Phosphate test kit

Hanah checkers are awesome!! Digital!!

 

I recently purchased a hanah phosphate tester and I really like it. Makes me want to switch all my test kits to digital.

 

I'm looking at getting the low-range Hannah phosphorus checker. From what I can gather, if you are running a low nurient system, you want to get the phosphorus checker vs the phosphate. Here's a video that talks about some of the differences:

 

I like my hanna checker. Mine is not the parts per billion. He really should have wiped off the fingerprints before taking the measurement unless I missed it. Unless you are really dedicated to a ultra low nutrient system I don't know how much more accurate you need than 0.01ppm plus you really need to know the differences between phosphorus and phosphate as most reef articles and guides are based on phosphate.

 

If it were me, I would test every couple days. You can also test the output straight out of your reactor to see if it's coming out lower than what your tank is, that helps determine if the GFO has been exhausted.

Like any parameter, take your time to lower it so you aren't shocking your corals with drastic changes. Corals do need some phosphates (.03 to .05 is usually the target in ultra low-nutrient systems, but people still have a lot of success with levels much higher than that).

 

I am an advocate for the Low Range Phosphorus meter made by Hanna. It is a simple conversion to change it to ppm. Take the reading {EX 21} and multiply by 3.066 and then divide by 1000.... 21 * 3.066 = 64.386 / 1000= .0643 ppm Phosphorus is a more comprehensive test than phosphate...do some reading :0) Also, every test kit whether it be digital or not, has a margin of error. If I remember correctly, the LR Phos meter is +/- 5% Run 3 or 4 tests back to back with the same SW, reagents and meter...it will be a different reading 'at least" in 2 of the tests and it's not uncommon for 3 or all 4 being different. What one should do is look for a trend rather than just each individual result. I went to the LR Phos meter because the Phosphate meter always read 0 for my tanks. I knew that was impossible! When I changed to the LR Phos meter, I started showing actual levels of phosphate/phosphorus. Just my opinion and experiences of course :0)

 

Hey Sponge, what are the practical differences you found between the two meters when it comes to your tank? I mean when your phosphate is below the detectable range of the LR meter what info do you get to act on with the ultra low range? I know lots of the ULNS folk shoot for phosphate levels that are in the range of the LR meter (.03 to .05) so I am a bit curious when the LR says 0.00 what actions you would take at the parts per billion range. I have thought about getting the ultra low, but when the low range is capable of showing desired concentrations for ULNS and of course when you need better phosphate export I am not sure aside from my personal knowledge, what practical purpose seeing phosphate below 0.00ppm would have on a system.

 

I should add that the LR has accuracy by hanna at 0.04ppm last I checked, but in most reviews it is even more accurate. If one is worried about getting really accurate results than several tests should be done, but for me they almost always match the 1st reading if you are careful with the test. IMO user error is the biggest thing to look out for if you see different results.

They have increased the time before shutoff since this was done.
http://reefbuilders.com/2010/04/20/hanna-phosphate-checker-review-notable-compromises-still-worth-the-resolution-and-portability/

Here is a good review and the hanna had great results using a $3,500 machine as the control:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/8/review