Calibration solution for Nitrate and phosphate

[Doc’sReef]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a reference solution for nitrate and phosphate to verify my Hanna and Trident NP tester. I know Fauna Marin used to have a seawater reference product but I think it might be discontinued as It says it is out of stock at all the retailers I use. I don’t know if there is a reliable multi parameter product like this with all the values listed that can be used to see the precision of the testers.
I was told by Neptune that I could not use the included calibration fluid that comes with the Trident NP on the Hanna and unfortunately the values for nitrate and phosphate are not included on the bottle like the regular Trident.
The reason I’m interested is due to the significant variances in readings. I am carbon dosing and my nutrients are on the lower end according to my Hanna checkers and I would not want to mistakenly make adjustments such as using gfo if my Trudent says my nitrate is high but Hanna says it’s low. Was hoping I could also use it to calibrate my Trident NP as well as there is now a manual calibration option available. But the caveat is that nitrate must be 5 ppm and my Hanna says my tank is at 2.9 ppm.

I know the Hanna checker has a set of calibration solutions to verify the checker but they come as prefilled cuvettes so I wouldn’t be able to the fluid to calibrate my Trudent NP.
Just wondering if such a product exists, similar to the one shown below or the solutions we use for our salinity and ph calibration.

Thanks

Saltwater Multi Reference Solution - 100 mL - Fauna Marin

The only reference solution based on a saltwater matrix that includes 8 of the most popular parameters for saltwater aquariums in a single solution. Fauna Marin’s Multi-Reference Solution is used to check your home water test kits for accuracy. Using your water test kits at home, you can measure...

topshelfaquatics.com

 

[edsbeaker]

Hi, It looks like it is in stock at Fish and Coral.
(See edit below)

Multi-Reference Calibration Solution 100 ml Fauna Marin

The Multi-reference Calibration Solution: the go-to saltwater aquarium test kit reference, ensuring precise results with 8 parameters in one solution.

fishandcoralstore.com

EDIT: NEVER MIND! It says “”IN STOCK” and lets you add it to the cart, but if you read the description of the product it states that they are awaiting shipment of them, and wait time is 4 weeks. How is that considered In stock?

Sorry I couldn’t help.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It's a little tricky because it needs to be a seawater solution to properly check a test kit, and it can grow algae or bacteria in it that may use those nutrients up unless there is a preservative.

 

[Doc’sReef]

Hi, It looks like it is in stock at Fish and Coral.
(See edit below)

Multi-Reference Calibration Solution 100 ml Fauna Marin

The Multi-reference Calibration Solution: the go-to saltwater aquarium test kit reference, ensuring precise results with 8 parameters in one solution.

fishandcoralstore.com

EDIT: NEVER MIND! It says “”IN STOCK” and lets you add it to the cart, but if you read the description of the product it states that they are awaiting shipment of them, and wait time is 4 weeks. How is that considered In stock?

Sorry I couldn’t help.

Hey no worries I appreciate you looking into it for me. Yeah most of the shops BRS, Coralvue, TSA all say out of stock so I wonder if it’s really a back order or if it’s been discontinued.
But I appreciate you taking the time to look into it!

 

[Doc’sReef]

It's a little tricky because it needs to be a seawater solution to properly check a test kit, and it can grow algae or bacteria in it that may use those nutrients up unless there is a preservative.

Thanks for your reply.
Even when using sterile water to start off ? As well as an air tight container limiting evaporation and dark packing limiting light entry?
Wish they had a product like this, it would be nice to spot check all our testers to reference levels.
On a side note does that happen to Nitrate and Phosphate values when we send an ICP test in? I believe a few companies offer testing of those values but assuming our tanks are laden with bacteria I would think the values would be inaccurate by the time they test it?


I found these pouches by Hanna but they only offer a nitrate standard and a bit pricy given no other parameters included. It wouldn’t work for the Trident NP however since it does not have phosphate in it to perform the manual calibration unfortunately.

10 ppm and 100 ppm Nitrate (as N) Calibration Standard Sachets for HI9829 (10 x 25 mL each)

10 ppm and 100 ppm Nitrate (as N) Calibration Standard Sachets for HI9829 (10 x 25 mL each) - HI9829-14/15

hannainst.com

I found this product to check the Hanna’s calibration. But again can’t use it in the Trident.

Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Checker® HC Calibration Check Set

The Phosphorus Ultra Low Range Checker® HC Calibration Check Set - HI736-11 provides a stress-free, straightforward way to ensure your handheld colorimeter is working properly and providing accurate phosphorus measurements.

hannainst.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I think it would be better to make and use a standard rather than try to store it and keep it sterile.

I can certainly advise on making standards using new salt water that you determine reads very low in nitrate and phosphate, as can many of our more mathematically inclined members. It just takes a material such as sodium nitrate and any of several sodium phosphate forms (not sodiu
tripolyphosphate).