How often do you test water after cycle??

[fishbox]

Title says it all [emoji4]

 

[sromero287]

Hi there, once the cycle ends and there's no ammonia and the nitrates are or around 5-10ppm i check reef foundations CA, Alk and Mag once every week. Then once u start stocking the reef with corals and depending what type of corals are you going with, for example SPS's i'll wait at least 6 months, LPS u can have and endless variety so you can check reef elements, salinity, ph at least twice/week until u know whats the consumption from ur reef/system, from that point maybe twice/month, thats my 0.02!!! Good luck and happy reefing!!!!

P.D. If u want accurate and reliable results try to get a high precision kit like RSM, Salifert, NYOS, Hanna etc. [emoji106][emoji305][emoji225][emoji886][emoji245]

 

[glb]

I test weekly. Here's what I test and the kits I use:

Alk: Hanna Checker
Ca: Salifert
Mg: Salifert
Nitrates: Salifert
Phosphates: Hanna Low Range
Temp: Any kind of thermometer you want
Salinity: Refractometer
pH: Continuous Monitor

 

[p7willm]

I test weekly for Ca (Red Sea) Mg (Red Sea) Nitrate (Red Sea) Alk (Hanna) Phosphorus (Hanna)
pH continuous probe
Salinity continuous probe and refractometer when mixing up new water ~1.5 weeks

 

[Watevadog5]

Basically never... I look at my corals and fish and i can tell if something is off. I don't have any demanding sps so I think that plays a big factor in my lack of testing.

 

[fishbox]

So you don't test ammonia and nitrites after cycle?

 

[CarrieB]

So you don't test ammonia and nitrites after cycle?

Only if there is a significant change in bioload.

 

[sromero287]

So you don't test ammonia and nitrites after cycle?

In my personal case once the cycle is done and I am pretty sure about that, because many time people rush the process so they can have a second cycle or The real one is not even done, whatever is the case only check for ammonia when have a Dead fish, not usual but it happens. After cycle I never checked for ammonia and nitrites in the last two years.[emoji106][emoji225]

 

[Waters]

I just test Nitrates and Alk (once a week) and Calcium (every other week). Once the tank finishes the initial cycle, there is no reason to test ammonia or nitrites unless you see a problem with the livestock.

 

[RunBikeSwim]

After cycle:
Day 1-7, ammonia, nitrate
Day 8 till acceptable level, nitrate & phosphate
Whenever there's a bacteria bloom, missing critter, or death, ammonia till mystery is solved

Otherwise, once a week, nitrate & phosphate

 

[Brian W]

I generally try to test once a week.....but more often than not it turns into once a month. As lomg as everything looks and acts healthy I do not get too worried about it. Water changes almost fixes anything quickly too in case parameters are off. : )

 

[Salty1962]

Weekly

 

[ahiggins]

Basically never... I look at my corals and fish and i can tell if something is off. I don't have any demanding sps so I think that plays a big factor in my lack of testing.

Same. I tested religiously every other day for about 3 months at first (nitrate, alk, cal, mag) then when I noticed my pattern, I figured out the best wc schedule and I have only needed to check maybe 2-3 times in 8 months. You will get a "feel" for it-like your coral are talking to you.
Specifically, my hammer will tell me when my tank is 80 degrees since I'm always set to 78. My tyree toadstool is so finicky that I know when I need to clean powerheads based on his polyp extension. It's a quirk lol