what do you recommend for a phosphate test kit?

[demifelix]

I'm thinking of elos, salifert, seachem, and redsea. Any preference? Seachem can do more test than salifert and at a lower price, but is it a good test kit?

 

[jonboyb]

From what I've heard (and seen in my own tanks), there are VERY few PO test kits sensitive enough to detect trace amounts that can still plague our tanks (and none under like $70). I think the D-D Merc kit is the cheapest and goes down to 0.008 if I recall. Most of the ones I've seen have like a 0 to 0.25 first step and while they will probably register 0, it's not to be trusted.

 

[demifelix]

AndrewG;578447 wrote: Salifert has always been reliable for me.

What have your readings been like Andrew? Does "reliable" mean consistent or accurate? Is it able to show higher readings when it's about time to change your phosguard?

jonboyb;578457 wrote: From what I've heard (and seen in my own tanks), there are VERY few PO test kits sensitive enough to detect trace amounts that can still plague our tanks (and none under like $70). I think the D-D Merc kit is the cheapest and goes down to 0.008 if I recall. Most of the ones I've seen have like a 0 to 0.25 first step and while they will probably register 0, it's not to be trusted.

So is it still worth to get a PO test kit then, or should I just gauge the PO level based on how fast algae shows up in my tank?

 

[jonboyb]

I never bought one personally, I spent the money on a reactor and upgrading my refugium:up: Honestly, algae growth is the prime indicator of a nitrate or phosphate issue, and water changes (while siphoning algae) is the way to fix it. Even if I had the high end PO kit, there's a 99.9% chance I'd never actually use it unless I saw algae start growing, and already knew it was present.

I may be hammered for saying this, but I only monitor SG, Alk, CA, MG, and pH nowadays. Mainly SG and Alk. Keep up with PWC's and don't overfeed and the rest takes care of itself IMO (nitrates and Po that is....I have a SPS/Clam laden tank so obviously I have to supplement trace). I haven't tested nitrates in months and I bet I haven't tested PO at all on my latest tank (now a year old or so). Granted....I run GFO in the reator at all times and the size of my cheato ball is legendary

 

[jcook54]

I wouldn't look at algae growth as a way to judge PO. I use the Salifert test even though it's not as good as more expensive ones. I maintain 0 PO according to the test and haven't had any issues with algae. When it does show PO I change out my GFO. However, when it shows 0 PO I'm still able to grow cheato and GHA in my refugium so there is some present. I haven't had any algae issues in my display (knocking on wood) since I started staying on top of it like this.

 

[jonboyb]

Just looked into the Salifert. It supposedly registers as little as 0.015 so it's certainly better than many of the other cheaper kits. Can't find any info on the Elos kit but I would assume it has a pretty low threshold as well.

 

[gnashty]

I use seachem, super simple to use and not very expensive