How do u measure phosphate/nitrate?

[Acanman]

Hey guys. How do you measure your nitrates and phosphates? Ive been using the API and trying to match the color chart. I notice members who quote actual numbers so im assuming they are using a digital instrument. I would love to hear your thoughts/experiences.maybe its time to upgrade?

 

[steved13]

For Nitrate I use the LaMotte test kit, it has the easiest color compare system for me and for phosphate I use the Hanna checker (It gives a numeric reading).

 

[Acanman]

Thanks Steve!

 

[whippetguy]

I use the Hanna Checker for phosphate as well, but the Red Sea test for nitrates.

 

[Choff]

Same, red Sea + Hannah.

Sent using Tapatalk 2

 

[Acanman]

Nice thnx guys. I got the hanna coming in the mail

 

[Acanman]

For Nitrate I use the LaMotte test kit, it has the easiest color compare system for me and for phosphate I use the Hanna checker (It gives a numeric reading).

Wow the lamotte nitrate kit is pricey! I guess in scheme of things its the price of one nice piece of coral.

 

[nwfd98]

Elos test kits hands down the best. I use low range po4 kit

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2

 

[Acanman]

Elos test kits hands down the best. I use low range po4 kit

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2

Im enjoying the hanna digital phosphate checker. Lamotte nitrate kit coming next week. I may get an elos for another parameter to see how it is.

 

[nicola1on1]

Red sea test kits but I find the colour comparison wheel a bit difficult to decide on the actual reading - for example my nitrate level is somewhere between 1 and 2
I have since acquired a Hannah phosphate digital reader which I much prefer and is a lot less hassle. Wish they had one for nitrate.

 

[Acanman]

Agreed. Hanna digital way to go. I should be getting the lamotte nitrate kit in mail tommorrow. I will give a honest review

 

[steved13]

The LaMotte is pricey, but the refill kits are a little closer to other test kits, so the big hit is only the first time.

 

[Acanman]

Good to know! Im eager to get it already and see what my actual numbers are

 

[Acanman]

BTW i ended up fragging up my beloved red planet colony. So far the frags are ok. I redid some of the rockscape so less dead spots and easier to circulate h2o. I got phosphates down to 0.05. Hoping the CAD reactor i installed in left chamber will get it to zero with phosband media.

 

[Acanman]

K so I got my Lamotte Nitrate test kit today. Gotta say Im a little dissapointed. For $80 was expecting a bit more. Im still having to squint and guess what shade of color im looking at. And the lowest reading you can get is 1.1 if Im not mistaken. I think i will be sending back and getting a Salifert kit orvRed Sea kit for half the price and can detect as low as 0.25 ppm.

 

[Acanman]

Hey guys. For those of you that use Red Sea tester for nitrates, I just got mine. Little confused. The first go round, the tester water came up clear after 9 minutes. The instructions are a little vague but I gathered that a clear test meant my nitrates are greater than 4ppm and I had to dilute 1 ml of tank water with 15 ml RO water and use that as the test water and start over.

So after the drops and 9 min wait I got the light blue color. Which again I kinda gathered my nitrates were hovering around 4ppm according to color chart.

Does all this sound right to you guys or did i goof up?

 

[Acanman]

Little update on the phosphates. Hanna checker tells me Im around 0.15. I recently installed a CAD nano reactor with phosban so im hoping to see lower numbers.