .03 is a number that works good.you arent too high but not zero either.i used to run ULNS and my colors got washed out if i didnt add stuff like AA's.id rather not add stuff i cant test for so id rather feed heavily and not dose AA.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

I would not bother running GFO. 0.03 is a good level - you don't want too much of course, but you also don't want zero.

 

[Shadowramy]

I have seen some really nice colorful sps tank running P04 of .15 and some really crappy ones running .002, most I have seen are right in the .005 - .003 range look pretty good.

 

[ryanjiang]

Thanks!

I decided to sit tight, but try not to skip weekly testing though.

 

[smokenax]

hey there ryan 0.03 is good. i think nitrates is key, mine are 0.05 and my sticks look decent.

 

[ryanjiang]

hey there ryan 0.03 is good. i think nitrates is key, mine are 0.05 and my sticks look decent.

Good to see you here Macros! Your NO3 is really low, it sure work out for you very well, you SPS looks fantastic. Do you dose AA or other type of coral food or just feed fish heavily?

BTW, your frags are doing very well in my tank, all have visible growth and great PE, it seems that Red Robin is about to take off

 

[solitude127]

Keep in mind, with the Hanna checker, there is still a +/- of .04 (I believe). I know it's not 100% accurate. So what you're reading on your checker could be as high as .07 or could be a low as .00

 

[ryanjiang]

Yes I understand, the testing on RO is 0, so I guess it is fairly accurate.

 

[smokenax]

good to see you,yes i feed twice a day and i think my fishload is fairly heavy.

 

[Antonias1391]

whats a good way to get p04 low besides GFO?

 

[solitude127]

Yes I understand, the testing on RO is 0, so I guess it is fairly accurate.

I have the same checker and I really like it because I don't have to try and match shade of colors anymore.

 

[ryanjiang]

whats a good way to get p04 low besides GFO?

I can think of few:
Efficient and wet skimming
Refugium running macro algea
Bacteria driven, check out Sonny's sticky thread of Vodka and MB7 method
The new and hot NP pellets method