Recommend a Very Accurate Phosphate Kit

FSOL · 01/31/2007, 03:32 PM

So I've heard Deltec and Hanna mentioned a lot. I want to buy a phosphate kit that measures at the lower side (0 - 1ppm P04) and does it in the highest resolution and accuracy.

I currently use the salifert kit but it jumps from 0 - 0.03ppm and my water looks white on the comparison chart. I could interpret this as 0ppm, but it could also be 0.01 or 0.02.

dcombs44 · 01/31/2007, 03:36 PM

I've heard good things about LaMotte, but have no experience.

GraviT · 01/31/2007, 03:38 PM

The majority of test kits available only measure inorganic phosphates. If your levels are low enough that it's hard to distinguish what color, you're probably in good shape. Problem is that you could have your inorganic phosphates at zero, yet still have algae blooms due to high organic phosphate levels. There aren't many tests for organic phosphate that are affordable, but I'll see of I can dig something up....

Edit: Found it here.

FSOL · 01/31/2007, 03:43 PM

So if a test kit shows zero phosphates, it's showing inorganic phosphate level. It's not accounting for organic PO4? Does organic PO4 contribute to algae and browning of certain corals?

I'm somewhat frustrated because the salifert kit shows 0 phosphates yet I still get algae on the glass and on some SPS corals turning brown.

GraviT · 01/31/2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FSOL
So if a test kit shows zero phosphates, it's showing inorganic phosphate level. It's not accounting for organic PO4? Does organic PO4 contribute to algae and browning of certain corals?

I'm somewhat frustrated because the salifert kit shows 0 phosphates yet I still get algae on the glass and on some SPS corals turning brown.

Exactly. Randy talks about it in this article

01/31/2007, 03:32 PM	#1
FSOL Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 926	Recommend a Very Accurate Phosphate Kit So I've heard Deltec and Hanna mentioned a lot. I want to buy a phosphate kit that measures at the lower side (0 - 1ppm P04) and does it in the highest resolution and accuracy. I currently use the salifert kit but it jumps from 0 - 0.03ppm and my water looks white on the comparison chart. I could interpret this as 0ppm, but it could also be 0.01 or 0.02.

01/31/2007, 03:36 PM	#2
dcombs44 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 2,913	I've heard good things about LaMotte, but have no experience. __________________ Current Setup: 10 Gallon Skimmerless Zoanthid Tank Lighting: Single 175 Watt Metal Halide (14,000 K Hamilton Lamp) Filtration: 10 gallon sump/refugium and Phosban Reactor Return: Mag Drive 700 Controller: ReefKeeper Lite (Basic Version) Circulation: TBD Age of System: Build is in Progress

01/31/2007, 03:38 PM	#3
GraviT Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 420	The majority of test kits available only measure inorganic phosphates. If your levels are low enough that it's hard to distinguish what color, you're probably in good shape. Problem is that you could have your inorganic phosphates at zero, yet still have algae blooms due to high organic phosphate levels. There aren't many tests for organic phosphate that are affordable, but I'll see of I can dig something up.... Edit: Found it here. __________________ Member of DFWMAS Current Tank Info: Custom 162g, 40g sump/fuge, black box LEDs, Skimz Octa SC165i, Skimz Ca reactor, a real CO2 regulator, 2016 Apex Last edited by GraviT; 01/31/2007 at 03:51 PM.

01/31/2007, 03:43 PM	#4
FSOL Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 926	So if a test kit shows zero phosphates, it's showing inorganic phosphate level. It's not accounting for organic PO4? Does organic PO4 contribute to algae and browning of certain corals? I'm somewhat frustrated because the salifert kit shows 0 phosphates yet I still get algae on the glass and on some SPS corals turning brown.