How often do you check alkalinity

[b4tn]

My alk tends to fluctuate up to +\- 1 dkh depending on what’s going on in the tank. I can have my alk stay a solid 8.4 for months at a time or swing high or low in the matter of a few days. I used to check once a month at water changes but had a bad experience with an unknown consumption change that spiked my alk and killed some coral. So now I check every few days to once a week and adjust my doser as needed. I go through alk test kits at a rate of one salifert kit every 3 months or so so I have an $11 refill set to auto order every 3 months. Just curious what others experience is.

 

[homer1475]

I check every other day, and if I notice any issues, it's every day.

FWIW, I like the hanna checker just for ease of use if your doing ALK checking that much.

 

[Auquanut]

I test mine before and after a water change, and generally at some point in between. There's sometimes very slight fluctuations, but I don't adjust my doser unless there's a noticeable trend. Last week I increased from 130 to 140 ml daily on my 125. Trying to keep alc between 8.6 and 8.9.

 

[b4tn]

I check every other day, and if I notice any issues, it's every day.

FWIW, I like the hanna checker just for ease of use if your doing ALK checking that much.

I really like the idea of the Hanna checkers and have had my eye on one for years. The only thing that holds me back is cost. My $11 salifert test kit is good for around 100 or more tests. The Hanna checker is $65 then you have to buy reagent at $20+ for only 25 tests. I might get one for spot checking occasionally but will probably stick with my salifert.

 

[DivingTheWorld]

I'm a bit ocd so I test Hanna and Salifert daily at the same time of day. IMO, stable Alk is the most important thing for acros. Once the automatic Alk testers become a bit more mainstream and proven, I'll probably get one!

 

[JDnKY]

Hopefully I will test Alk/Calc/Mag between 2 and 4 times per day very soon! @Terence

 

[ca1ore]

Not nearly frequently enough ..... probably every few weeks.

 

[michael giordano]

I really like the idea of the Hanna checkers and have had my eye on one for years. The only thing that holds me back is cost. My $11 salifert test kit is good for around 100 or more tests. The Hanna checker is $65 then you have to buy reagent at $20+ for only 25 tests. I might get one for spot checking occasionally but will probably stick with my salifert.[/QUOT
You can buy an Hana checker for alk for $50 and it’s $9 to refill all on bulkreef supply. Well worth it for an exact number.

 

[hbrochs]

I check Alk three times a week or more.
Calcium maybe once a month.
NO3 about once a month.
Salinity a few times a year.

 

[smartwater101]

Since installing major hardware upgrades and starting to dose All-For-Reef, I've been checking at least twice a day for the last several weeks. Hanna industries is likely pleased with my purchases lately lol

 

[Reefpuck]

Used to test every week.

Started testing every day recently because of a major alk swing I had that killed half of my sps (low nutrients didn't help either). Some people have it dialed in and don't need to test as often. For me...I learned the hard way and not taking chances now.

 

[Lukas75]

I really like the idea of the Hanna checkers and have had my eye on one for years. The only thing that holds me back is cost. My $11 salifert test kit is good for around 100 or more tests. The Hanna checker is $65 then you have to buy reagent at $20+ for only 25 tests. I might get one for spot checking occasionally but will probably stick with my salifert.

BRS sells them for $50.00 and reagents for $9.00. The first time I used it I swear I heard angels singing.

 

[Robink]

I test every day at the same time. Use the hanna checker.