Does time of day matter for testing phosphates and nitrates?

[mbarber87]

Does time of day matter for testing phosphates and nitrates?

 

[Daniel92481]

I’m not sure that it matters what time you test, but when you do, I would try to keep it consistent and test at the same time.

 

[KrisReef]

I think it's allowed all day?

If you are dosing or feeding right before you test I think that might make the results less than clear.

To compare day to day it is a good idea to test at the same time each day. I test before I feed. If the nutrients are too high then dinner rations get cut. Too low and the fish eat twice.

 

[stanlalee]

Most definitely with phosphates. Especially if your using GFO or some form of binder. I can go from 0.06 several hours after feeding in the evening to 0.0 the following morning on the hanna meter.

 

[RedReefer]

Most definitely with phosphates. Especially if your using GFO or some form of binder. I can go from 0.06 several hours after feeding in the evening to 0.0 the following morning on the hanna meter.

I wouldn’t test for 2 hours after feeding. That could give you a false high. Test prior to feeding.

 

[stanlalee]

I wouldn’t test for 2 hours after feeding. That could give you a false high. Test prior to feeding.

Well yeah that was my point in demonstrating time of day matters. I only test after feeding once in a while specifically to trying and capture transient effects from feeding.

 

[Syntax1235]

I know this is an old thread; however, I'm responding because of it's possible relevance to my recent nutrient readings.

I have a 6 week old tank that I have been struggling to keep the Nitrate/Phosphate in what I would consider a "sweet" spot - around 8 Nitrate and .06 Phosphate. I have been dosing the brightwell Nitro and Phos and have been maintaining fairly low nutrients with light dosing, 12ml of the Phos and 20ml of Nitro every couple of days testing before each dose. I have not dosed since Saturday and only dosed around 20ml of Nitro and no phosphate. Today Nitrates tested at 12 and phosphate at .13. My wife fed the tank about an hour before I tested... I wonder if that could influence a test as @RedReefer mentioned?

I recently installed a Green Killing Machine UV on Saturday. Could that raise nutrients somehow?

I guess a 20% water change could fix things, but just wondering how they increased so much.

 

[KrisReef]

Don't change anything, retest tomorrow. Your results should help direct your response and hopefully answer your question?> Wait, and lets see.

Two points can show a trend, one point is just that. Oh, and test before any feeding tomorrow.

 

[PeterEde]

I test when I get home every day same time and give a few minutes to allow for circulation and before feeding

 

[Reefahholic]

Readings will be higher in the morning.

 

[Syntax1235]

Don't change anything, retest tomorrow. Your results should help direct your response and hopefully answer your question?> Wait, and lets see.

Two points can show a trend, one point is just that. Oh, and test before any feeding tomorrow.

Tests were done late morning before feedings…. Lower numbers that make more sense.