reef-factory smart tester phosphate - experience

[nickng]

I've been using the reef-factory smart tester to test the phosphate levels in my tank for ~3 weeks now and like to report my experience with the tester.
My tank is a IM 100EXT with the RFS sump. It's currently a low nutrient setup. Total water volume estimated to be around 110 gallons based on amount of saltwater used to fill the tank up. When measured with the Hanna HI774 and HI782 typical phosphate levels are 0.05 and nitrates are ~ 2.5 to 5 ppm. I double check with the salifert nitrate test and get approx the same value as seen with the Hanna nitrate tester. However the salifert P04 test barely registers ~ 0.015ppm based on high sensitivity test.

On the reef-factory smart tester however, I get readings of 0.01ppm and 0.00ppm. Whenever I dose ~ 5ml of brightwell neophosphate, the reef-factory will jump up by ~ 0.01ppm and within 24hrs it drops back down by 0.01ppm. But I cannot get a consistent reading with Hanna tester, it either shows no change or fluctuates around 0,05ppm

My worry is that I have too little phosphates in my tank ie close to 0 ie less than 0.01ppm

 

[nickng]

I decided to test the reef factory and hanna by doing a controlled test.

Prepared large tank of fresh saltwater using RODI@ 1.026SG - measured with tropic marin hygrometer @ 77F
checked the new saltwater with reeffactory, salifert, Hanna.

take out 1gallon of water and add exactly 0.05ml of Neophosphate and test the mix.
Repeat with new 1 gallon of saltwater and increase dosage to 0.1ml and test mix
Repeat with 0.15ml and 0.3ml of neophosphate.

For reference 0.05ml of neophosphate will raise phosphate in 1 gallon of water by 0.0132ppm

 

[nickng]

These are the reults I got.

Screenshot from reef-factory app, each vertical space is 0.01ppm

 

[nickng]

the smart tester is very accurate and precise based on the test.
I did try to do the Hanna test as accurately as possible ie using same side of glass vial and flushing with rodi and wiping clean etc. However the results are a bit more variable.

 

[nickng]

Just ran a spot test using a red-sea phosphate pro testkit.
Using my tank water, Reef-factory smart tester reporting 0.01ppm and redsea phosphate test close to 0.02ppm
Using fresh mixed saltwater with know phosphate level of 0.067ppm, redsea test came out at 0.08ppm
Hanna tester read 0.06ppm on my tank saltwater. Beginning to feel that the Hanna testers aren't that accurate.

 

[pooootiqe]

That's very impressive performance of the Smart Tester!

I do wonder if the Hanna ULR phosphate (ppm) isn't as well calibrated to very low concentrations as the ULB phosphorus (ppb). My HI736 reports 10 ppb (0.03 ppm PO4) pretty consistently.

 

[kriskool123]

The reef factory tester is awesome just for the PO4 test, i have been running it auto testing once a day for the last year... if you need spare parts order it directly and it is much cheaper... clean your cuvette with citric acid every month or 2 and let it soak overnight and you will be good. The reef factory sample line and waste water pump heads fail and cuvette is difficult to clean overtime since reagent stains the glass so you can buy these 2 parts direct from reef factory in europe if you want to have spares on hand.

 

[nickng]

The reef factory tester is awesome just for the PO4 test, i have been running it auto testing once a day for the last year... if you need spare parts order it directly and it is much cheaper... clean your cuvette with citric acid every month or 2 and let it soak overnight and you will be good. The reef factory sample line and waste water pump heads fail and cuvette is difficult to clean overtime since reagent stains the glass so you can buy these 2 parts direct from reef factory in europe if you want to have spares on hand.

Thanks for the tip. I'm planning to clean the cuvette every quarter. The only problem I had so far is the tubing on one of the reagent pumps had a pinhole in it and leaked minute amounts. The tester was complaining about not being able to add reagent A. Had me stumped for a while so I took out the reagent pump head and found out the tube was leaking a minuscule drop.

 

[kriskool123]

Thanks for the tip. I'm planning to clean the cuvette every quarter. The only problem I had so far is the tubing on one of the reagent pumps had a pinhole in it and leaked minute amounts. The tester was complaining about not being able to add reagent A. Had me stumped for a while so I took out the reagent pump head and found out the tube was leaking a minuscule drop.

what did you use for replacement tubing?

 

[nickng]

what did you use for replacement tubing?

Well I just ended swapping the tubing from the 3rd pump as it wasn’t used for phosphate tests. I haven’t bothered getting a tubing replacement at the moment.
Reef factory offered to send a replacement but they needed a scan of the original receipt. Since I bought the item off another reefer on this forum and he couldn’t find the receipt, I kind of forgot about the whole thing.

 

[Naturalreef]

Smart tester has been very accurate for me as well. Hoping the servers stay up for a long while…..

 

[Billyreef-ita]

Same experience for me, very precise, I have the feeling that with the proper maintenance could be even more precise than Hanna.
I do hope they continue in some form their activity

 

[nickng]

Unfortunately Reef factory announced bankruptcy. Hoping the servers for the testers stay on.

Reef Factory bankrupt – what happens now? All the details

Reef Factory is bankrupt! What happens now? Find all the information in our article on how to handle the coming months

www.danireef.com

 

[Billyreef-ita]

Yes I was referring to that. So far servers still working

 

[grenife]

My smart tester currently has a loose connection, so I guess I'll take it off as I don't think customer service will be back again during bankruptcy proceedings:-(

 

[Billyreef-ita]

to be honest, connection has always had problems. Mine continues working well, strangely even better than other periods

 

[bubbgee]

Dang. This makes me want to buy it since it just got restocked at SaltwaterAquarium.com and has a $200 discount. But the risk is no customer support or future reagents....

 

[Naturalreef]

Dang. This makes me want to buy it since it just got restocked at SaltwaterAquarium.com and has a $200 discount. But the risk is no customer support or future reagents....

If you change your mind, I have a brand new unopened smart tester and 4 head smart doser I’ll sell for $300 shipped.

 

[bubbgee]

If you change your mind, I have a brand new unopened smart tester and 4 head smart doser I’ll sell for $300 shipped.

I will pick up on your offer once I get clarity on their support lol.
I did read your posts about your experience with it and that's why I wanted to get one.