It has been argued one food source is better than another at contributing minimal nutrients to our closed reef systems. I want to determine which is better based on Nitrate and Phosphate levels of each.

The Plan

Protocol

• Dissolve sample in 20 ml RO/DI water
• Shake sample for 2 minutes
• Wait 10 minutes
• Filter Sample
• Dilute Sample with 10 ml RO/DI water
• Filter Sample
• For phosphate test, follow Hanna Low Phosphate Meter instructions
• For nitrate test, follow LaMotte Nitrate Test Kit instructions

Samples To Use

• RO/DI Water (Control)
• Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes (0.4 ml)
• Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Formula (1 cube)
• Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Formula washed with 20 ml RO/DI Water (1 cube)
• Rod’s Food Coral Blend (0.4 ml)
• Tropic Marine Pro-Coral Zooton (0.4 ml)
• Reef Nutrition Oyster Feast (1.0 ml)

The Goal

Determine levels of Nitrates and Phosphates in each sample to determine the best food supplement from sample group for reef tank.

The Hypothesis

Based on common recommendations on some bulletin boards, Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes and Rod’s Food Coral Blend will have the least amount of phosphates with non-rinsed Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Formula having the most amount. All samples would expect to have zero nitrates.

Observations and Information

• For both Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Formula tests, I noticed a blue cloudy substances which separated from rest of sample during the Read Timed step for the Hanna photometer. This may be impacting test results for these samples by under or over stating results depending how sample was read by photometer.
• Implemented the dilution step and second filtration step after a couple phosphate tests indicated zero sample was too dark for proper zeroing. Redid any sample which did not implement these new steps.

Conclusion

Couple unexpected results came from experiment. I did not expect to see 0.02 ppm phosphates from RO/DI Control Water and did not expect Rod’s Food Coral Blend to come out on top. The results for the Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Food for non-rinsed and rinsed did not match hypothesis and suspect testing method but reasonable to believe these results are truly on the high end.

I will complete experiment again in future to validate data and try to resolve discrepancy with the Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Frozen Food.

UPDATE 2010-08-15:
Since doing this test, I have pondered my results and procedures and thought about removing post. I will be the first to say please use extreme discretion with my results as not confident in my test procedures and want to rethink and redo tests in future.

What my concern is I did not allow enough time for all to breakdown in solution. The frozen naturally will be more soluble and concerned my results may be skewed negatively for these. I also did not properly calculate ratio for water sample and food sample compared to tank volumes and average feeding rates.

With that said, it compares to what I have seen elsewhere and discussion on many forums.

DISCLAIMER: The best methodology was used to determine results. Margin of error was not determined.

References

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