HagenKB

Phosphate Test Kit - PO3 vs. PO4

What is the difference between PO3 and PO4? Does the Phosphate Test Kit test for both?

What is the difference between PO3 and PO4? Does the Phosphate Test Kit test for both?
PO43- is one form of orthophosphate, because it is also possible to find H2PO4- and HPO42-. All are phosphate compounds that our test kit can read. The ratio between them depends on different factors, such as pH.

PO3 is a Phosphonate, and it is normally not present in aquarium water. It could come in the aquarium with some special and hard medications or algaecides. The PO3 compound is not stable and it will be rapidly oxidized by oxygen to be transformed into Phosphate (PO4). I have never tested with our phosphate kit, we do not have material in the laboratory to verify, however do not expect to be able to read PO3 with our test kit.

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