Testing

[Knoxjoelee]

Is it wrong not to test? I've been running my tank for 7 months only tested when it was cycling after that I just been going by my naked eye.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I have greatly reduced the amount of testing I originally use to do but that's because I know my tank and my maintenance schedule. I religiously do 25 gallons every two weeks and dose alk and calc with dosing pumps. I now test for Alk and Calc maybe every two months. Same with nitrates and phosphates. Again, my tank is old and established and I know what to expect in my numbers. If you're relatively new, and you're not good with maintenance, I'd test more frequently Alk, Calc, Nitrates and Phosphates. That's it.

EDIT TO ADD:

Forgot about Mag as well.

 

[twilliard]

I would like to add it also depends on what is in the tank. Many corals are forgiving but a lot are not so much.

 

[Knoxjoelee]

Can't you tell your phosphates are ok if you have minimal algae ?

 

[kendavjac]

Once it is established, testing that often is not necessary unless you make a major change. One word of caution: check your test kit expiration dates. One of my SPS started looking funny so I tested nitrates. Holy &$@£ it was in the 50's. Multiple water changes later and still had the same results. I could not figure out why they wouldn't drop. It took me a couple of weeks to figure out that my test kit was 2 years out of date. The only I test regularly do is Alk, the demand in my tank is always going up.

 

[twilliard]

Depends on what you are keeping.
algae will thrive on something as simple as iron and light
I am with you I also do the same thing.. looks
My gorgonia will tell me what's up in the tank that stubborn mule!

 

[Knoxjoelee]

Cool just seems like reading some of these post its like people test 24/7 .

 

[mcarroll]

You should test as much as its needed. @7 months' experience you (and your tank) may or may not be ready for reduced testing.

Nutrients are far more possible to judge by eye because you control the amount of food going in, the amount of water changes, and you get the benefit of algae to indicate buildup.

If you are growing coral you also need to keep tabs on the tank's mineral levels: alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. There will be wide swings in alkalinity if you try to eyeball it vs testing. Until you can accurately predict your test numbers, I would stay on top of these three. Keeping test records is a great idea in general and will help this process go much more quickly.

 

[Knoxjoelee]

Thanks mcarroll.