Test kits vs. indicators

[wicked demon]

Do any of you use animal behavior and signs/indicators in your tank to tell you something is needed, or does everybody just use test kits?

EXAMPLE~I use hydnophora as a ph low indicator, it wont extend polyps in water 7.9 or less. (in my system)

EXAMPLE~My zoas always look a little unhappy when my calcium gets a little low. (go figure)

EXAMPLE~My scolly looks slightly less inflated if my magnesium gets low.

EXAMPLE~I have seen people talk about chalices retracting/receading/bleaching from low alkalinity.

I just read a thread about a bad test kit and thought I would start this one. I have not tested my water in over a year, and if I need to, I would have to go buy one cuz I have no idea what the shelf life is.

I could even tell you about how much and when to dose because I know what the overall consumption rate record is. (in my system)

 

[Paul_N]

my birdsnest is my tank gauge. When the color is off or I start to get rtn at the base, something is off and most of the time it is alk.

 

[roshi719]

Yup, I pay attention to indicators in my tank as well.

 

[SDguy]

I use color as indicators for P and N. I would worry about using anything like recession as an alk/ca/mg indicator.,... That's kind of late , IMO, at that point.

 

[wicked demon]

I use color as indicators for P and N. I would worry about using anything like recession as an alk/ca/mg indicator.,... That's kind of late , IMO, at that point.

Yes and no, if you were looking for the solution and the only way to diagnose was through behavior--which sounds really stupid, but the world is filled with all kinds, so we must play to the lowest common denominator--and receading does not mean dead, just means coral growth has been retarded. (was looking for a legit reason to use ******)

I guess my point is there is science, then there is the "feel" for the hobby, the "wet thumb" so to speak, or "the touch", experience and common sense cannot be taught, read, or learned--either you have it, or you don't.

 

[Paul_N]

and receading does not mean dead, just means coral growth has been retarded. (was looking for a legit reason to use ******)

That's how I look at it also. When I mention rtn, it is only on the BN. It usually goes color then rtn on the BN before any of my other corals show any signs at all. I have only had the rtn issue with the BN once and that was due to me leaving the kalk reactor running before I put it on a timer and my alk when up to 14 from 10. Everything else was fine and looking at the BN was what made me do a quick "once over" of my system. I just tested early that day so I wouldn't have test again for a few days and most likely would have been too late for many of the corals.

 

[SDguy]

and receading does not mean dead, just means coral growth has been retarded.

I totally get what your saying. But That ^^^^ is too far, for my comfort level, I guess.

 

[wicked demon]

I was quoting a salifert PO4 test kit, but sorry any way.
retarded defined- growth slowed or inhibited.
Its only really offensive if thats the first thing your mind goes to.

 

[wicked demon]

Took a while, but I found it.