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#2
11/05/2007, 03:00 PM
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When your phosphates start to go up. It can last for months in a tank without much phosphate but can be gone in weeks if the tank has a lot. Really just have to wait till it goes up or do a preemptive change.
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#3
11/05/2007, 03:39 PM
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I have read in a number of places that Phosphate is very difficult to test for properly and that the test kits really don't show a true representation of the levels of Phosphate. If there is a test kit that you know of that is accurate for this, let me know. I heard that Salifert is not accurate along with a few others.
Assuming that it can't be measured accurately, I was wondering what a safe amount of time would be to wait between regularly changing the media to keep the Phosphate levels in check so that they don't rise to a detectable level. I was thinking maybe every month or two?????
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----- Chris ----- |
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#4
11/05/2007, 08:25 PM
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Merck or Deltec test kits are more reliable then most. I bring a digital colorimeter to each meeting and test water samples, and it doesn't lie
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-Joe Why do we ONLY RE-TEST our water when the results are NOT what we want them to be?! |
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#5
11/05/2007, 10:16 PM
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Thanks Joe. I can't seem to find the Deltec test kit and the Merck kit looks kind of expensive ($87). I will definitely bring a water sample to the next meeting for you to check out.
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----- Chris ----- |
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#6
11/05/2007, 11:22 PM
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I can usually tell when it's time to change the media in my phosban reactor when I notice that I have to clean algae off the glass of the tank more often. Usually it's about once a week, but when I notice a slight algae film that I have to clean off every two or three days or so, I know its time to change the media. Certainly not as precise as testing the water with a really good phosphate test kit, but it works.
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Rick |
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#7
11/06/2007, 11:18 AM
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x 2..thats the way I do it too..I haven't tested anything in a long time. I have been a hobbiest for many years now and I'm at the point where I can read the tank, it will talk, and let me know when something is wrong....then I check everything to find out the cause......
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Proud LIRA Member |
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#8
11/06/2007, 11:25 AM
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That is probably the best method to test for phosphates, I have never had much luck with phosphate tests either. As soon as it is there, algae uses it up to grow so you can have low phosphate and still have a lot of algae. I just change the media out every 6 weeks or so myself.
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#9
11/07/2007, 11:00 AM
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This is what I use to test for changes in Po4:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...phosphate&Np=1 IMO, accurate enough if you keep the cuvet clean and free of fingerprint smudges. |
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