Hanna Colormeter question

[badbones]

I just bought one and the unit read .02 Is this the value that I need to go by, or do I need to convert this into another value for the true reading.. I did not see this in the manual, so I know someone here must know.

Also I am looking into the Medusa colormeter that reads the nitrite, ph nitrate, and ammonia. Anyone know of these and how are the results. I just have a difficult time on color changes. Somewhat colorblind

Thanks
Tony

[Znut Reefer]

You go by the 0.02 on the Hanna. Just got one last week also. Mine was 0.03 but PO4 was 0.04 before adding a PO4 remover to the system a week before.

I don't know anything about the Medusa colorimeter.

[badbones]

Now the next question.

Do you think .02 is fine?? Or should I strive for the big 0 by adding a remover. I am getting bryopsis in one of my frag tanks and its just getting worse. Not sure of the nutrient source. the tank also has a ton of flow.

[Znut Reefer]

I would add a small amount . In otherwords half the recommended amount. And check your PO4 again. I plan to get mine down a little lower also. If you have some algae growing it could be the P04 or a high Nitrate level.

So I would still try to lower the PO4 and see if it has any effect on the algae.
I would also try to pull as much of it out as you can by hand first. Don't let any get away it will spread anywhere it lands on the rock.

[badbones]

I will try the phosar this weekend to see how it works. Was actually thinking 1/3 dosage just to be safe and keep it slowly removing.

Here is the link to the medusa colormeter
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/brandsubcategory.asp?brandid=MD&subcatID=di-cdm

[Znut Reefer]

I checked the link. I would just buy the Salifert test kits. Alot cheaper and they are accurate. You should not need any of the other tests. Most people only test:

Alk (DKH) Salifert
Calcium Salifert
Mag Salifert
Phos PO4 Hanna colorimeter
Ph (get a PH monitor for like $80 bucks) PinPoint Marine

You can test for Nitrate, but the others are not needed for a well established reef tank. I can't tell you the last time I tested for Nitrate. Just do reg water changes and montior the levels I mentioned and you are are set.

[poknsnok]

i get .00 and .001 consistently on my hannah. I always test twice when I do my weekly tests... Never got any reading on my salifert po4 kit.. at first I got .04 when I got the meter but good husbandry and rinsing food i got it down..

[slojmn]

I feel the hannah colormeter is much more accurate than the Salifert test. I always read 0 on Salifert then got the hannah colormeter and started with readings of .15 :eek2:. I am now running .03 this week. Some weeks it gets up to .06-.08, which leads me to feed a little less and it backs right down.