Testing for Phosphates

[gotwins86]

I bought the Salifert Phosphate Test Kit to test my phosphate levels. Every time i do I get a 0 reading. I'm pretty sure I am doing the test correct. Could I be doing something wrong? Fairly new tank, so I'm thinking there should be something in there.

Any suggestions on a different test kit that may be accurate?

 

[ReefBum]

I bought the Salifert Phosphate Test Kit to test my phosphate levels. Every time i do I get a 0 reading. I'm pretty sure I am doing the test correct. Could I be doing something wrong? Fairly new tank, so I'm thinking there should be something in there.

Any suggestions on a different test kit that may be accurate?

I used to use the one from Salifert years ago but I needed something much more accurate so I now use the Hanna Ultra Low Range Phosphorus Checker.

 

[mcarroll]

Might be zero for a new tank....PO4 in the water is a feeding-related thing, primarily.

That kit is fine for detecting the presence of PO4 vs zero as long as your blue vision is sharp. And that might be enough to manage your tank just fine.

But unless you have computer eyeballs, you will not be able to discern the different levels of PO4. ("Is that super-baby-blue or super-duper-duper-baby-blue???")

 

[gotwins86]

By fairly new it was set up in Jan. So maybe not really new. Every time I test I dont see any blue, always stays clear. At least to my eyes.
I have algae growth, but nothing out of control, cleaning tank glass every 3-5 days. Not too concerned about it, but testing here and there just in case.

I will look into the Hanna Checker. Thanks

 

[mcarroll]

If you aren't over-doing things feeding and stocking-wise, nitrogen and phosphorus will just take up a healthy cycle in the tank...no worries if everything is doing well. Phosphate and nitrate are both crucial nutrients, so this is a good thing.

Worry only after you see problems in the tank, or after you see the blue color show up on the test.

Then take a sample to a store to test who uses an electronic meter to get a more-precise reading, or just make a small addition of GFO to your system (as directed, no more; less would be acceptable) and keep monitoring to see if that's enough.

 

[Mari]

I heard somewhere that in order to get a truly accurate reading you check your sand by grinding a sample in a mortar. Don't know if that's true. Just a newbie.