Water change testing

[Chucky]

When do you choose to generally test after a water change? Immediately, several hours later or the next day?

 

[AtlantiCat]

I test next day, typically. But if I'm concerned about a parameter being off, I will test in an hour or so.

 

[Chucky]

I test next day, typically. But if I'm concerned about a parameter being off, I will test in an hour or so.

So you think in an hour so it’ll give you same results as next day (not feeding tank)

 

[AtlantiCat]

So you think in an hour so it’ll give you same results as next day (not feeding tank)

No, I only test in an hour if I'm concerned about something. Then I will test again the next day just to make sure I took care of the issue properly.

Otherwise, I test next day only.

 

[I never finish anythi]

I test nitrates and phosphate before water change just to make sure they ain't gone up to high . I test alk about 3 times a week just to keep it stable . Ph I don't bother much it's always 8.2 to 8.4 cal/mag I don't test that much as I have mainly softies. I only have 1 SPS and it seems happy .

 

[Chucky]

No, I only test in an hour if I'm concerned about something. Then I will test again the next day just to make sure I took care of the issue properly.

Otherwise, I test next day only.

Got cha!

 

[olonmv]

I use to check right before my weekly water changes. Now I just test alk, n03, p04 weekly and mag n calcium about 1 a month….no water changes.

 

[Chucky]

I use to check right before my weekly water changes. Now I just test alk, n03, p04 weekly and mag n calcium about 1 a month….no water changes.

What’s the benefits of checking before wc, how can you know what’s changing after the wc?

 

[Dbichler]

You test before a water change to know how far parameters have changed since last water change and can tell when you when you need to do another or size for that matter.

 

[olonmv]

What’s the benefits of checking before wc, how can you know what’s changing after the wc?

Exactly as @Dbichler stated. It was also easier for me to gauge how much water I was gonna change based on where my nutrients n alk sat. Primarily we change water for nutrient export. Once you hit a target number you tweak how much you take out by testing before and at least 24 hrs later to measure change. Once I found sweet spot it just made sense for me to test before. Also, Some times you find that a wc isn’t necessary when you test before.

 

[Chucky]

Exactly as @Dbichler stated. It was also easier for me to gauge how much water I was gonna change based on where my nutrients n alk sat. Primarily we change water for nutrient export. Once you hit a target number you tweak how much you take out by testing before and at least 24 hrs later to measure change. Once I found sweet spot it just made sense for me to test before. Also, Some times you find that a wc isn’t necessary when you test before.

Well since you put it this way, it actually makes sense haha, It’s a still a new tank 5 months old so I’m tying to get a trend started I guess lol