Some questions regarding daily ALK testing

[Christopher Poore]

Hello all,

I have been testing ALK daily but I have a few questions as to how everyone else is performing their tests and dosing.

Some background info: I have an autodoser dosing small amounts of ALK 4 or 5 times per day to spread out the dosage. To raise the ALK in my tank roughly 00.1 I only need to dose 1 ML (small tank). I am currently testing the ALK at roughly the same time each day. If the alkalinity is say .1 lower than it was the day before I dose 1ML at that time.

Do you test the alkalinity of your tank at DIFFERENT times each day?
If you do, do you always aim for the same number regardless of the time of day?
If so, assuming you yield a different number (Say 0.1dkh or 0.2dkh) lower do you dose immediately as I am?

Any other input regarding ALK testing and dosing would be greatly appreciated! Cheers.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I would just measure once at the same time of day unless you really love testing.

You can infer the alk at other times based on what you dosed when.

Dosing should not be adjusted every day. That's likely to lead to over-correcting since the testing is subject to substantial day to day error. Track it over multiple days to see trends and alter the dosing based on those longer term trends.

 

[GoVols]

Dosing should not be adjusted every day. That's likely to lead to over-correcting since the testing is subject to substantial day to day error. Track it over multiple days to see trends and alter the dosing based on those longer term trends.

+1

 

[Christopher Poore]

I would just measure once at the same time of day unless you really love testing.

You can infer the alk at other times based on what you dosed when.

Dosing should not be adjusted every day. That's likely to lead to over-correcting since the testing is subject to substantial day to day error. Track it over multiple days to see trends and alter the dosing based on those longer term trends.

So essentially continue testing at the same time daily and adjust dosing per result after say 2 weeks - 1 month?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So essentially continue testing at the same time daily and adjust dosing per result after say 2 weeks - 1 month?

It need not be that long. If it keeps going up or down several days in a row, you can make smallish corrections then.

 

[Christopher Poore]

Thanks for your input!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

You're welcome.

Good luck.