Phosphate testing?

atlfishes · Mar 25, 2009

Are the DD Merck test kit and the Hanna Photometer the only two viable ways to accuratly test phosphates?

Is an expired DD Merck kit okay for aquarium use? A vendor was saying its fine, but sounds kinda fishy. Is it a match the color chart kit that is somewhat subjective?

Has anybody that has used both have an opinion?

Thanks

theplatypus · Mar 25, 2009

You're the best test kit out there. It's pretty simple if you have algae, you have phosphates. Algae needs 3 things, phosphate,nitrate, and light.

atlfishes · Mar 25, 2009

Sure I have some algae, I do more scraping off the acrylic than I care for. I'd like a reference point for where it is today, after a week of GFO, two weeks.... If I can monitor it I'd think I could better control it.

soarin' · Mar 25, 2009

All the algae that you are scraping off your acrylic is phosphate that will never show up on any of your tests -- the algae "ate" it before you could test for it.

So if you put in GFO and notice that you have less algae, then your GFO will have "grabbed" the phosphate faster than your algae could get to it + grow.

I'm no expert so someone can correct me on this, but if you're seeing algae then just up your GFO, water changes, skimming, VSV, etc. until the algae goes away.

Be very very careful if you try GFO or VSV -- there are pitfalls with both of them that are worse than the algae.

ralph atl · Mar 25, 2009

You must export the same or more nutrients than you put in. Overfeeding, tap water, high phosphate foods, etc. 
 
 
Phosphate reduction/ removal and high trates could be the answer. Wet skimming with a skimmer that is rated at least double your water volume. If you cannot get a fuge or sump (you can maybe make a "Rubbermaid sump with cheato in it for a few bucks) you can get a $35.00 hang on phosphate reactor for your tank and put some GFO in there. In the future, you'll most likely need a refugium with Macro algae. If you choose GFO, you’ll need to start VERY SLOWLY! Use 25% of the recommended media, slowly increasing every 2-4 weeks. You need to acclimate your tank inhabitants over at least a 2 month period especially is you have any stony corals. Once acclimated you’ll need to change your Iron based media in the phosphate reactor more often. Your media will get saturated in 2 weeks or so depending upon how much is bound up in your rocks, tank, algae, etc. Use less media, change every 2 weeks. Use a great test kit like DD Merck, Hack, or colormeter or send to AWT. If you already have a fuge & reactor, be aggressive & change the media every 2 weeks.
 
When you do your water change, take the end of the hose and suck all the algae down like a vacuum. It'll take a few water changes, but it works (especially after the phosphate remover kicks in)
 
Use a phosphate reactor with some phosar or ROWA or whatever, and something to lower nitrates like a fuge, AZNO3, Vodka, VSV or other carbon source. 
 
 
check out:
 
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-11/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/rhf/index.php</a>
 
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/july2003/chem.htm
 
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php">http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/eb/index.php</a>
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/august2003/chem.htm</a>
 
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1349443
 
[IMG]http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/sept2002/chem.htm</a>

and
 
VSV:
[IMG]http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2008-08/nftt/index.php">http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...nftt/index.php</a>

[IMG]http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1225324">http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1225324</a>
 
 
[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22849&highlight=vodka">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forum...ighlight=vodka</a>

ralph atl · Mar 25, 2009

DD Merck kit, Hach & colormeter are the best. An expired DD Merck kit should work within maybe a year of expiration. I prefer the DD Merck as it is easier than the other 2, IMHO.

Phosphate testing?

atlfishes

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theplatypus

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atlfishes

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soarin'

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ralph atl

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ralph atl

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