phosphate tests

Fishnewb1 · 11-05-2006, 10:15 AM

I have a 55 gallon lps and softie tank. Do i need a phosphate test? I am in the proccess of getting a calcium test. Are there any other tests i need besides ph, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and calcium?

thanks,
adam

**Damon** · 11-05-2006, 11:02 AM

Affordable PO4 tests arent very accurate. I've been told to skip them and concentrate on what produces PO4 (tapwater, leftover foods, dead animals) and keep them in check.

jasno999 · 11-07-2006, 06:17 AM

Well I say they are sort of needed but nto really. What I mean by that is if you have an algae outbreak or are havign trouble maintaining algae or water quality they are good to have to see if PO4 is your problem. Then they are good to have as you try to correct it.

However if you are proactive and make sure to only use RO/DI water in the tank, not over feed and use some PO4 remover in your filtration system you should be ok. I have a test kit and used it to determine the RO water I was using still ahd a elevated PO4 reading. So I decided to add PO4 remover to my filter and since then I have seen lower PO4 levels and now I don't even test for it anymore.

11-05-2006, 10:15 AM	#1
Fishnewb1 Future Marine Biologist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 394 User Feedback: (0)	phosphate tests I have a 55 gallon lps and softie tank. Do i need a phosphate test? I am in the proccess of getting a calcium test. Are there any other tests i need besides ph, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and calcium? thanks, adam __________________ 55g Reef 16g of water.

11-05-2006, 11:02 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982 User Feedback: (0)	Affordable PO4 tests arent very accurate. I've been told to skip them and concentrate on what produces PO4 (tapwater, leftover foods, dead animals) and keep them in check. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

11-07-2006, 06:17 AM	#3
jasno999 Aquarium Friend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA - PA Age: 29 Posts: 81 User Feedback: (0)	Well I say they are sort of needed but nto really. What I mean by that is if you have an algae outbreak or are havign trouble maintaining algae or water quality they are good to have to see if PO4 is your problem. Then they are good to have as you try to correct it. However if you are proactive and make sure to only use RO/DI water in the tank, not over feed and use some PO4 remover in your filtration system you should be ok. I have a test kit and used it to determine the RO water I was using still ahd a elevated PO4 reading. So I decided to add PO4 remover to my filter and since then I have seen lower PO4 levels and now I don't even test for it anymore. __________________ Here Fishy Fishy Current Tanks: 10 Gallon FW Livebearer tank 10 Gallon SW Nano-Type Reef 29 Gallon FW Mixed Tank

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