(POLL) Tell us what do you test on regular?

RussiReef · May 10, 2017

I test alk two times a week. Ca ,MG NO3 ones a week. po4 ones a month. Monitoring tempr,ph,sal,orp via Apex

DarkSky · May 11, 2017

potatocouch said:
I can't and won't dictate on how you do your test.

When you spend a crap ton on SPS you make sure they live

SR Aquaristik · May 11, 2017

If you want to save a ton of time on testing, it may even become fun

check out our Speed Test. I don't want to hijack this post with a shameless pitch, but really it helps a lot!
https://sraquaristik.com/product/speed-test/

Frop · May 11, 2017

I hardly check anything currently. I just marked what the Seneye checks

potatocouch · May 11, 2017

Frop said:
I hardly check anything currently. I just marked what the Seneye checks

Nice!

Alfrareef · May 11, 2017

KH+PO4 weekly. I something is wrong or adjusting I test NO3+Ca+Mg

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 11, 2017

DarkSky said:
Do you use a calc reactor or dose 2 part?

I'm adding new frags to my tank and I find my Alk and calcium requirements changing so much that I have to keep increasing my 2 part dosing, which leads me to test them more frequently.

Actually, neither. I used limewater in an ATO.

When demand is changing, it certainly makes sense to at least monitor alkalinity.

Myka · May 11, 2017

potatocouch said:
As a hobbyists and enthusiasts, what do you test on regular basis? What do you emphasize on?

Temperature is "looked at" twice daily via digital meter that sits in the tank. Calibrated via NIST-certified thermometer.
Alkalinity I test weekly.
I have an Ammonia Alert in the sump too, which I look at daily and replace yearly, but I forgot to choose that when I submitted the poll.

pH I test twice weekly, but only in the winter when I have a CO2 scrubber on the skimmer, so I didn't mark this on the poll.

Ca, Mg, K, No3, PO4 are all tested about monthly unless I'm fiddling with something.

dragon99 · May 11, 2017

Apparently I'm an over achiever. I'm testing Alk daily. The rest I'm not consistent about, but usually at least once or twice week I'm testing Ca/Mg/NO3/PO4. I usually break it so that I'm testing two things a night, Alk + whatever.

pH, ORP, temp, and salinity are covered by Apex. Although I usually test salinity before WC's every week just because I have the refract out anyway.

Webslinger · May 11, 2017

SR Aquaristik said:
If you want to save a ton of time on testing, it may even become fun check out our Speed Test. I don't want to hijack this post with a shameless pitch, but really it helps a lot!
https://sraquaristik.com/product/speed-test/

Now that looks like a waste of $$

Chris Ferrell · May 12, 2017

In the beginning I tested everything now I just check Alkalinity about 4 times a week more often if I have added some frags. My tank has mostly SPS. Not to put Adam at Battle Corals on the spot but I was reading one of his ramblings and quit testing everything all the time, I was always worried about phosphates and nitrates now I keep up with my maintenance and look at how the corals are doing. I spot check the others every now and then. So far so good

SR Aquaristik · May 13, 2017

Webslinger said:
Now that looks like a waste of $$

When we decided to make this product it was to make testing easier, less of a chore and hopefully quicker! The truth is many reef keepers do not test often or when animals are exhibiting strange behavior. Anything that makes testing quicker and easier can save thousands of dollars and most importantly the life of many corals. We have many customers including some coral suppliers that have said that they test more often and more efficiently because of this device. I understand that it’s not necessary and that costs money, but hopefully it makes testing more often less tedious and a little more fun! All the best!

I’ve included a link to an article that was written on this type of device below

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/making-testing-easy-with-a-magnetic-stirrer.287029/

Cory · May 13, 2017

I test alk daily lately. A return pump clogged causing less water flow thus less limewater delivery and lowered alk.

I noticed something was off when my chromis were hiding, surely alk was 6.5dkh

Ty Hamatake · May 13, 2017

Potassium a few times a week as of right now. I'm dosing and don't want to overshoot. Once it's up to where it is, the frequency will go down, but for now, yes religiously testing for potassium.

Randy Holmes-Farley · May 14, 2017

Ty Hamatake said:
Potassium a few times a week as of right now. I'm dosing and don't want to overshoot. Once it's up to where it is, the frequency will go down, but for now, yes religiously testing for potassium.

Wow, that seems excessive, IMO. lol

The depletion rate for potassium (if any) is pretty low.

Why can't you just dose to NSW levels in a day or two?

BigKid4788 · May 14, 2017

I test ALK 2-3x per week. I test NO3 once a week (trying to keep it around 2-5). I look at my apex 2-3 times per week and view PH & temp because they stand out. about every 3-4 months I send a sample to triton (use this method) and most things are in line if I keep my ALK where recommended.

Ty Hamatake · May 14, 2017

Randy Holmes-Farley said:
Wow, that seems excessive, IMO. lol

The depletion rate for potassium (if any) is pretty low.

Why can't you just dose to NSW levels in a day or two?

I was under under the impression that you shouldn't raise it more than about 10ppm per day. I was having some trouble with the coloration of my red monti cap and red planet acro and read that it may be due to low potassium levels. Got a salifert kit and turns out it was around 300. I'm only about five days in so five more to go to get it to 400. Can I safely bring it up more than 10ppm a day? I'm using the Red Sea Coral Color B.