Reef Testing Rhythm. What is Best?

[AKL1950]

So, I’ve got my DT all cycled in and my group of fish inhabitants is growing. No corals or CUC yet. Waiting another month or so to let things settle in before I start introducing coral.

I have been testing salinity, Ph, No3 and Po4. Stopped testing Ammonia and nitrites three weeks ago. Next week I will have my Apex and Apex Trident up and running So all parameters will be in the test flow. Currently I’ve been testing the above four around 2:00 PM every 3-4 days.

My questions are about frequency, time of day to test and frequency of back up test to confirm the Apex testing. I want to get my rhythm started correctly.

1. How often should one run tests to keep a good trend line for the system?
2. Is there a time of day that is best to do testing or is it just make sure you are consistent when you do them? Should different parameters be tested at different times during a 24 hour cycle?
3. Once Apex and Trident are up and running, how often do you do manual backup test to confirm it’s accuracy?
4. Other than No3, Po4, and occasional O2, are there any other test I should be running that Apex and Trident do not test?

Thanks

Jetson

 

[MaxTremors]

I do not have an Apex or Trident, but starting out, I would verify the Trident with a manual test once a week, once you get a feel for how reliable it is, I would then verify every 2-4 weeks. In terms of when and how often to test. I personally test Nitrate, Phosphate, Magnesium, PH, and Calcium once a week, and Alkalinity 2-3 times a week (more when getting a baseline to start dosing/adjusting a 2 part, less when growth/alk demands seem stable, but still at least weekly). The only tests that are important, IMO to do at specific times/or the same time each day are alkalinity and PH, Alkalinity so that you can determine how much Alk you’re using in 24 hours, and PH because PH fluctuates throughout the day (though with an Apex, it should test the PH multiple times a day on a schedule).

 

[chris k.]

I generally test once a week on sunday morning about the same time. Then keep a log of parameters. I have an apex for basic stuff so if something happens i can see . Then i can adjust dosing as required. But i like the water chemistry part.

 

[AKL1950]

Sounds good. When I’m testing nitrates and phosphates, should I do that away from feeding times? Currently feeding twice a day. 09:00 and 16:00. Guess those two will be my only stand alone manual testing that Apex and Trident don’t test.

Since Apex tests the rest throughout the day, I assume I just need to match up my manual confirmation test with a particular time that Apex tests to see how close it matches. Would that work?

Jetson

 

[AKL1950]

I generally test once a week on sunday morning about the same time. Then keep a log of parameters. I have an apex for basic stuff so if something happens i can see . Then i can adjust dosing as required. But i like the water chemistry part.

Do you let Apex do the dosing, or do you do it manually. I have no corals yet, but I’ll be set up for auto dosing for calcium And Mag when the time comes. Apex will also be doing my auto water changes.

Jetson

 

[MaxTremors]

Sounds good. When I’m testing nitrates and phosphates, should I do that away from feeding times? Currently feeding twice a day. 09:00 and 16:00. Guess those two will be my only stand alone manual testing that Apex and Trident don’t test.

Since Apex tests the rest throughout the day, I assume I just need to match up my manual confirmation test with a particular time that Apex tests to see how close it matches. Would that work?

Jetson

I wouldn’t worry too much about testing NO3 or PO4 and feeding times. So long as you’re not getting particulates of food in your testing samples, it’s not an issue.

 

[blaxsun]

I test/verify my Trident at least once a month (especially after replacing B/C reagents) and manually recalibrate as needed.

 

[chris k.]

Do you let Apex do the dosing, or do you do it manually. I have no corals yet, but I’ll be set up for auto dosing for calcium And Mag when the time comes. Apex will also be doing my auto water changes.

Jetson

I have my apex dose alk and calcium. I dont dose mag very often. I will manually dose mag. I like cal and alk to be more consistent, so smaller doses more frequently.

 

[gbru316]

Alk: Every 6 hours
Ca/Mg: Every 12 hours
No3, Po4: weekly
Ph, salinity, temp: continuous monitor

I dose AF Component 1+ (ca), Component 2+ (alk), and Component 3+ (mag + trace) continuously throughout the day, controlled by Trident.

 

[AKL1950]

Alk: Every 6 hours
Ca/Mg: Every 12 hours
No3, Po4: weekly
Ph, salinity, temp: continuous monitor

I dose AF Component 1+ (ca), Component 2+ (alk), and Component 3+ (mag + trace) continuously throughout the day, controlled by Trident.

I like this flow. I’ll have three dosers, but I opted to use one for auto water changes. Looks like I should use the other two for Alk and Ca, and then dose Mag manually.

Jetson