WTB: Phosphate and Nitrate Test Kits - The good stuff

ChrisKey · Jul 12, 2013

I am looking to see if anyone has any GOOD reef test kits for Phosphate and Nitrate. I don't want the API stuff because I really need to monitor my phosphates to a low level since I will be keeping more and more SPS. I would prefer something like the Red Sea - Algae Control Kit, but any higher end kit will work.

What do you have and how much? I can order a new kit for $38 and add some items to make shipping free, so I won't spend over that.

navila06 · Jul 12, 2013

red sea algae control kit is what i use now, great kit and cheap

Chameleon · Jul 12, 2013

I use hanna checker for phosphates. I really dont know how necessary it is (algae is a better indicator), but its nice for getting the real low level readings. maybe look into getting one of those if you cant find what you are looking for used

H@rry · Jul 12, 2013

I agree on the Hanna checker. I never could make much sense out of the color changing test kits for phosphate. The Hanna checker gives me a readout in a number with two decimal places. I test on the first Monday of the month. If it is higher that .03 I replace the GFO in the reactor. If it is not zero I check again next Monday.

In the past I never checked for phosphate because I heard that it was useless because there are two kinds of phosphate (organic and inorganic) and the test kits only check for one of them. Also, the "experts" said that phosphate was not freely distributed in the water column but was utilized by algae as soon as it became available; therefore would not show up on a test kit. A year of so ago I completely rearranged the rock in one tank. The water was so cloudy that you couldn't see the back glass for a couple of hours. Thereafter, some of the acros began to RTN. On a whim, I bought a Hanna checker and the phosphate was .09. I installed a GFO reactor and in a week it was .03 and in five more weeks it was 0. I believe in it.

gcrawford · Jul 12, 2013

So, is it possible to use too much GFO? I just change mine in my reactor monthly and prevent any algae issues along with pruning my macro algae. I've wondered if introducing too much GFO has any negative affects on the reef or it's inhabitants.

H@rry · Jul 13, 2013

Seems like I've heard that you can use too much. It is kinda expensive and a little bit goes a long way. As long as my phosphates stay down I don't change mine.

ChrisKey · Jul 13, 2013

I used the normal amount suggested for a span of 2 months but I think it wasn't getting the flow it needed to work. So I changed it last week and put in 1/2 amount and set it to tumble slightly more than gently. I will keep an eye out for the Hanna Checker. I don't think my nitrates are a problem so just the API tests will probably suffice.

pickupman66 · Jul 14, 2013

Stripping it down too fast is not good so yes. You can put too much in a reactor. Salifert for my nitrates, Hannah checkers for alk and phosphate are the way to go. Harry, do you think a 0.00 reading is good or is that too clean?

sent from my old fashioned Galaxy tab with Tapatalk 2

H@rry · Jul 14, 2013

pickupman66 said:
Harry, do you think a 0.00 reading is good or is that too clean?

Too clean? That's like having too much money! I agree that it shouldn't be brought down too fast though. I think even with a checker reading of 0 you still have enough for SPS.

Chameleon · Jul 15, 2013

I think too clean may be more for nitrates.... I have paled out corals when I went too aggressive with nitrate removal in a newer tank.

gflat65 · Jul 15, 2013

+1 on the Hannah checkers. Haven't owned a nitrate test kit in about a decade, but use Salifert for most kits.

I was hoping to find a H@rry beast roaming the site

. Art is back in it and setting up an in wall tank. He's up in MI now. He asked about you and some of the other N Al reefers. He posted on RC. I mentioned that most of the N Al reefers are not on RC any more, so hopefully he'll make his way over. I need to PM him...

H@rry · Jul 15, 2013

gflat65 said:
+1 on the Hannah checkers. Haven't owned a nitrate test kit in about a decade, but use Salifert for most kits.

I was hoping to find a H@rry beast roaming the site. Art is back in it and setting up an in wall tank. He's up in MI now. He asked about you and some of the other N Al reefers. He posted on RC. I mentioned that most of the N Al reefers are not on RC any more, so hopefully he'll make his way over. I need to PM him...

Tell Art to come on over. I saw the thread he started on RC.

Good to hear from you. I wondered where you (and the rest of the MGM bunch) had gone. Some time back you threatened to drop in for a visit. When are you coming to the Rocket City again? I'm installing the 4th out of 5 sets of LEDs this week sometimes (hopefully).