Hanna checker phosphate wrong or just me

[allof fish]

So my phosphates have been high or so I was told. I was using a sailer test kit which gave readings in between 0-.05. Then I took a sample to lfs last week and their hanna checker said it was .36. Way off. Added phosguard to help. Got in my own checker today first test .08. Second .03 I was changing a little water bc salinity was slightly low. Took another test to lfs there’s was .44. So very high. Tried another 3 times. Checked for no bubbles no debris followed all steps and got 2 .02 and 1 .03. Could there’s be wrong or cannot I not just do the test. Any help would be great so I can figure my tank Probs out. Thanks all

 

[BryanM]

What phos tester are you using?

testing often comes down to consistency of the tester. It is a bit laborious to make sure everything is just right.

It makes a huge difference to get all of the reagent out of the pacakge.

And then there is the sad reality that sometimes reagants go bad.

NVM, I see hanna, sorry about that.

I would test again (So much fun!), go slow, and make sure all measurements are as close as you can get them.

 

[allof fish]

What phos tester are you using?

testing often comes down to consistency of the tester. It is a bit laborious to make sure everything is just right.

It makes a huge difference to get all of the reagent out of the pacakge.

And then there is the sad reality that sometimes reagants go bad.

Hanna checker same ad there’s. I’ve tested 5 times. 0.08 3 .02 and 1 .03. They had .36 and .44. Same tester. Idk how I’m doing it wrong there’s not way for it to be absolutely perfect clarity. You think out of the 5 times I’ve tried 1 would be close

 

[BryanM]

Hanna checker same ad there’s. I’ve tested 5 times. 0.08 3 .02 and 1 .03. They had .36 and .44. Same tester. Idk how I’m doing it wrong there’s not way for it to be absolutely perfect clarity. You think out of the 5 times I’ve tried 1 would be close

I think I'd take your tester, and your water to the LFS, and ask them to do it side by side with you.

Same tester, different results, same process, seems to me reagent or a testing error on one side or the other.

 

[petcellar]

since your Salifert and Hanna numbers are reasonably close.... it seems as if perhaps the LFS tests are the outlier.

 

[allof fish]

I just did it again and got 0.05 even put a little more water in for the level. I’ve been told my phosphates are too high. Some of my torches have been as good last few months. Was told this is why. Why makes sense but what doesn’t is everything is fine. Gonis hammers. Acans even new sps pieces look good so that doesn’t make sense. But I also have a lot of algae but nitrates are low. Their checker had them at .08 normally around 10 ish but only had 3 fish until now. Now 7. So it makes sense then doesn’t I’m so lost. Been told by where I got torches it’s bc high phosphates same with lfs. But everryone on here says they love phosphates. So I really am lost for what to do. It makes sense but confusing at same time

 

[BryanM]

Full tank pics?

In the end, tank looks good, you’ve got something way more right than wrong!

 

[allof fish]

I meant to say haven’t for torches. But 1 does look good. So it’s werid 2 or 3 don’t but 1 does. But everything else is fine. Tank is 6 months old so I know still some ugly stages just doesn’t make sense to me

 

[allof fish]

Pics of torches. Even tho blue light is on you can tell the bottom 3 don’t look as good as the top one. Why I’m not sure. Been told high phosphates but can I believe that after testing 7 times and getting between .02-.05

 

[BryanM]

Pics of torches. Even tho blue light is on you can tell the bottom 3 don’t look as good as the top one. Why I’m not sure. Been told high phosphates but can I believe that after testing 7 times and getting between .02-.05

Phos .5 and torches, not really a big deal.

Big changes in parameters are, but I’ve had mine well over 1.0 and still kicking

 

[allof fish]

Then I really don’t know why they are how they are. Been that way for 3 months. Everything else is fine too

 

[mmorrison55]

Do yourself a favor and invest in one of these. It will help with your Hannah testing to ensure you are always testing with the same amount of water, so it’s removes one possible variation from your testing.

Amazon product ASIN B01IP5PZWY
Second tip, is to really smack that reagent packet against he side of the table to ensure everything is lose inside and wants to come out when adding to your test vial.

3rd make sure you wipe the vial before inserting into the checker and make sure you orient the vial the same way each time. I like to use the 10ml mark so the 10 always goes in the front.

As Bryan said, inconsistencies usually come from the person doing the testing vs the kit that you use.

 

[allof fish]

Do yourself a favor and invest in one of these. It will help with your Hannah testing to ensure you are always testing with the same amount of water, so it’s removes one possible variation from your testing.

Amazon product ASIN B01IP5PZWY
Second tip, is to really smack that reagent packet against he side of the table to ensure everything is lose inside and wants to come out when adding to your test vial.

3rd make sure you wipe the vial before inserting into the checker and make sure you orient the vial the same way each time. I like to use the 10ml mark so the 10 always goes in the front.

As Bryan said, inconsistencies usually come from the person doing the testing vs the kit that you use.

I did all of that. Made sure I got all the reagent add it shake it and wipe everything that triple. Made sure water was clear then add it. All of them in that range. I don’t see how I’m doing it wrong or is it just theirs. Did salifert too and couldn’t see any color. If it was really that high I feel like I would’ve seen color. Not sure what to think about it nkw