What do you personally test for?

[jonbar1]

Thought this might be good info for some of the newer folks, and there's a lot of different things to test for.

When I first started reefing I considered testing postassium, strontium, iodine, and a few other things because I wasn't always sure what was important to know and what I could take for granted. I did eventually get an iodine test after being told by an old school reefer that protein skimmers remove it...but can honestly say I've only tested it a few times. So to keep things simple and more realistic, what do you test for on your tanks?

I test regularly for:
Salinity
Calcium
Alkalinity
Magnesium

Occasionally I'll test for:
Nitrate
Phosphate
(I used to test these a LOT when my tank was newer)

I have tests for other things like ammonia and pH in case something seems off, but honestly almost never test them any more.

 

[strange33w]

When my tanks are new but have cycled I test for nitrite nitrate salinity and PH. Once established I check calcium, alk, magnesium, salinity and ph. Also if I strat to see signs of algae I check phosphates and nitrates.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Blod sugar and blod pressure

 

[specvjeff]

Alkalinity
PH (ph probe on my RKL)
Calcium
Magnesium
Nitrate
Phosphate
Salinity (Refractometer)
I use salifert kits for everything else. I test weekly.


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[Steelerfan747]

I test for calcium, alkalinity, ph, nitrates, nitrites, salinity on occasion and recently magnesium

 

[rocko918]

I test Alk, Salinity

Ph is on the AC3

I really just pay attention to my corals. If i see something wrong with them i know something is off.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Salinity (only for water changes)
Calcium
Alkalinity

PH on the controller.

Need to do Magnesium!

 

[mainereefer]

I test Alk, Salinity
Ph is on the AC3
I really just pay attention to my corals. If i see something wrong with them i know something is off.

+1

first I test alk if that is good so is the rest. if it is off it tells me something else is off to

 

[larryl]

I test for alk,mag,calcium and phosphates twice a week.

 

[ironworker]

alk calcium magnesium. nitrate if coral or fish look strange.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Temp and ph, occassionallly alk and ca, but only when the dosers are dialing in. In the begining, NH3, NO2,and NO3 are also important. Salinity I test when I change the water, like rev said. I have an ato, so that is not a major concern.

 

[dmatt88]

Temp and ph, occassionallly alk and ca, but only when the dosers are dialing in. In the begining, NH3, NO2,and NO3 are also important. Salinity I test when I change the water, like rev said. I have an ato, so that is not a major concern.

+1^

....... I'm Matt n i have a reef obsession.

 

[sprinklerdudes]

spot check salinity once evry couple weeks,