checking for phosphates in my "fresh water"

[reeferkeeper420]

I checked the water i use for top off and mix with this hanna checker that i just bought today. My tank is at .14 and my top off is .17!! Is this for real will i get an accurate reading with freshwater? Start looking for a new water source?

 

[Pistol]

Hanna says their checker is for seawater and it is not tested with pure water.

 

[Boga]

Hanna says their checker is for seawater and it is not tested with pure water.

+1

Are you using a Phosphate checker or Phosphorous checker?

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Phosphate checker. Ok so i shouldnt over react then. The only way ill get to know whats in my water is with a tds meter, correct me if wrong.

 

[Pistol]

Ya, go by your TDS meter and color indicators if you use color changing DI media.

 

[Boga]

I see you live in Ingersoll. If you "feel" for a drive, you can borrow my TDS meter for few days.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Wow thanks boga, the offer is greatly appreciated. Unfortunately i dont have a license so itll be up to my mom to  drive my ass lmao.And i dont have my own rodi system yet..probably one of my next purchases before i start putting money into the empty 180gallon i bought lol. I buy my water from a outdoor water dispenser. So im probably not getting the best water. Jusr tryin to get this stupid cyano undercontrol and gone before it starts killing corals.

 

[Boga]

OK. Sorry about that. Is not worth to bother your mom for this TDS only.

I hate to see corals dying. I live just 3 minutes from 401 in Dorchester. If you provide containers (jugs), I can fill them with RODI water until you get your RODI system going. Considering that you will buy one RO/DI for yourself soon enough LOL. I can help you with up to 20 gallons per week. No charge.

 

[Pistol]

Chemiclean can rid you of cyano while you get your water quality under control, it's pretty cheap, better than dead corals.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Thatd be awesome, ill have to keep that in mind. I have to do something because this cyano is getting progressively worse. I went to london today to sealife central to buy my hanna checker which im really glad he pointed me towards
, but unfortunately had no gfo at the time. And then went to go to big als quick but calldd first and they didnt have any either. So unfortunately i cant start aggressive gfo use right now . And yeah ive heard of chemiclean and seen it today actually but i want to try to get it under control with water params before i have to resort to a chemical.

A side question, does or has anyone used h20 salts?

 

[nexusnight]

i use h20 its eems good and keeps params [alk,cal.mag] at good levels without the need to mess with the water. supposed to be one of the best salts i guess. i think unibob is going to it aswell

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ok just wondering because i just bought a 160 pail yhis aft.

 

[davesolo29]

Re: checking for phosphates in my "fresh water"

If you are buying from a dispenser you are only getting RO water.  No DI stage.  So your Tds will be anywhere from 10-40 ppm. 
Most water stores have never heard of a di stage. 


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[reeferkeeper420]

I swear on the sign it says it has a deionization step..not 100% sure but i know it goes through 6stages.

 

[Pistol]

Check to make sure they aren't re-mineralizing it

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Ok thanks.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Should thrre be phosphates in saltwater that ive mixed? Would that give me an idea of the level of phosphates im puttin into my tank through top off and waterchanges? Or is this still not very accurate?

 

[Duke]

Phosphate checker. Ok so i shouldnt over react then. The only way ill get to know whats in my water is with a tds meter, correct me if wrong.

You can't judge phosphates in r o water with a tds meter..  Even if your reading  .1 ppm on the Hanna.. Any and all tds meters are going to give u a big 0 ppm,  our local to water place has a sign that says always under 4ppm..usuall tests around 1ppm... No di stage would be used for drinking water.. It's not healthy to drink di water.