What are the two most important things to test?

[JJ Ligs]

I was wondering if you are going to only test two things regularly like every few days or weekly what would you say are most important?

 

[Marc2952]

I test my alkalinity and phosphates 3 times a week, and nitrates every two weeks. But its all about how your tanks doing. I went through dinos not long ago so i focus on phosphates levels alot until i get it dialed in. If everything is going well for you and depending on what you are dosing ( if its kalkwasser you dont need to check calcium much).

 

[JJ Ligs]

I test my alkalinity and phosphates 3 times a week, and nitrates every two weeks. But its all about how your tanks doing. I went through dinos not long ago so i focus on phosphates levels alot until i get it dialed in. If everything is going well for you and depending on what you are dosing ( if its kalkwasser you dont need to check calcium much).

I was leaning Alk and Phos too I do not dose other then iodine I test regularly but I want to get the two most important to test regularly in Hanna so I can keep an easy eye on it

 

[andrewey]

Temperature and pH -If you have those covered, my vote is alkalinity and phosphate.

 

[JJ Ligs]

I keep my PH and temp steady

 

[Rmckoy]

I can’t say I only test 2 ....

But nitrates and alk are more frequent .

Next is cal , mag and ph

 

[Sailfin11]

I test salinity and alkalinity most frequently. I've never tested for nutrients because I feel like most tests for nitrate/ammonia are inaccurate or too hard to read (except for the Hanna checkers but they a bit more expensive).

 

[andrewey]

Also, the alkalinity is assuming you've got a good amount of coral/coraline growth using up your alkalinity. If not, phosphate and nitrate might be the best for newer tanks that are still trying to get their nutrient's dialed in to avoid algae growth.

 

[JJ Ligs]

Cool I look at it this way If my DKH drops I know odds ate my cal and mag are off as well. If my phos is up I know My nitrates will probably be high.

 

[Marc2952]

Tbh Ph isnt nearly as important i never bother with it maybe ill check once a month at the most.

 

[JJ Ligs]

Also, the alkalinity is assuming you've got a good amount of coral/coraline growth using up your alkalinity. If not, phosphate and nitrate might be the best for newer tanks that are still trying to get their nutrient's dialed in to avoid algae growth.

I have lots of coral and Coraline no algae As I had high mag levels for some time

 

[vetteguy53081]

Patience and Finances.

Salinity and PH

 

[andrewey]

Tbh Ph isnt nearly as important i never bother with it maybe ill check once a month at the most.

You're right, pH can be a useless measure in some tanks, but in tanks running kalk or using automatic dosers for 2 part, changes in pH can reflect equipment issues and alert you before things get out of line.

 

[JJ Ligs]

Patience and Finances.

Salinity and PH

Hahahahahah best answer goes to!!!! Salinity I test regular just deciding on what to invest in for quick tests

 

[Chac317]

alkalinity and salinity are my most tested, phosphates a close 3rd

 

[AdamNC]

Alk and Ca twice a week, the rest I test weekly the day after my water change.

 

[drblakjak55]

I don’t dose anything so salinity and temperature is only thing I check with some regularity since I am the ATO And don’t trust heaters.
Alkalinity maybe monthly.

 

[zoomonster]

Me personally PH, temp and salinity don't count as they are monitored 24x7. The 2 to me for actual testing are alk and phosphates followed by less frequent calcium, magnesium and nitrates. But yes periodically, especially during water changes, I whip out the refractometer to validate. I have the red sea colors stuff but very seldom test iodine, iron etc. I should probably be doing potassium though.

 

[Skynyrd Fish]

For me I test alk almost daily. Ph and temp are monitored by my controller. Next important for my tank is Ca, MG and potassium. I feed a ton and always have undetectable po4 and no3. I have to clean the glass every other day. So I know the tank has some.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Oh man, I could never test just 2 things on my reef tank. I guess if you forced me I would test alk and salinity. As I feel those are 2 key parameters for a reef tank. If salinity is good and regular water changes are being done everything else should be in check. Alk is important as I keep sps and dose kalk so I need to know what alk is doing and if alk is good then ph and cal should be in line.
Now what do I really test for? Weekly every Sunday; temp, salinity, ph, alk, cal, no3 and po4.