Hanna phosphate checker vs Hanna low range phos checker. Help please

[HOTWATER]

I've been hearing that this is a great test kit for accurately detecting your tanks phosphate levels. I've been recently looking at reviews online from vendors that say they are both really good. But from what I understand don't we want to target low range readings? 0.01-0.03. I have the api kit that reads high range and I know it's junk and can't detect these low ranges. So would you all agree that the low range checker is the way to go?

[Tamberav]

I've been hearing that this is a great test kit for accurately detecting your tanks phosphate levels. I've been recently looking at reviews online from vendors that say they are both really good. But from what I understand don't we want to target low range readings? 0.01-0.03. I have the api kit that reads high range and I know it's junk and can't detect these low ranges. So would you all agree that the low range checker is the way to go?

 

Yup, low range, I believe it is ppb instead of ppm so it should be more accurate. You just have to do some simple math to convert it.

[HOTWATER]

Yup, low range, I believe it is ppb instead of ppm so it should be more accurate. You just have to do some simple math to convert it.

Thanks Tamberav, so you have experience with these test kits?

[Tamberav]

Thanks Tamberav, so you have experience with these test kits?

 

I have the low range one. The tests always seem to correlate with what my tank is telling me. My PO4 was 0.1 and I suspected PO4 because after moving I had a GHA bloom but after adding some phosphate remover it went down to 0.02 according to the kit when I tested again later on. The colors of my SPS are becoming very vivid so I would say the test kit is accurate enough.

 

My only wish was that the reagent was liquid and not powder, they come in packets and its so tedious. The checker auto shuts off after I think 2-3 min so its almost like an acquired skill to get it in the vial and shake it up well before the checker turns off.

 

I would say the biggest margin of error is getting all the powder out and not spilling it. If you tested 3 times in a row, you honestly would probably get different but close results, just because of how the powder works. It is impossible to get every granule out of the packet. After awhile you just get used to it, I don't regret my purchase but its not perfect.

[seabass]

Yeah the ULR phosphorus checker is in ppb. So instead of 0.01 to 0.03 ppm of phosphate, the target range would be 3 to 10 ppb of phosphorus. It's slightly more accurate than their phosphate checker, but either will do the job.

[HOTWATER]

Thanks both of you I really appreciate your responses, and your contribution to the forum helping us newer reefers be successful with your knowledge.

[smeagol108]

 

I have the low range one. The tests always seem to correlate with what my tank is telling me. My PO4 was 0.1 and I suspected PO4 because after moving I had a GHA bloom but after adding some phosphate remover it went down to 0.02 according to the kit when I tested again later on. The colors of my SPS are becoming very vivid so I would say the test kit is accurate enough.

 

My only wish was that the reagent was liquid and not powder, they come in packets and its so tedious. The checker auto shuts off after I think 2-3 min so its almost like an acquired skill to get it in the vial and shake it up well before the checker turns off.

 

I would say the biggest margin of error is getting all the powder out and not spilling it. If you tested 3 times in a row, you honestly would probably get different but close results, just because of how the powder works. It is impossible to get every granule out of the packet. After awhile you just get used to it, I don't regret my purchase but its not perfect.

 

tip on dealing with that poweder. fold a small piece of paper in half. dump the power on that (much easier than trying to dump right into vial. than pour from folded paper into vial. this way you can guarantee you got all powder pretty much from the packet.

[seabass]

How to add powdered reagent:

 

How to use the Hanna ULR Phosphorus Checker:

[HOTWATER]

Thanks guys... This might sound kinda dumb but how do you do the math to convert the ppb of the ultra low checker to ppm?

[seabass]

To convert phosphorus in ppb to phosphate in ppm, you multiply by 0.003066 (or 0.003 as a close estimate). But the beautiful thing is, there is no need to convert it; just remember that the target range is 3 to 10 ppb of phosphorus. It's easy to remember.

[sprite]

After watching that second video, I guess I have been doing it wrong the whole time. After I calibrate and pull the sample from the checker I go ahead and activate the 3 minute timer then add the powder and shake, and then add back to checker before the 3 minutes is up.