What do you test for and how often?

[bkhunt]

I was wondering if I should be testing more often or for something else? I test dKH and calcium maybe 2 times a week and ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, ph once a month if I am lucky.

 

[turbo21]

you need to test for phosphate :xd:

 

[bkhunt]

I will be bringing you a sample.

 

[shellynjason]

I test for KH, Calcuim, Magn, Phospate (hanna checker), salinity, and nitrates all weekly a day or two before a weekly water change. Sometimes I will test my water change buckets so I know the baselines. I think you should add Mag and phospates to your weekly checks.

 

[NanaReefer]

KH/CA/Mag/No2/No3/PH. Have never tested for Po4

 

[doughboy]

I used to be a test junkie, but now only test for alkalinity, ca and nitrate every water change (two weeks) using api. and yes, I have tried them all expensive test kits, photometer, etc. in the end, just the 3 api tests are sufficient. as long as you don't have algae on your glass appearing fast, you don't have to worry or test for po4.

 

[jayhawk]

Ca, Mg, Kh, and Phos. Bi-monthly. Skip the ph. If the Ca, Mg, and Kh is stable, Ph is not a problem....

 

[Ike]

Alkalinity twice a week
Calcium once every couple months
Magnesium every 6 ish months
PO4 Once every couple weeks

I haven't used any of the others in years, just no point with a stable tyank that has ND nitrates

 

[fragmatic]

When I test I test for Ca, Mg, pH, NH3/NH4, PO4, Kh, salinity, Cu, NO3, and/or NO2, .... but I rarely test anymore. I go by the health of my tank, if something concerns me I test. Then I test for the chemistry that I think I need to test for.. maybe one maybe all.

 

[Mole]

Since I'm still relatively new (again) I'm testing pH, calcium, carbonate hardness, phosphate nitrates and ammonia every other week. a couple days before water change. Then testing the fresh mix before added just to make sure something didn't get comtaminated whilst sitting in the basement.

 

[ritter6788]

Alkalinity 3-4 times per week. Calcium once a week. Magnesium once a month, salinity once a month.