Is this even possible...?

[Pickle_soup]

I just tested it again, the same color. No food since 6 a.m.. I'll order another test kit. Any recommendations?

 

[Uncle99]

The Salifert test is not fine enough to accurately measure phosphate.
Only Hanna has ever worked for me.

 

[Pickle_soup]

The Salifert test is not fine enough to accurately measure phosphate.
Only Hanna has ever worked for me.

I might stop being a cheap butt, and actually try it. Does that mean I should expect even higher PO4 than the 2 I am showing?

 

[Icryhard]

I just retested, and same results.

What is the testkit for PO4? If it's Salifert, those are kind of trash. RedSea PO4 testkit is much better. At about .7 the salifert test kit returns 0 to give you an indication. The NO3 etc. are fine, but the PO4 not so much for some reason.

 

[tomtheturkey]

The Salifert test is not fine enough to accurately measure phosphate.
Only Hanna has ever worked for me.

I second this

 

[jason2459]

I wasn't impressed by Salifert for PO4.

PO4 Phosphate Test Kit Shoot out: NYOS Elos Pro Salifert Hanna Checkers Seachem

Here we go again. Testing out several different brands of Phosphate test kits. This is a continuation of several other testing sprees I've been doing recently. Currently my go to kit for phosphates is my Hanna ULR Phosphorus checker. Going into this shoot out I didn't foresee that changing. BUT...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[brclark82]

When my tank was around 6 months old I ran 1.0-1.5 phosphates with nitrates only around 10-15…I wasn’t running a skimmer at the time…I bought a skimmer and did a few water changes and it came back down to normal levels after a couple weeks…will probably take a little bit depending how long it has been high though because that phosphate will be bonded to your rock and sand will will need to be removed also

 

[Pickle_soup]

Thank you guys for all your help. I never really concerned myself with PO4 previously as all my softies looked great and the fish were fine. But because I am taking a different approach with this tank, my priorities changed.