Importance of Testing

trevorstratton1 · Jul 3, 2023

Hello all,

I have had a 30 gallon reef for over a year and a half now. I test regularly (almost every parameter) and try to do everything by the book. However, I can't help but notice that I have literally never had a bad reading. The only thing that has ever prompted any action from me is salinity being a bit high from time to time and I just add a bit of RODI water to calm things down. With that said, I know that all of these tests could have just never happened, and everything would still be alright. So, is it fair for me to stop testing so regularly and just move most tests (except salinity) to like once every 1-2 months? How often do you all actually encounter issues when you test your water?

Thanks!

Mr. Mojo Rising · Jul 3, 2023

what is "regular testing" to you? Every day? Every week? Once I get past the new tank stgae, I generally test once a month, sometimes every 2 months if everything looks good. Thats on my mixed tank, I haven't tested my softie tank in almost 2 years.

Weekly water changes have kept everything happy for me.

MrGisonni · Jul 3, 2023

I my 30 reef things happen quickly. Nitrates phosphates and alkalinity change and need adjustment. Through maintenance and dosing.

Reefer Matt · Jul 3, 2023

trevorstratton1 said:
Hello all,

I have had a 30 gallon reef for over a year and a half now. I test regularly (almost every parameter) and try to do everything by the book. However, I can't help but notice that I have literally never had a bad reading. The only thing that has ever prompted any action from me is salinity being a bit high from time to time and I just add a bit of RODI water to calm things down. With that said, I know that all of these tests could have just never happened, and everything would still be alright. So, is it fair for me to stop testing so regularly and just move most tests (except salinity) to like once every 1-2 months? How often do you all actually encounter issues when you test your water?

Thanks!

I think it depends on which livestock you keep. I test for alkalinity twice a day in two tanks, and ca and mg once per day. But those tanks have a lot of sps coral in them. I rarely test my softy tank or fowlr. I test nitrates and phosphates once a week.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jul 3, 2023

As reefers get more and more comfortable with their routine husbandry practices keeping everything in check, testing can become less and less frequent, to eventually little testing at all.

The only things I tested regularly were pH, salinity and temp.

trevorstratton1 · Jul 4, 2023

Thanks for the input, everyone.

gbroadbridge · Jul 4, 2023

trevorstratton1 said:
Hello all,

I have had a 30 gallon reef for over a year and a half now. I test regularly (almost every parameter) and try to do everything by the book. However, I can't help but notice that I have literally never had a bad reading. The only thing that has ever prompted any action from me is salinity being a bit high from time to time and I just add a bit of RODI water to calm things down. With that said, I know that all of these tests could have just never happened, and everything would still be alright. So, is it fair for me to stop testing so regularly and just move most tests (except salinity) to like once every 1-2 months? How often do you all actually encounter issues when you test your water?

Thanks!

I check Salinity and Alk weekly and correct if necessary.

Ca, Mg, etc monthly at most - or when something looks wrong.

If you stop regular testing, things will go wrong - murphy's law.

Kellie in CA · Jul 4, 2023

I try to test every few weeks. But my tank is all LPS, and I’ve been at this long enough that I can generally tell if something is off just by looking at the tank.

maxberter · Jul 7, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
I think it depends on which livestock you keep. I test for alkalinity twice a day in two tanks, and ca and mg once per day. But those tanks have a lot of sps coral in them. I rarely test my softy tank or fowlr. I test nitrates and phosphates once a week.

Twice a day!? I think ill stick to fowlr for a while..

Reefer Matt · Jul 7, 2023

maxberter said:
Twice a day!? I think ill stick to fowlr for a while..

Yes, but I have a lot of sps coral that consume a lot of alk and ca. Most mixed reef tanks can thrive on weekly testing. Some Reefers never test, and only do water changes too.

gbroadbridge · Jul 9, 2023

maxberter said:
Twice a day!? I think ill stick to fowlr for a while..

I test Alk 4 times per day and adjust dosage.
But it all happens automatically.

RandyL · Jul 16, 2023

When bio load is stable and external factors are consistent (e.g. no overfeeding), monthly testing should be sufficient. However, I think it’s important to have an easy way to check your temp at a glance and quick ph and salinity monitors.

Northern Flicker · Jul 16, 2023

Reefer Matt said:
I think it depends on which livestock you keep. I test for alkalinity twice a day in two tanks, and ca and mg once per day. But those tanks have a lot of sps coral in them. I rarely test my softy tank or fowlr. I test nitrates and phosphates once a week.

Y’all we gotta chip in so Matt can get some kind of auto monitoring!