Phospate test kit or just go Hanna?

Neptunes World · 07/02/2012, 06:16 PM

Well, looks like it is time to mosey into reefaholic territory as I am getting my SPS bult up and it is time to watch my No/Po . I was thinking of getting some liquid test kits which are what, 35 bucks or so, then I think hanna for $60 with the kits, hmmm......... I would think it would equal out in about 6 months or so, so, should I just go Hanna and be done with it for checking Phos?

tkeracer619 · 07/02/2012, 06:37 PM

The Hanna 736 ULR phosphorus meter is the one you want. Get a couple 25 packs of reagent. You will go through quite a few just dialing in your testing procedure.

The meter reads a lower scale and measures phosphorus in ppb. To get phosphates in ppm you take the number the 736 meter gives you, multiply it by 3.066, and then divide by 1000. (P X 3.066)/1000= Phosphate ppm.

TKCC · 07/02/2012, 08:17 PM

Go with the Hanna.....trust me you will not be sorry.

Psirex · 07/02/2012, 08:21 PM

I say use both.... once the API (or whatever you're using) starts to read 0 then use the Hanna for a less than 0 reading. You will blow the the hanna test packets pretty quick as stated above.

Neptunes World · 07/02/2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

The Hanna 736 ULR phosphorus meter is the one you want. Get a couple 25 packs of reagent. You will go through quite a few just dialing in your testing procedure.

The meter reads a lower scale and measures phosphorus in ppb. To get phosphates in ppm you take the number the 736 meter gives you, multiply it by 3.066, and then divide by 1000. (P X 3.066)/1000= Phosphate ppm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psirex

I say use both.... once the API (or whatever you're using) starts to read 0 then use the Hanna for a less than 0 reading. You will blow the the hanna test packets pretty quick as stated above.

What do you mean? Its basic 1 2 3, right? set water to 0, add packet, shake and retest???? Hmmm, what am I missing?

Psirex · 07/02/2012, 09:02 PM

the API test kits reads in whole number only and stop 0 but with the API reading 0 or the phos level could still be 0.999999 where if a reading with the hanna will show the .9999 reading where the API won't....

falconut · 07/02/2012, 09:02 PM

Definitely the Hanna meter. The test kits are so hard to read. I use the 713 model and have no problems.

scoupland · 07/02/2012, 09:40 PM

The Hanna meter is the way to go. I've been using one for over a year and love the accuracy.

jcw · 07/02/2012, 09:50 PM

some would say forget testing for phosphate and go by how the tank looks.

I am slowly realizing that testing for phosphate is fruitless.

Reefahholic · 07/02/2012, 11:36 PM

It's nice to KNOW what your phosphate level is.

You tank is a good indicator if you have hair algae everywhere, but it's too late then.

I like to check my source water and know that my RODI is working right or just test my tank water to know that I don't currently have a problem that's fixing to get out of control.

I love my Hanna....as stated above, get it and an extra 25 regents...you'll need them.

I use the ULR as well...

Flame_Angel · 07/03/2012, 04:30 AM

Only thing I don't like about the Hanna testers is putting the blasted powder in, as I dump it more often than not. I've taken to using a folded piece of paper to make sure all the powder gets in the cuvette.

Reefahholic · 07/03/2012, 04:43 AM

Yeah kinda sucks...

I'll cut it open or tear it, and then make a little "V" in the paper on one side. That way it will kinda funnel it down into the cuvette.

If you flick the back side of the paper like ur ashing a cigarette, the powder falls right in.

I agree though, they should make a better way.

fishchef · 07/03/2012, 07:27 PM

Hanna is the way to go. I've been using one for over 2 years and I only test monthly to check my GFO. More often is not necessary since with proper maintainence you don't want to drop PO4 too fast. A liquid test result was zero, but the Hanna showed .55ppm. My tank now sits at about .06ppm for most of the time.

allsps40 · 07/03/2012, 07:30 PM

Elos high res or Hanna only way to go to get a good result.

07/02/2012, 06:16 PM	#1
Neptunes World Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: 10,000 leagues under the sea Posts: 363	Phospate test kit or just go Hanna? Well, looks like it is time to mosey into reefaholic territory as I am getting my SPS bult up and it is time to watch my No/Po . I was thinking of getting some liquid test kits which are what, 35 bucks or so, then I think hanna for $60 with the kits, hmmm......... I would think it would equal out in about 6 months or so, so, should I just go Hanna and be done with it for checking Phos?

07/02/2012, 06:37 PM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	The Hanna 736 ULR phosphorus meter is the one you want. Get a couple 25 packs of reagent. You will go through quite a few just dialing in your testing procedure. The meter reads a lower scale and measures phosphorus in ppb. To get phosphates in ppm you take the number the 736 meter gives you, multiply it by 3.066, and then divide by 1000. (P X 3.066)/1000= Phosphate ppm. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

07/02/2012, 08:21 PM	#4
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	I say use both.... once the API (or whatever you're using) starts to read 0 then use the Hanna for a less than 0 reading. You will blow the the hanna test packets pretty quick as stated above. __________________ SALINITY NOW....

07/02/2012, 09:02 PM	#6
Psirex Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,934	the API test kits reads in whole number only and stop 0 but with the API reading 0 or the phos level could still be 0.999999 where if a reading with the hanna will show the .9999 reading where the API won't.... __________________ SALINITY NOW....

07/02/2012, 09:02 PM	#7
falconut Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Blackwood, NJ Posts: 3,813	Definitely the Hanna meter. The test kits are so hard to read. I use the 713 model and have no problems. __________________ 180 Gallon FOWLR, 40 Gallon Sump and 10 Gallon Refuge. (2) OceanRevive S026 LEDs, ASM G2 Skimmer & SCA-302 Skimmer. Setup since July 2017.

07/02/2012, 08:17 PM	#3
TKCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 172	Go with the Hanna.....trust me you will not be sorry.

07/02/2012, 09:40 PM	#8
scoupland Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 47	The Hanna meter is the way to go. I've been using one for over a year and love the accuracy.

07/02/2012, 09:50 PM	#9
jcw Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: elmhurst, il Posts: 1,778	some would say forget testing for phosphate and go by how the tank looks. I am slowly realizing that testing for phosphate is fruitless. __________________ I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, ATB elegance, eheim 1260, mp40 (too many failed wetsides), gyre 150 (love it)

07/02/2012, 11:36 PM	#10
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	It's nice to KNOW what your phosphate level is. You tank is a good indicator if you have hair algae everywhere, but it's too late then. I like to check my source water and know that my RODI is working right or just test my tank water to know that I don't currently have a problem that's fixing to get out of control. I love my Hanna....as stated above, get it and an extra 25 regents...you'll need them. I use the ULR as well...

07/03/2012, 04:30 AM	#11
Flame_Angel Ready For Business Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sutton, NH Posts: 596	Only thing I don't like about the Hanna testers is putting the blasted powder in, as I dump it more often than not. I've taken to using a folded piece of paper to make sure all the powder gets in the cuvette. __________________ Operation: Rebuild:

07/03/2012, 04:43 AM	#12
Reefahholic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 3,974	Yeah kinda sucks... I'll cut it open or tear it, and then make a little "V" in the paper on one side. That way it will kinda funnel it down into the cuvette. If you flick the back side of the paper like ur ashing a cigarette, the powder falls right in. I agree though, they should make a better way.

07/03/2012, 07:27 PM	#13
fishchef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,222	Hanna is the way to go. I've been using one for over 2 years and I only test monthly to check my GFO. More often is not necessary since with proper maintainence you don't want to drop PO4 too fast. A liquid test result was zero, but the Hanna showed .55ppm. My tank now sits at about .06ppm for most of the time.

07/03/2012, 07:30 PM	#14
allsps40 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,627	Elos high res or Hanna only way to go to get a good result. __________________ __________ Current Tank Info: Past reef tanks: 20H softy, 29G mixed reef, 55G mixed reef, 40B sps dominant mixed reef and 75G sps dominant mixed reef. No tank currently