Hanna Phosphorus ULR vs Phosphate ULR

[gordoncheers]

What are the differences? Do they test for the same thing?

 

[marbdo]

They test different things. But if you multiply your phosphorus value by 3.066, then divide it by 1000 you get the phosphate value. And apparently it’s more accurate

 

[DanyL]

That’s a common misconception.

The Phosphorus ULR and Phosphate ULR checkers use the same test chemistry and measure the same thing - phosphorus, which, in the Phosphate checker, is then converted using the same fixed multiplier (3.066) to display phosphate. The reagents are also interchangeable.

The main difference is that the Phosphorus checker reports results in ppb with higher resolution, while the Phosphate checker rounds the converted result to two decimal places due to display limitations. This doesn’t make it more accurate - both have similar error margins, but the Phosphorus checker gives a more detailed readout (though needs a manual conversion).

Whether that extra resolution is actually useful is debatable. But given the margin of error, I personally think it isn’t.

 

[gordoncheers]

G

That’s a common misconception.

The Phosphorus ULR and Phosphate ULR checkers use the same test chemistry and measure the same thing - phosphorus, which, in the Phosphate checker, is then converted using the same fixed multiplier (3.066) to display phosphate. The reagents are also interchangeable.

The main difference is that the Phosphorus checker reports results in ppb with higher resolution, while the Phosphate checker rounds the converted result to two decimal places due to display limitations. This doesn’t make it more accurate - both have similar error margins, but the Phosphorus checker gives a more detailed readout (though needs a manual conversion).

Whether that extra resolution is actually useful is debatable. But given the margin of error, I personally think it isn’t.

Got it. So both would be fine for testing my phosphate levels?

 

[DanyL]

G

Got it. So both would be fine for testing my phosphate levels?

Yes, perfectly fine.

 

[marbdo]

That’s a common misconception.

The Phosphorus ULR and Phosphate ULR checkers use the same test chemistry and measure the same thing - phosphorus, which, in the Phosphate checker, is then converted using the same fixed multiplier (3.066) to display phosphate. The reagents are also interchangeable.

The main difference is that the Phosphorus checker reports results in ppb with higher resolution, while the Phosphate checker rounds the converted result to two decimal places due to display limitations. This doesn’t make it more accurate - both have similar error margins, but the Phosphorus checker gives a more detailed readout (though needs a manual conversion).

Whether that extra resolution is actually useful is debatable. But given the margin of error, I personally think it isn’t.

Learn something new everyday

 

[MNscoe]

So I have the HI736 ULR Phosphorus test and accidentally ordered the HI774 ULR Phosphate reagent. I did a back to back test with my last 736 reagent and a 774 reagent. They both read ZERO. So on the one hand, good consistent results using two different reagents. As a beginner though, I'm worried that my Phosphates (which were 0.025ppm two weeks ago) are at zero. Is that normal? Is it OK?
My 55 gallon tank is 3 months old, 4 fish, good sized clean-up crew, four new-ish soft corals, very small. I was just on vacation for a week with an autofeeder with low-level amounts of pellets. Came back to some algae growth and zero phosphate. Nitrates are also zero, nitrites zero, ammonia zero.
Weird? Or lucky/happy? :-)