Tank parameters

[Hilltopreef90]

I’m upgrading to a 90 gallon with a 25 gallon sump, in the past I’ve not been consistent about checking my water chemistry unless I had issues arise and it was usually too late by then.
What are the main things I need to test for and how often ? Weekly, bi weekly, monthly ? I’m planning on weekly water changes and assumed it makes sense to test my water weekly as well, if so do I test before the water change or a day or so after ?
What test do you recommend using ?

I just want to do things right this time

 

[BVF]

Check out this recent discussion….

QUESTION OF THE DAY - Most Tested versus Least Tested Parameters of the Reef Tank

We don't always REEF the same way and when it comes to testing the same holds true. Some of us test alkalinity religiously and neglect calcium, whole others test calcium and neglect alkalinity! Today I was wondering what parameters that our members tested the most and what they tested the least...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Stigigemla]

The maintenance of a tank is dependent on what You have in it.
A small soft coral or mushrooms or Zoanthus can work good with just test of the salinity and temperature at a water change once a month if there are just a few fishes in it.

If You have stone corals in it their growth will consume Calcium, Magnesium and carbonate hardness.
So You have to check these 3.
If You have a lot of fishes (As all beginners?) a lot of substances will build up as Nitrate and Phosphate so You will have to test these too.

In my big tank of about 420 gallons I normally test once a month but lately I have had problems with changing values so for the moment I test Nitrate and Phosphate twice a week and the other values about every week. When the tank stabilizes I can go back to the monthly tests.

I would recommend You to check the temperature every day and salinity before every waterchange. The other values every week as long as the tank is new. (half year or more)
When You are getting the same values every time You can increase the time. After 1 or 2 years maybe it is enough to test the alcalinity every week and Ca, No3 and PO4 every month. Mg maybe every second month. If You have a algae refugium You should test K every month too.

 

[Hilltopreef90]

Is there a particular test you’d recommend?
I have a Hanna checker for phosphate and seachem for nitrite/nitrate
Red Sea for Ca,Alk, and Mg
Some test kits seem better then others

 

[Gtinnel]

I agree with above that it depends on what you want to keep, but in my experience how much work you have to put into the tank is related to how much money you're willing to spend. The more you spend the potentially less you have to manually do.

 

[Stigigemla]

The testing needs to be done even if it is automatic. There it is no difference. And of course You have to check and valuate the values You get.

I sell mostly Salifert and Hanna for Nitrate and Phosphate.
Giesemann Phosphate test has a bit higher resolution For PO4 but I don't think it is sold in the US.
Anyway the Hanna Checker is better. (But more expensive)
Red Sea tests are also OK but a little more expensive.

 

[G Santana]

During initial setup I just tested amonia and nitrates and salinity

After the tank cycled I constantly tested phosphates, nitrates and salinity

After the tank matured I am testing weekly, I test the big three
Alk, mag, calcium, but I also test phosphates, nitrates and ph.

Stability is checked by testing!!!