Phosphate test

Hey guys I know there is a thread about what nitrate/phosphate test kits to use. I have never tested phosphate on my tank and am not having algae issues but was thinking about getting a cheap kit, no hanna checkers for me. I always sued API for my FW tanks and even when setting up my SW tank but do find the red sea pro to be better quality which is why I use them for CA, Mag, Alk, and nitrate.
The API phosphate test is 8 bucks is it even worth it or are the results so unreliable there is no point in wasting the money?

 

seachems kit is only 10bucks prob a better one to use but still not sure if its worth it, I do use tap water though when makes me think I should test for it

 

If I had to choose between the two, I would choose neither. I have yet to see a test kit that give a reading that would matter for a reef tank. The readings that we are concerned with won't even show up on those.

 

don't waste your money unless you are gonna get a hanna checker I can't read the one I have and plan to get a hanna

 

thats what I figured, I wanted to see if I even have phosphate and figured it could tell me if its zero, low or high at least if not giving me an exact number

 

I was in the same boat as you a few days ago. I ended up getting the Hanna yesterday and I am very impressed! Well worth the 50 bucks!

 

I am curious too about the Hannah checker. I have used the seachem phosphate kit and thought it worked ok. When I knew I had phosphates because of algae it confirmed since then it has shown zero. But I totally agree with gcarrol in that what is zero to these tests, obviously not absolute, so how far off are they.
But what about the two different Hannah checkers for phosphate ,
One is 50 bucks, whilst the other is 200. I have read great things about the more expensive checker, but is the cheaper one still good?

 

Overall I have been very happy with it, my last kit said I was at zero phosphate verses the Hanna says I'm at .19ppm.

 

Yes; the $50 version is fine for our purposes. The $200 version has been around a lot longer, but it's really overkill for most people's needs. Prior to the inception of the $50 version, it was the only good option.