Test kits for beginners

[Nana Chloropsis]

Hi, I'm Carol and fairly new to reefkeeping. I am glad I found this site to assist people like me with all the many aspects of this hobby! Already I have learned a LOT, just by reading through the forums here, although I admit it would take me days and days to read everything. Plus the fact that I always end up spending WAY more time looking at people's build threads and gorgeous set-ups.

I have been battling phosphate on and off for years and could never figure out the culprit. I have a RODI unit, have only a small bio load, lots of sand bed and live rock, big protein skimmer that works well and all that.

I have test kits for KH, Ca and Mg (ELOS) and another ph and alk test kit (Red Sea) - but no tester for phosphate. I just know when I have it, I start getting green filament algae. I bring a sample into my LFS and they confirm that it's high.

With all the kits on the market, which one would you guys recommend?

 

[mcoomer]

I use Elos and Salifert test kits. My PO4 kit is a Salifert and it seems to work well. Bad thing about test kits is that occasionally you'll buy one that simply isn't accurate. These kits also have a shelf life that you have to pay attention to.

Mike

 

[Krish]

I've always used Salifert. Never had any issues with any of them. Here is a recent poll conducted here. Not very many voters, but a little something you could take a peek at.

http://www.reeffrontiers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57734

 

[jrgilles]

I use ELOS for my PO4 and it seems to work great. System is almost a year old now, and have never seen any phosphates. I give the credit to my refugium, which seems to keep nitrates and phosphates at undetectable levels. Might want to think about adding one in. You can find a lot of easy ways to attach one to your system somewhere. Can do it at very minimal cost also if you just want to put it in some sort of tupperware container or something.

 

[NWDiver]

Welcome to RF!
I have read in many places that it is tough to get an accurate grasp on PO4, because the algae in your system can use it up making the test show 0.
I think your algae growth is the best indicator that it is present in your system.
As Rob says, a refuge is a great place to grow alternate plants to help uptake phosphates.
RODI is good, have you checked the total dissolved solids (TDS) from your RODI unit recently?
I think that over-feeding is another common cause of fuel for algae.
As to test kits, Salifert and Elos are both good.

 

[Nana Chloropsis]

I will be sure and keep a close eye on the dates on my test kits, great tip. A refugium is on my list of Things to Do Next. I believe having one will make a big difference.

Algae growth always happens right after a clownfish hatch. Most times I let the hatch go, therefore I guess " overfeeding" is the culprit. I do not think my veterinarian will do a Ocellaris hysterectomy and if he did, I am sure it would be super $$$$, so water changes will have to do for now.

Is there a link here for "How to Build a Refugium?"

Thanks all for your advice and quick replies!