a more sensitive phosphate test??

christyf5 · #1 05-17-2003, 01:03 AM

Hey all,

So I've got the Seatest phosphate test. Is there a more sensitive one on the market?? This one says less than 0.2. I assume that is enough to fuel the lovely algae that I have now. I'm starting to wonder if there is phosphate in my makeup water which is just DI not RO.

Christy

Doug · #2 05-17-2003, 01:10 AM

Christy, I have used the Salifert. It was good, I guess. I dont think many of them are good for measuring phosphates except maybe some expensive lab kits.

Aquattro · #3 05-17-2003, 03:01 AM

Christy, I'm gonna bet there is something in your water. You just have too many algae problems!!

christyf5 · #4 05-17-2003, 03:49 AM

Ya this one is wiping out my sps. Lost 2 so far and another one isn't looking so hot.

!@#$ algae!

pocilipora · #5 05-17-2003, 03:50 AM

How old is your sand bed?(Christy)

christyf5 · #6 05-17-2003, 03:59 AM

just over a year. not much life in it till I jumpstarted it a couple of months ago with other peoples sand (at least I didn't see much life in it). Now there's bristleworms and spaghetti worms and feather dusters and stuff. Still not up to snuff compared to others tanks though.

Aquattro · #7 05-17-2003, 04:03 AM

Christy, I would suggest you try to find an RO unit, or buy some water at Overwaite. It's cheap after you've got the bottles.

christyf5 · #8 05-17-2003, 04:06 AM

Well thats the thing. I just talked to someone where I get my water from and he says the water is run through a RO filter and is filtered at 10 megaohms as well as being distilled. I don't understand what is going on. This algae is new. I've never had this kind before. Long stringy and brown (a variation on the short bubbly and brown

)

Aquattro · #9 05-17-2003, 04:08 AM

Have you tested the water for TDS? Sometimes an RO membrane can get put in wrong, or doesn't get replaced when it should. You've had alot of algae problems, and the water seems to be a common factor.

christyf5 · #10 05-17-2003, 04:11 AM

Well I tested the water I used before at 14 whatever on Jacks TDS meter. I haven't had a chance to test this new water I'm using. The other stuff was filtered at 18 megaohms (for chemical assays) the stuff I'm using now is only slightly less filtered. I guess I should check on whether the membranes have been changed lately.