Water Testing Schedule

[Newb73]

I have been keeping salt fish for a long time, easy to keep corals..only a few years.

As far as being a reef chemist..I am a complete novice.

I am trying to force myself to test the water regularly and make adjustments as needed and trend the data.

In looking at the information available to me this is what I have come up with:

Weekly: Specific Gravity/Alk/CA
Twice a Month: Mg/Phosphate/Nitrate/TDS and pressure on RO/DI Filter
Periodically: Calibrate Refractometer and Test Tap water for chorlines
Never Once cycled: Ammonia/Nitrite

PAR: One day when I get a monitor...maybe.


Does this seem about right to everyone?

 

[abecker]

Bump, I am also interested to see how frequently others test their aquariums.

 

[Mufasa31]

I test SG at water changes (I have auto top off on all tanks).
Test Alk/CA every 3 to 4 weeks. Test MG less often.
Really rarely test for others unless I am having problems.

I recommend you consider switching to RO/DI water for a reef tank. Depending on where you live and what the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of your water is will determine how much of a priority this is. I've lived in areas where TDS is very low (less than 20; Seattle) and very high (over 200; Florida). You should be able to test TDS at your local fish store.

 

[AdamNC]

Alk and Ca every 3 days.
Nitrate, Phosphate and Mag once a week.
Salinity only during water changes so about every 2 weeks.
I've stopped testing ph, nitrite and ammonia a long time ago.