How do you test phosphate?

[Fisherman Joe]

I find that keeping consistent, low <0.1 ppm phosphate, but not zero, to be super tricky.

I had a reef factory smart tester for a year and it tested PO4 great, then it just stopped working and gives the same result of 0.01 no matter what - cost me about 15 sps colonies before I figured it out too.

I want something simple and ideally automated.

 

[Uncle99]

The only test that ever worked for me was the Hanna UL Phosphorus Checker.

Takes about 5 minutes, end to end.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

The only test that ever worked for me was the Hanna UL Phosphorus Checker.

Takes about 5 minutes, end to end.

True. I keep telling myself this but it puts me off and I know I hate doing it so will be Lazy and won’t.

 

[BryanM]

Hanna here as well.

I have a feeling I'll be a Hydros Maven user when it gets release in 2028.

 

[Bear22]

Hanna checker as well. I find the color tests (e.g., Salifert) to be too vague with interpreting color/chart results.

 

[Acroholic89]

Just use a hanna checker, as mentioned. I like the ultra low one. I try and keep my readings below 15. or about .002 ish