Phosphates doing weird things between tests

[painfullycurious88]

I'm in a bit of a quandary as my phosphates differ significantly between test kits.

Current Numbers:
Fritz Test Kit API
Alk: 7 Alk 8
Cal: 500 Cal:440
Pho: 1.0 Pho:<.25
Nitrate: 15 Nitrate: not measurable

Food: PE Mysis & Rods Herbivore blend in a daily rotation once daily.
Equipment: Protein Skimmer, Chemipure Elite, Purigen, Matrix (not carbon).

I've had the phosphates rechecked multiple times over a week at the LFS to compare against mine, and there is a significant discrepancy.

Actions taken between checks: 45% water change & vacuumed sand, used a phosphate removing pad, decreased food amount & frequency. My problem is I don't know what to trust & and I don't want to completely 0 out my tank.

Today I dosed phosphate remover, and I'll do another 45-50% water change Monday.

My issue is that I don't know what test kit to trust. All my coral are opening up beautifully, and I have minimal algae. This leaves me deeply confused.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Toss the API tests in garbage and that will solve your dilemma. I would not make any changes to my tank based on API tests.

With that said, for phosphate I would recommend the hanna tester, I find its the most accurate.

There are several ways to remove phosphate and nitrate, personally I don't agree with feeding the fish less, its not their fault.

 

[gbroadbridge]

I'm in a bit of a quandary as my phosphates differ significantly between test kits.

Current Numbers:
Fritz Test Kit API
Alk: 7 Alk 8
Cal: 500 Cal:440
Pho: 1.0 Pho:<.25
Nitrate: 15 Nitrate: not measurable

Food: PE Mysis & Rods Herbivore blend in a daily rotation once daily.
Equipment: Protein Skimmer, Chemipure Elite, Purigen, Matrix (not carbon).

I've had the phosphates rechecked multiple times over a week at the LFS to compare against mine, and there is a significant discrepancy.

Actions taken between checks: 45% water change & vacuumed sand, used a phosphate removing pad, decreased food amount & frequency. My problem is I don't know what to trust & and I don't want to completely 0 out my tank.

Today I dosed phosphate remover, and I'll do another 45-50% water change Monday.

My issue is that I don't know what test kit to trust. All my coral are opening up beautifully, and I have minimal algae. This leaves me deeply confused.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Pick one test kit and stick with it, otherwise you will go nuts.

Having said that, I agree with the above - toss any API kits into the trash.

The Hanna ULR Phosphate test is the most consistent kit, so I use that for Phosphate. Salifert for everything else.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

FWIW, if you want to lower phosphate, water changes are not generally a good way due tot eh amount bound to rock and sand. You can do a 100% change, and still have significantly elevated levels a day later when some of that desorbs.

 

[Reefahholic]

Hanna ULR “Phosphorus” is the most consistent and best checker on the market.

Let the tank stabilize for several days, and start checking the P daily at same time each morning or evening. Then you will get accurate results.