Which hanna phosphate test should i get?

[JonahDeMarco]

OK, so I know this is a highly debated topic, and ultimately most people recommend both ultra low range checker, but my question is for a newly set up tank where phosphate could easily be above the maximum range of the ultra low range checkers (0.9ppm i believe). Would it be better to get the low range checker while a tank is Cycling and stabilizing (first 6mos-1yr), and then buy the more accurate ultra low version later on down the road.

 

[Jib]

When I first set up my tank, I had a way harder time getting phosphate up than keeping it down. What is your initial set up going to be?

 

[BanjoBandito]

ULR, the HR will be basically useless in a few weeks.

 

[JonahDeMarco]

When I first set up my tank, I had a way harder time getting phosphate up than keeping it down. What is your initial set up going to be?

Hey jib! Here's the link to my build! That does make sense.

Build Thread - C-vue 45 build

Hey all, I'm Jonah, not new to the hobby, but I am new to the reef2reef community. I'm currently setting up my second reef tank, which is a C-Vue 45 AIO system. The set up is in my living room, so I am aiming for a very clean, simple looking setup with minimal cords, pumps, HOB anything...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[JonahDeMarco]

ULR, the HR will be basically useless in a few weeks.

Gotcha, I never checked phosphate before (definitely should have) so I didn't know how high it would start or long it would take to fall

 

[X-37B]

I have both. Ulr is what I use 99% of the time. I use the low range to check if I get a strange number on the ulr.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

personally I feel no need to seriously test phosphate until you have algae, or until you want to keep corals. No point in really testing anything while a tank is cycling, except just to practice using the equipment, the water chemistry will change a lot in the first little while.

I would suggest to get the ULR

 

[BanjoBandito]

Gotcha, I never checked phosphate before (definitely should have) so I didn't know how high it would start or long it would take to fall

HR is also a more complex (2 step) process, be carful trying trying to strip out phosphates. If the tank is stable and not an algae farm then it’s not worth immediate action.