HI713 Phosphate Low Range Checker® HC

I kept looking at this product over and over again. At almost 70 bucks I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend that much to check just one parameter. However, I finally gave in and bought it. NOT ONE REGRET! This is a must have for any reef aquarium. Being able to check ultra low range phosphate levels is crucial to the survival and growth of corals. This little gadget is well worth the money. Testing with it is very easy and fast. This sure beats having to guess and match the color on the little test tube and chart from other test kits. Also this gives a definite parameter reading. Thanks to this Hanna tester I can have my phosphorus in check. My corals are really appreciating it. I will definitely love to and am looking forward to hopefully being able to get the other Hanna checkers once the budget permits it. 5 out of 5 highly recommend. If you’re thinking about it, DO IT, buy this!

I picked up this unit as i was sick of trying to read 10 shades of light blue for other tests i have purchased. Comes in a nice box with everything you need to test (though i wish more than 6 came with the unit). Always a slight learning curve but i find it much easier than other tests. Few things to note from use and online reading: -use the same vial for blank and testing (if the glass gets stained slightly or dirty, it will zero the unit improperly) -wipe off the vial prior to blanking and reading -have the packet ready to add so that as soon as blanking is done, you can mix in the powder. After two minutes the unit shuts off so best to ready. I can't comment on how accurate this unit is vs other tests or repeatable as i have not tested this. I can only say i really just go for relative numbers on my saltwater tank, not down to the second digit. Only negative would be getting the powder in is a bit of pain but not the end of the world.

I have an sps dominated reef and it is an absolute must to know what phosphate levels are in order to maintain optimal coloration of sps corals. Too high and the corals will turn brown and ugly. Too low and you will most likely see very slow growth, so there is a range that corals should be kept in. I shoot for .02-.03 normally. Saying that, I have tried many different test kits. All of the manual test kits are rather lengthy to use and the process is a big pain. Things need to be timed and measured and counted and you need a calculator etc etc. Those test kits aren't cheap either. If you think of buying and trying two or three test kits you would have paid for this. There are other meters out there. They are called photometers. Most of them are lab tools and are pricey $200+. They work good I have used them before but I don't think the difference between these and one of the lab intended units is worth the price difference. This unit is consistent and easy to use. I didn't give it 5 stars because when I was trying to open the unit to put the battery in, the tab on the unit broke! Before I even got to use it once. I was so disappointed in myself. I wasn't pulling hard but it happened. The unit is still usable, it's just a little more of a pain and not the way it would be had I not broke it. It is possible there was a crack before hand from the factory because I feel like if it really is this flimsy there is a problem (so the 4 stars instead of 5). I can't really ask for an exchange since I think I actually did break it, but like I said maybe it was cracked or something before. I just can't see the unit being that easy to snap. If you have a reef tank do yourself a favor and buy this or any of the Hanna meters but... BE CAREFUL opening it to put the battery in!

Product arrived used and missing parts.

This is the only Hanna tested out of the three I've tried that seems to be consistent. I've tried the Calcium and the Alk test. Both which I did not care for and stopped using. The phosphate test is simple to use. I was not happy at all with the amount of tests it came included with. The calcium tested came with a lot I don't remember how many but the Phosphate came with I believe 6. Overall it's a decent test but for the price I would go with another brand.

I have been impressed with the accuracy of this meter. I had used the API test kits for some time and there were some issues with the readings when I compared them to my local LFS. So I paid the extra cash for this device and have been impressed. It's a quick and simple process. My only complaint is that I wish the replacement packets were cheaper or you received more. Otherwise this is a good buy for the committed hobbyist.

i have a reef aquarium. I use the best test kit that available. the red sea test kit. its so hard to get an accurate reading when you're trying to match colors. when the color for 0 is so close to the color for 0.08. so I tried this as my first digital tester. I love it. worth the money and makes testing as accurate as possible.

works fine