Hannah Nitrate Reader Question/Salifert Question.

[NitrateKillah]

Evening All!

I am confused here. My Salifert test kit is showing me between 25 - 10 on the color chart. Does this mean its 25.00 and 10.00 and not .25/.10? The reason I ask is because my Hannah is telling between 5.0 and 5.8?

Google is telling me its a good number? So, I like to confirm what is the real number it should be? I read the sweet spot is .03, basically anything under 1.00 is good starting point. Just looking for the right answer in regarding numbers of both readings.

 

[Decamicron Labs Verified Sponsor]

The correct number is the one you get from reading from the top. If you read from the side, multiply the number you read by 10.

There are a lot of sources of noise with these test kits.

 

[Fish Fan]

Just to be clear, are you confusing nitrate and phosphate?

I follow the advice from Randy Holmes-Farley on where to keep your nitrate and phosphate:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/

From that link Randy writes:
"4. What targets seem reasonable? Of course, that depends on all the other factors at play, such as types of corals, availability of ammonia, particulate foods, etc. However, for a mature mixed reef, this would be how I personally would run it:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up."

So, nitrate from about 5.0 ppm to 50.00 ppm is fine for most tanks.

Phosphate between 0.06 and 0.30 ppm is also fine for most tanks.

I'd personally trust the Hanna Checker over the Salifert, but both are fine tests, and your results are not really that far apart, considering both are hobby-level kits, not laboratory instruments, with a margin of error.

I hope this helps!

 

[NitrateKillah]

Just to be clear, are you confusing nitrate and phosphate?

I follow the advice from Randy Holmes-Farley on where to keep your nitrate and phosphate:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/randy’s-thoughts-on-nutrient-target-ranges.1087/

From that link Randy writes:
"4. What targets seem reasonable? Of course, that depends on all the other factors at play, such as types of corals, availability of ammonia, particulate foods, etc. However, for a mature mixed reef, this would be how I personally would run it:

• Let nitrate float between 5 ppm and 50 ppm. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above 50 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by organic carbon dosing, turf or macroalgae, etc.
• Below 5 ppm, I’d begin to dose ammonia or feed more. The target level might drop lower if dosing ammonia, just like the heavy in/heavy out scenario where nitrate may not be as needed.
• Let phosphate float between about 0.06 ppm and 0.3 ppm. This range is higher than I’ve recommended in the past. I’d use gentle export in this range, such as growing macroalgae.
• Above about 0.3 ppm, I’d begin to focus more on reducing it, by turf or macroalgae, or a binder such as GFO or lanthanum (has its own risks to tangs). If a binder: GO SLOW. Turf and macroalgae will typically be slow enough.
• Below 0.06 ppm, I’d begin to dose sodium phosphate or feed more to get the level up."

So, nitrate from about 5.0 ppm to 50.00 ppm is fine for most tanks.

Phosphate between 0.06 and 0.30 ppm is also fine for most tanks.

I'd personally trust the Hanna Checker over the Salifert, but both are fine tests, and your results are not really that far apart, considering both are hobby-level kits, not laboratory instruments, with a margin of error.

I hope this helps!

You are right! I am confusing this for phosphate, thank you!

 

[Fish Fan]

You are right! I am confusing this for phosphate, thank you!

I'm glad I was able to help!

Best of luck!