Water Parameters

da6d2003 · Nov 12, 2006

Has there been a parameters poll on this site?

What folks are testing for and target valules?

Or, is RC info enough for everyone? I just really dislike RC and don't like wading though all the mess.

What made me want to ask about this is a discussion I was having with a local reefer who was telling me I need to be testing for boron. I have absolutely on idea why I would want to test for it.

twon8 · Nov 12, 2006

only thing i test for: alk, ca, magnesium once every few months, phosphate randomly, and nitrate once a year or so.

im also moving this to the general discussion forums

organism · Nov 12, 2006

the only thing I test for is salinity...

da6d2003 · Nov 12, 2006

What are your salinity levels and what are you using to test?

gflat65 · Nov 12, 2006

I set a goal to test Ca and Alk (Salifert) every two weeks or so and salinity once a week with a refractometer. Don't test anything else unless something starts telling me I need to.

Mr. Ugly · Nov 12, 2006

I tested more frequently when I first started, but now I pretty much know how my system reacts.

I'll test at random times maybe every 4 weeks or so for Alk and Mg. SG I look at more often. Mainly I check to see if things have drifted.

I used to test Ca along with Alk, but since Ca is in excess relative to total Alk, I don't pay as much attention to it anymore as long as I expect it to be well over 400ppm.

I tested for iodine a few times, but stopped after I found a dosing rate to keep it on the high side of the range.

I like the Salifert Alk, Mg, and Iodine tests. I like the SeaChem Ca test. Trace elements I don't test/dose for, and rely on water changes to take care of those.

fishes2889 · Nov 12, 2006

I test for salinty every water change and calcium every 2 weeks.....

Steve

Stixbaraca · Nov 12, 2006

The only thing I test for in Salinity also...I use a refractometer. I keep it right about 1.025 or so.

Up to about 6 months ago I had never really tested anything including salinity! I would just use 1/2 cup salt per gallon of water change water!

rmhuntley · Nov 12, 2006

I've never tested for anything accept Salinity( I actually don't even own test kits). I do fairly large water changes every 2 weeks(30%-50%) and everything seems to do just fine in my tank

Stixbaraca · Nov 12, 2006

I think that is the main thing. If you do regular water changes, and use high quality salt...what could really go wrong?

rmhuntley · Nov 12, 2006

Lots, but I figure what the heck

organism · Nov 12, 2006

da6d2003 said:
What are your salinity levels and what are you using to test?

1.025-26, and with a refractometer, all of the other levels I check maybe once a year and they're usually spot on or close to it

ficklefins · Nov 12, 2006

Nice poll! I am also at the eye ball test system for my current tank, in that I don't test unless something seems off (it is a stable tank). But when setting up my new tank (as I am right now) I test for pH, alk, Nitrate/ite, ammonia, salinity, and temp.

twon8 · Nov 12, 2006

Stixbaraca said:
I think that is the main thing. If you do regular water changes, and use high quality salt...what could really go wrong?

once you get a lot of sps your alkalinity and calcium will be greatly impacted, dropping large amount in a day is not uncommon.

Mr. Ugly · Nov 13, 2006

Yep, what twon said. You will not be able to maintain alk, Ca, and Mg with water changes alone if you have a lot of stoneys.

rmhuntley · Nov 13, 2006

Stoneys really don't interest me, so I think I'm good

surfn · Nov 13, 2006

anyone test for strontium? just curious since they sell so many strontium additives out there.

da6d2003 · Nov 13, 2006

Here's what started my question. My display tank is backwards. I haven't tested to ca for years and a buddy of mine commented on my sarco looking mad. He said to test my Ca. It was off the chart using an old saltifert test. I bought a new Seachem test kit and yep it tested 500+. eek! I haven't adjusted my knop in forever. (it's now off and will be restarted when things settle down.) That will teach me to be complacent. Everything else tested fine until I tested Alk which was fairly low. I've spent the last 2 weeks bringing levels to where they should be and did a big water change this weekend.

There, I admitted my short comings and feel much better.