Reef Aquarium Testing: Are you really using all those tests?

[revhtree Verified Admin]

This week at R2R we're going to be focusing on TESTING in a lot of different ways! I wanted to kick off Monday with a poll and question for you.

1. How many different types of aquarium water tests do you actually use? (not how many test kits you have but how many you use)

2. Please list the types of tests you ONLY actively test? (alk, cal, mag?)

image via @AbjectMaelstroM

 

[blaxsun]

1. 11 in total (12 different type of test kits owned).
2. Ammonia (rarely used), nitrate, phosphate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, pH, iodine, potassium and iron (the last 3 I only test maybe once a month).

 

[fishguy242]

salinity ,alk and cal,
that's about it

 

[Tamberav]

I mostly just test alk. I used to test Ca and Mg but they never fell out of range for years. Water changes and dosing 2 part ESV keeps them stable. I dose based off alk consumption anyways. So I just stopped wasting time and money on it. I don’t even have kits for them anymore as they are long expired.

I very occasionally test nitrate and phosphate. Maybe every 3-6 months.

 

[shakacuz]

1. 7.
2. ph, no3, po4, alk, cal, mag, salinity.

 

[Reefbuds]

5 regularly not including salinity

I test calcium and alk about twice a week. Along with phosphates a few times a week. Ammonia and nitrates seldom.

 

[highest_tides]

1. 6
2. Alk, Cal, Mg, Nitrate, Phos, salinity/temp (all Hannah)

I ended up in the 6-8. I've rarely been testing because I'm more of a test it if something looks off reefer. But recently, I've decided to take a run at some milli and acro sticks in a mixed reef setting. Testing these six once a week right now.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Just the basics , alk , phosphate , nitrate , ph seems to be good

 

[youcallmenny1]

Ph, Alk, Calc, Nitrate, Phosphate.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Okay, I may have messed up my number as I counted pH, Temp and specific gravity as tests. Those are the only ones I actually do on a regular basis.
I have Hanna testers, but it has been a while since I have gotten those out. I just bought reagents a few months ago thinking I would begin testing just out of curiosity, but have not done it yet.

 

[Les Poissons]

1. 7
2. NO3, PO4, Alk, and salinity regularly on my nano. Ca, Mg, and pH occasionally as they seem very stable,

 

[PeterC99]

5 Tests

Alk, Calc, Mg, PO4, NO3.

 

[Daveobrien]

1. 10
2. Temp, Salinity, pH, ORP, Alk, Ca, Mg, NO3, PO4, Si

I own and have used more tests, but only counted ones used regularly.

And yes, I listed Temp. I consider it an invaluable test. It's caught many setup issues. Heaters gone bad, Elec outlets gone bad, Heaters sized too small to handle a cold wave in our area. And just this morning... A tripped GFCI outlet. Will have to debug this one.

 

[blaxsun]

If we're including temperature and ORP, that brings me to 13. I also test PAR 24/7, so it's technically a water test (but not really).

 

[Quietman]

Let's see...N, P, Alk, salinity weekly (more if doing something that would change them). Ca, Mg monthly or less often. pH, temp I double check Apex with a pen tester weekly or when suspect and cal the Apex every 3-6 months. ORP came with Apex but don't use it for anything other than interest so won't count it.

 

[shakacuz]

If we're including temperature and ORP, that brings me to 13. I also test PAR 24/7, so it's technically a water test (but not really).

how can you test PAR 24/7? like, how do you test for it?

 

[KK's Reef]

I have tests for calcium, amonia, nitrite, nitrate, alk, and phospate. Truth be told, I only test alk and PO4 regularly... everything else seems to fall in line. I guess you can throw in salinity in there as well.

 

[Sean Clark]

I test the usuals but not as often as I maybe should.
CA, MG, NO3, PO4. I didn't include ALK, salinity, pH, ORP, temp, etc because I don't use a "test kit" for any of those.

I also often test my patience; which is currently a bit low

 

[shakacuz]

1. 8.
2. temp, ph, no3, po4, alk, cal, mag, salinity.

added temp!

 

[blaxsun]

how can you test PAR 24/7? like, how do you test for it?

I've got a Neptune PMK module that has a PAR meter which perpetually sits in the tank (they even include an artificial rock holder for the probe).