What do you test for regularly in your reef tank?

Daniel@R2R · Jan 7, 2014

laciex said:
Just a tip you don't need to test for trace elements they are not important for dosing or testing as they come in the salt. You should worry about: Nitrate, PH, Salinity, Phosphate, Mag, Calcium, Alkalinity unless your cycling which Nitrite and Ammonia you should also test!

I don't think you can test for trace elements...can you? I believe that's why they're called "trace" elements...bc there are only traces of them in the water...but I suppose I could be mistaken...

Eienna · Jan 8, 2014

mdbannister said:
I don't think you can test for trace elements...can you? I believe that's why they're called "trace" elements...bc there are only traces of them in the water...but I suppose I could be mistaken...

You can, but it usually requires precise, sensitive tests/equipment.

billyhalloween · Jan 8, 2014

I only test alkalinity and calcium regularly. I do test magnesium and nitrate on a somewhat regular basis. Monthly PH, salinity, ammonia, nitrate and phosphate.

Reef.ductionist · Jan 10, 2014

I like to keep my eyes on Ph, Salinity,temp, Calcium, Alk, Mag,

scsreef · Jan 10, 2014

I test Alk, Cal, and phosphates weekly

Greenstreet.1 · Jan 11, 2014

Cal and alk

TheSaint216 · Jan 12, 2014

Cal Alk and Mag just to make sure the Doser is on point.

jilnifer · Jan 14, 2014

When do you test?

I test for pH, alk, Mg, Ca, ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates on a weekly basis. I also do a water change each week. My question is when do you test? After a water change seems wasteful. Shouldn't things be good? However before a water change doesn't make sense. You will be changing nutrients as soon as you put fresh saltwater into the tank. So, is the middle of the week the best time?

Steviereefs · Jan 14, 2014

I test my alk every day because of crazy OCD and also because it take only a minute so I think y not. Of course once in a while I miss a day, but usually not. I walk into that room sometimes I say to myself don't test I don't need to and then I'm like nope I'm testing LOL crazy but it's cool to see the little fluctuations and I can change my dose on the spot.

joeyhatch11 · Jan 14, 2014

I test Alk every morning while I'm dosing the tank. Its the one parameter that I think makes the biggest impact on my reef. My calcium is always 440-460 so I only test that once a week and magnesium is usually 1260-1300 and I test that once a month. All other parameters don't get checked unless something is really off.