Is there a phosphate test that you don't have to match to a color?

[clownfool]

I have an API phosphate test kit. I guess I have bad eyes because I can't tell the color difference on the comparison chart.

Is there a decent test kit that would change colors to indicate the phosphate level?

[luv951]

not sure about the test question, but you might want to look below. You should see numbers in each circle.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/cornroller/colour_test.jpg

[clownfool]

I forgot to mention that on the API phosphate test kit, it has 7 different colors to measure against. If phosphate is lower than 1.0, that is the 3 colors I can't tell the difference. If it's at 2.0 or higher, I can tell easy. I'm not color blind.

[clownfool]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13989427#post13989427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luv951
not sure about the test question, but you might want to look below. You should see numbers in each circle.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/cornroller/colour_test.jpg




I can see all of them easyly. The only one I had to look at for a couple seconds is the 29

[Sk8r]

Not to be facetious, but the quickest test for the presence of phosphate specifically is the presence of algae. It's not a test I usually need to run because if I have any algae in the display---it's a problem.

When I worked in a lab, with a guy who did have a color perception problem, working on a strong color change solution (Salifert would be one such) it seemed to help to be working from the top of the test tube under strong light, looking down onto the bottom of the tube against white paper. There is generally a point where a drop produces a 'flash' of color change, and a few drops on, a significant change in opacity as well as color. I don't know if that could help you, but I offer it in case.

[GeoffM1968]

Yes, is there a solution for people like me who can not see the letters in those blots? I have to rely on my wife on most of the colors. I have been told several of my retinal cones do now properly differentiate colors.

[clownfool]

Does anyone know if the


Red Sea Phosphate Mini-Lab Test Kit



work OK? It's color chart has a pretty big difference in the color chart.

[malarkey1968]

ok, now for those of us that can't see but 1 of the numbers in the circles, besides going digital what brand of test kits would be the easiest to use.
thanks
Chris

[FranktheTankTx]

I have the API test kits too... and they work great. The only one I have a problem with is the PO4 test. After 0.0 it's next range is .25. If you have .25 PO4 then you have a massive algae problem - I mean MASSIVE!! As reefers, we try to maintain PO4 below .04. API PO4 test just plain sucks - but all the other ones are just fine.

[michaeldaly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13989427#post13989427 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luv951
not sure about the test question, but you might want to look below. You should see numbers in each circle.

http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/ff1/cornroller/colour_test.jpg

I seiously can not see number 6 at all, 45 and 8 took a while.

[markhilken]

Yeah #6 needed to be stared at for awhile till I got it.

[xJake]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=15437

Or if you can get access to a spectrophotometer then you could always use that.

[Kenmx10]

Same problem here with the API Phosphate kit. Hard to make out the color. It seems to change colors depending on how you look at it. I let it sit for about an hour, then come back. It becomes more stable then. I will try tetra next time.

[luv951]

Just for the record, I was not trying to insult the OP, a lot of people have some form of colorblindness and many don't even realize it.

I see every number clearly, if you have trouble with any of them, you have at least a mild colorblindness with certain shades.

[GeoffM1968]

Or if you can get access to a spectrophotometer then you could always use that.

I hate to think the cost but what spectrophotometer is everyone using for marine environment?

[xJake]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13990912#post13990912 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GeoffM1968
I hate to think the cost but what spectrophotometer is everyone using for marine environment?

Really it's more of whatever you can get your hands on than anything. I've seen used models on ebay go for less than $1k. They all work in essentially the same way, and as long as it can read visible light (i.e. the colors from a test kit) then chances are it's worth looking into. The Toledo Zoo Aquarium has one, and it provides extremely accurate results that don't rely directly on human vision and cognition for interpretation (a very good thing in this case).

[clownfool]

What is a spectrophotometer? and what is it used for? If it's for testing phosphate, is that all it tests for? I looked up spectrophotometer on google and don't see it.