Phosphate Meter Options

[outdrsyguy1]

Can someone help me out with the options for phosphate meters these days?
I see the egg checker which I'm not a huge fan of due to the +/-.04 accuracy, link...
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hanna-checker-phosphate-colorimeter.html">http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hanna-checker-phosphate-colorimeter.html</a>

Also, see this low range tester
[IMG]http://www.marinedepot.com/Hanna_Instruments_Low_Range_Phosphate_Meter_Single_Item_Monitors_Controllers_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Hanna_Instruments-HN1195-FITEMOID-vi.html#Manuals">http://www.marinedepot.com/Hanna_Instruments_Low_Range_Phosphate_Meter_Single_Item_Monitors_Controllers_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Hanna_Instruments-HN1195-FITEMOID-vi.html#Manuals</a>

Then we've got ultra low range Phosphorus checker which is supposedly a lot more accurate, though you have to convert the ppb phosphorus number to ppm phosphate by *3.066/1000.
[IMG]http://www.aquacave.com/Hanna-Phosphorous-Checker-Ultra-Low-Range-HI736-P3570.aspx?gclid=CMbBh4bfzLkCFSdp7Aodqy8Aqw">http://www.aquacave.com/Hanna-Phosphorous-Checker-Ultra-Low-Range-HI736-P3570.aspx?gclid=CMbBh4bfzLkCFSdp7Aodqy8Aqw</a>

I think there's also a meter that's more of an expensive desk type unit out there.

Recommendations? I'm looking to find out for sure if I'm way under or way over in phosphates.

I got a recommendation for a D&D Merck but they seem to be discontinued from what I see.


Thanks!

 

[ralph atl]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Elos_Professional_Aqua_Test_Kit_Phosphate_Phosphate_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Elos_USA-EO4131-FITKPT-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/Elos_Professional_Aqua_Test_Kit_Phosphate_Phosphate_Test_Kits_for_Saltwater_Aquariums-Elos_USA-EO4131-FITKPT-vi.html</a>


Elos makes 2 kits, the pro kit is a supposed be based off DD Merck.

 

[joseayes]

Following along, I want to keep water low phos... Then I will star taking care for sps

 

[ralph atl]

http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=045001&ProdCode=HI%20713">http://www.hannainst.com/usa/prods2.cfm?id=045001&ProdCode=HI%20713</a>
Hanna 713

This one is probably fine for what we need...

(I have a dd Merck and have used HACK before)

 

[glxtrix]

Can someone please clarify something for me...I see people always talking about the +/-.04 precision of the egg and how it's so bad....yet I see the same precision on the high dollar phosphate checkers....in fact, every description line is identical. Just trying to see the difference here.

 

[ralph atl]

That's why I never got one myself, prob close enough for our needs....

After I bought a HACH kit (5-6 years ago) I bought a DD Merck, and results were always identical....

Unfortunately, it's no longer available in USA...I guess I need to just Breslin down and try the ELOS pro, as I hear its the same....

Edit: Oh, the HACH was a PIA....that's why I switched...

Edit: Or I'll get the Hanna egg, lol

 

[fishdude]

<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">I've read on one of the PO4 test kits that if you double the water and double the solution you increase the accuracy. If there is any truth to this you could modify the test to get the accuracy you want correct? </span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana"> </span></span>
<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">The issue I have with any of the professional grade test kits is that is still comes down to comparing colors (Which ambient lighting seems to play a big part in). IMO Human error is generally greater then test kit error. </span></span>

 

[glxtrix]

I would actually love to test my Hanna egg against someone who has a big boy hanna....esp if their test is showing Phosphates in the water.

 

[ralph atl]

I bought the egg, I'll test it against my DD Merck, albeit I'm not going to do a "study"....

I'll let you know.

 

[mikesmith34]

Got the elos tester in and I agree. It really is hard to tell the differance in the lower end of the spectrum. Ill have 3 people look at it and get different answers...oh well better than nothing I guess

 

[ralph atl]

Mikesmith34;898778 wrote: Got the elos tester in and I agree. It really is hard to tell the differance in the lower end of the spectrum. Ill have 3 people look at it and get different answers...oh well better than nothing I guess

which lower end results were confusing?

 

[mikesmith34]

mysterybox;898780 wrote: which lower end results were confusing?

The colors are so close at .25-.5 or even less. I used it for the first time yesterday as you advised. As best I can tell they are at .5 (high). I also got a gfo reactor which I will hook up tomm and bring it down slowly.

 

[ralph atl]

.25 is to high any way...it needs to be 0.030 or so lower...

whether it's .25 or .5 doesn't matter, way too high...and maybe too high for that test kit to read...I don't think it reads that high....accurately...
don't know though...not defending...going by my DD merck

 

[mikesmith34]

I'm not that familiar with the #'s sorry. How about .025-.050. I don't have it in front of me.

 

[outdrsyguy1]

Well I bought the ELOS pro and it arrives friday so we'll see. I will tell you that my Red Sea Phophate PRO shows .06 all the time and is junk in my opinion. I can test fresh DI/RO, mixed salt water, and tank water and they all come out .06. I even changed the lighting in my bathroom where I read tests 2 times to get the right Kelvin rating they recommend for reading. My wife's also a professional artist and is pretty good with colors and agrees with me. I also wrote red sea but they did not answer my correspondence.

There is also a Phosphorus test out there that is supposed to be super accurate but you have to multiply the reading by 3066 and then do some other easy math to convert it to phosphates. It's measured in parts per billion instead of parts per million. If ELOS sucks, i'll probably try that next then maybe one of the meters if i'm still not happy.

Oh, and my RI/DO shows 0 TDS and I tested it against calibration fluid (fluid of 342 vs reading of 337) so it should be pretty accurate.

 

[ralph atl]

I'll let everyone know how the egg holds up on Thursday....

 

[atmercure]

I use this one. Tested my phosphates out of my rodi yesterday with 0 Tds and got .06. Kinda discouraging when trying to keep tank at .03 or less. The regents are less than a year old. Just bought a salifert test kit and it shows 0 fwiw.
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[outdrsyguy1]

I didn't think it was possible to have 0 tds and .06 phosphate. If you buy new membrane and DI resin please remeasure and let us know if it changes!

 

[atmercure]

Thats what i was thinking. Its a brand new unit from air water and ice as of may. Im thinking something is not going right with the hannah.

 

[ralph atl]

atmercure;898845 wrote: I use this one. Tested my phosphates out of my rodi yesterday with 0 Tds and got .06. Kinda discouraging when trying to keep tank at .03 or less. The regents are less than a year old. Just bought a salifert test kit and it shows 0 fwiw.

does that kit really work with fresh water?