So I got Hanna PH4 checker, opinion needed!

ryanjiang · 06/22/2010, 12:25 PM

It is pretty easy to use, reading is 0.03, reading on my RO water is 0. This is first time I get low enough PH4 reading, being using ELOS PH4 kit but reading was undetectable.

I have a spare reactor on hand, I could try running GFO to lower the PH4 level, but I want to hear your opinion, will that improve color/growth of my SPS? I guess the question is more about what is best level of PH4, zero or very low (such as 0.01 to 0.03)? I got different answers on this from different SPS keepers.

BTW my NO3 has been pretty stable at 5 for few months, SPS frags have decent growth and color so far, algae is under control.

jsousa · 06/22/2010, 11:03 PM

I try to maintain .03. PO4 is needed just at very low levels. Basically, the way I do it is to feed until my PO4 hits around .06. Then, I hold feeding until my GFO removes enough to get the number back around .03.

Just so you know, the feeding I am referring to is Reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast for my corals. Fish get fed mysis everyday regardless of PO4, unless its dangerously high...above .1.

Gobie74 · 06/23/2010, 05:36 AM

Also remember that those meters have an accuracy of +/- 0.04. So you may be at zero already, or as high as 0.07. So long as you're stable and low tho, I think you'll be fine. Mine always reads 0.04 unless I get sloppy with the feedings or don't have the GFO online.

ryanjiang · 06/23/2010, 01:45 PM

Thanks guys, question answered, a bit of PH4 is good as long as the level is not as high as 0.1. Correct?

I feed fish 2X a day PE Mysis & flakes, most of time after light off I feed coral bit of reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast. I squeeze 2 or 3 time of each, is that too less?

sfboarders · 06/23/2010, 02:26 PM

.10 and lower is what you want. The lowest I've seen my tank is at .04.

06/22/2010, 12:25 PM	#1
ryanjiang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 473	So I got Hanna PH4 checker, opinion needed! It is pretty easy to use, reading is 0.03, reading on my RO water is 0. This is first time I get low enough PH4 reading, being using ELOS PH4 kit but reading was undetectable. I have a spare reactor on hand, I could try running GFO to lower the PH4 level, but I want to hear your opinion, will that improve color/growth of my SPS? I guess the question is more about what is best level of PH4, zero or very low (such as 0.01 to 0.03)? I got different answers on this from different SPS keepers. BTW my NO3 has been pretty stable at 5 for few months, SPS frags have decent growth and color so far, algae is under control. __________________ Current tank: 75G SPS

06/22/2010, 11:03 PM	#2
jsousa Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 277	I try to maintain .03. PO4 is needed just at very low levels. Basically, the way I do it is to feed until my PO4 hits around .06. Then, I hold feeding until my GFO removes enough to get the number back around .03. Just so you know, the feeding I am referring to is Reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast for my corals. Fish get fed mysis everyday regardless of PO4, unless its dangerously high...above .1. __________________ "I was trying to help but I'm afraid I pushed to hard. Now I can't even touch it, afraid it will fall apart." - BTS

06/23/2010, 01:45 PM	#4
ryanjiang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 473	Thanks guys, question answered, a bit of PH4 is good as long as the level is not as high as 0.1. Correct? I feed fish 2X a day PE Mysis & flakes, most of time after light off I feed coral bit of reef Nutrition Oysterfeast and RotiFeast. I squeeze 2 or 3 time of each, is that too less? __________________ Current tank: 75G SPS

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06/23/2010, 05:36 AM	#3
Gobie74 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South Windsor, CT Posts: 924	Also remember that those meters have an accuracy of +/- 0.04. So you may be at zero already, or as high as 0.07. So long as you're stable and low tho, I think you'll be fine. Mine always reads 0.04 unless I get sloppy with the feedings or don't have the GFO online.

06/23/2010, 02:26 PM	#5
sfboarders Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: 808 State Posts: 1,356	.10 and lower is what you want. The lowest I've seen my tank is at .04.