phosphate tests?

[kennyman]

what kits would you recommend to test phosphate? Some don't seem to measure fine enough.

[BigDaddy]

The LaMotte ones are superb.. but very expensive.

I have gotten fairly good results with the Seachem kits... but if you only grew up with the 8 colour box of crayons like I did, you might have a hard time comparing the lime green against the mint green against the ....   

[groan]

LOL, can you buy just the phosphate tester alone? I am asking because we, i wannt to know...hope this isnt considered a highjack

[AdamN]

I have yet to find a kit that detects any phosphates at all in my tank, and I know they must be present, so if you find one that actually works .... let me know too! 

[BigDaddy]

Lamotte sells the individual tests, yes.  They are probably about as accurate as you are going to get without going to a scientific-grade colorimeter.

[kennyman]

These LaMotte kits look really nice and I was impressed when I stumbled across all the water treatment testing kits for ecology and stuff. Some pretty awesome gadgets! But its $60 for the phosphate kit. That a bit much for my blood. There is a comparason page on Marine Depot and the Sailfert test looks to do a pretty good job testing as low as 0.01ppm and its only $25. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~LM1117.html

I also saw this kit and it look really good as well, but its $80 us    http://www.saltycritter.com/testkits.htm

I have been using phyto regularly and I think I better start keeping an eye on these levels. But I don't know if I'm that worried about it yet 

[redbelly]

I use the salifert test kits and they seem to work well for me. And they certain are not $60 .