Best time to test water?

[Zero Nitrates]

Keeping a reef tank has a lot to do with maintaining water parameters with that in mind is there a best time to test parameters?
Before water changes or after water changes?
Before lights come on or after lights have been on a while?
I do mine all at the same time and am wondering if I should test at different times of day for different parameters.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

I was thinking it would be best to test nitrates right before water changes.

And testing pH and alkalinity at the end of the day when the lights have been on all day.

I would like to see what other people do.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I always tested mine in the evening.

 

[LOVETHISHOBBY]

I generally test when the lights are on, but I also test ph and alk when the lights off just to make sure there isn't too big of a swing.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Thanks Rev and Love!

 

[Sacohen]

I generally test in the afternoon/evening, but the key, not matter when you do it, is consistency.
If you do it in the morning, then always do it in the morning, otherwise you are comparing apples to oranges.

I also think the you should test before water changes to see what your levels are or have been at. Testing after is a good idea if you had high levels before and want to see if the water change was enough to correct you problem or you need to take other measures.

 

[Trevor40]

After water changes and then I strive to keep them stable to what they tested at after the wc. As stated above consistancy is key as well as getting new test kits every year in order to avoid wrong numbers.

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Thanks Sacohen and Trevor!
I noticed the expiration dates on the test kits.
I wish they lasted longer because I test monthly.

 

[kes]

I would try to keep testing at the most convenient time, this way, you will do it at similar times for consistency of test results - i.e, PH, alkalinity, etc.

 

[Trex]

I would suggest testing at the same time, each time you test. Will be easier to compare apples to apples.

With pH this is very important since the value will vary greatly b/t middle of light cycle and middle of night cycle.

 

[glb]

I usually test after a water change. I check ph daily, sometimes at different times. It's easy with a monitor.

 

[Matt Ziemer]

I always check both before and after water changes. My thinking is, I want to see how "bad" the water got since the last water change, and then the improvement after the change. Haven't really thought about time of day, but since I always do the water changes in the afternoon, I accidentally built this consistency in!

 

[Mr tap water]

Hi there
I think its best to test one day after your water charge by doing this allows your new water to mix properly with your tank Water and then test the same time every week to see if there's any variances

 

[Zero Nitrates]

Thanks kes, trex, glb, matt and Mr tap.

 

[glb]

Hi there
I think its best to test one day after your water charge by doing this allows your new water to mix properly with your tank Water and then test the same time every week to see if there's any variances

This is probably the best idea.