Elos Phosphate Test Kit, Reagent B question

[rededge2k1]

I bought an Elos Phosphate kit today because I assumed my API kit was defective, as it always read 0ppm even through my worst algae blooms. Today I tested with the Elos kit and also got a result of 0ppm. I tested my kitchen tap water, and again, 0ppm. And when I say 0ppm, I mean the water doesn't change even the slightest color....remains crystal clear. Can this be right? I'm battling a cyano (I think) bloom that is taking over my entire tank.

I noticed the "Reagent B" in my Elos kit is very thick, with a consistency like warm syrup. It doesn't drip out of the bottle like "Reagent A," rather it kinda globs out like goo. Is THAT right?

Thanks for any help,
Dustin

 

[oil_fan]

It's possible that the reason for the 0 readings in the tank is that the phosphates get consumed as fast as it's produced. I don't have any experience with the Elos phosphate test kits though.

Now if you want a baseline test to prove the kit is working, try mixing some high phosphate food with a bit of tank water separately. Let it sit for a bit and then test. Since the water wouldn't be in the tank itself, the phosphates wouldn't be consumed by any algae. And that should produce some results!!

 

[tgray3]

I am currently in the exact same position except i went with a sachem instead of elos kit. I am going to really watch this thread. It would be great if the AWT people would give us a group discount/powerbuy then we could get a bunch of one time tests for members.

 

[derek_s]

My reagent B is thick as well. And it seems to measure ok compared to a photometer.