Hanna low range tester help

fishkeeprian · 03/01/2018, 01:45 PM

Hello tested my water 3 times in a row and I got the following results 5ppb (0.015ppm), 0ppb & 2ppb (0.006ppm).

What's going on with my tests?

Should I switch my reactor off?

Thanks

Vinny Kreyling · 03/01/2018, 05:42 PM

Hobby test kits have a + - range, this should be in the instructions.
You are talking ppb, I don't think any kit we use is capable of these measurements.

outssider · 03/01/2018, 06:28 PM

I have used the hanna 736 for many years. It is pretty precise but it's not lab quality so don't expect the exact same reading 3 times in a row... it's just not going to happen!
If you test 3 times in a row and get -0- every time then you can bet you have very low phosphates/phosphorus, close to ZERO. If on the other hand you get the kind of numbers you got, you don't have -0- but very low, probably between 0-5ppb which is pretty precise for a $50 instrument.

Dan_P · 03/01/2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkeeprian

Hello tested my water 3 times in a row and I got the following results 5ppb (0.015ppm), 0ppb & 2ppb (0.006ppm).

What's going on with my tests?

Should I switch my reactor off?

Thanks

Perfectly normal. I think Hanna describes the variation as +/- 5 ppb +/- 5% of the reading. Roughly speaking, a reading of 5 ppm could mean 0 or 10 ppb. Taking 3 readings is a smart thing to do. Take an average.

bertoni · 03/01/2018, 09:28 PM

I agree that the average should be more accurate than a single reading. Those levels are all very close, in hobbyist terms.

fishkeeprian · 03/02/2018, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I agree that the average should be more accurate than a single reading. Those levels are all very close, in hobbyist terms.

With the results I have should I now shut off my reactor?

I do still have a little hair algae and need to clean the glass every couple of days.

I had a reading of 105ppb (0.322ppm) about two weeks ago so it seems it has dropped a lot.

bertoni · 03/03/2018, 03:23 PM

I'd probably let the system be as is. At this point, watching the animals and the algae are all you can do. Test kits don't tend to be helpful down in this range.

fishkeeprian · 03/03/2018, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I'd probably let the system be as is. At this point, watching the animals and the algae are all you can do. Test kits don't tend to be helpful down in this range.

So turn the reActor off or leaving it running.

What phosphate reading should I am for in ppb?

bertoni · 03/03/2018, 04:18 PM

I'd leave the reactor running. As far as the reading in ppb, anything in the 0-10 range is close enough, given the accuracy in our test kits.

rjjr1963 · 03/06/2018, 04:57 PM

Phosphate is not the algae boogie man many people seem to think. Phosphate is an essential part of the reef aquarium and reducing it to miniscule levels can cause more harm than good. I run my phosphate at .1 ppm with no algae problems and very happy coral.

RobZilla04 · 03/06/2018, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjjr1963

Phosphate is not the algae boogie man many people seem to think. Phosphate is an essential part of the reef aquarium and reducing it to miniscule levels can cause more harm than good. I run my phosphate at .1 ppm with no algae problems and very happy coral.

Do you dose carbon? Curious cause I'm at .1 Po4 and 15ish No3. If the minimum algae would go away I'd throw a party.

03/01/2018, 01:45 PM	#1
fishkeeprian Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: England, Earl Shilton Posts: 1,452	Hanna low range tester help Hello tested my water 3 times in a row and I got the following results 5ppb (0.015ppm), 0ppb & 2ppb (0.006ppm). What's going on with my tests? Should I switch my reactor off? Thanks

03/01/2018, 05:42 PM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Hobby test kits have a + - range, this should be in the instructions. You are talking ppb, I don't think any kit we use is capable of these measurements. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

03/01/2018, 09:28 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I agree that the average should be more accurate than a single reading. Those levels are all very close, in hobbyist terms. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/03/2018, 03:23 PM	#7
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably let the system be as is. At this point, watching the animals and the algae are all you can do. Test kits don't tend to be helpful down in this range. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/03/2018, 04:18 PM	#9
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd leave the reactor running. As far as the reading in ppb, anything in the 0-10 range is close enough, given the accuracy in our test kits. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/01/2018, 06:28 PM	#3
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	I have used the hanna 736 for many years. It is pretty precise but it's not lab quality so don't expect the exact same reading 3 times in a row... it's just not going to happen! If you test 3 times in a row and get -0- every time then you can bet you have very low phosphates/phosphorus, close to ZERO. If on the other hand you get the kind of numbers you got, you don't have -0- but very low, probably between 0-5ppb which is pretty precise for a $50 instrument.

03/06/2018, 04:57 PM	#10
rjjr1963 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nebraska/Missouri Posts: 770	Phosphate is not the algae boogie man many people seem to think. Phosphate is an essential part of the reef aquarium and reducing it to miniscule levels can cause more harm than good. I run my phosphate at .1 ppm with no algae problems and very happy coral. __________________ 72x24x16 115 gallon under construction Current Tank Info: 40 gallon reef