What do you test regularly?

[SamsReef]

Alk, Cal, Mag, bi-weekly before my 15% water change. Nitrate monthly. I need a better phosphate kit. Once I have one, I plan on testing PO4 bi-weekly as well. I log it all on a calendar I have next to my tank, along with livestock additions and notes.
Maybe I should be testing after the water change instead of before. But my angle is that I am viewing how much is depleted before it is replenished. Any thoughts on this?

If I have to pick one (before or after), I would pick after. That ways you know what you are leaving your critters with. That ways, if there is a really bad batch of salt, you will know...

Sam

 

[Josh King]

If I have to pick one (before or after), I would pick after. That ways you know what you are leaving your critters with. That ways, if there is a really bad batch of salt, you will know...

Sam

Yes, good idea. I never test the salt mix other than the obvious salinity and temp. I probably should though from the stories I've read. I think I will start testing before and after. Thanks for the input.

 

[Josh King]

HIV

Not a bad idea if you aren't using protection. lol

 

[trahelyk]

Anybody else use a conductivity/salinity probe? I like to have real-time, ongoing measures of as many parameters as possible, so I was a sucker for it.

 

[BIGDOG828]

I test Alk and Phos once a week. Nitrates, Calcium, Mag and salinity bi-weekly. Probably don't need to check all that but it's a routine. I can usually tell when things are off by the look of my Euphyllia.

 

[Wiz]

Calc and alk weekly, phos, mag, nitrite, nitrate, ph, amonia, sg monthly.

 

[SamsReef]

Keep it coming guys...a few observation. Alkalinity test is most common, followed by salinity, nitrate, calcium, phosphate...other thing interesting but makes sense is none of the calcium reactor users test for calcium...they all choose to test alkalinity.

 

[melev]

I test about 8 things: alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, salinity, temperature, pH, ORP, nitrate & phosphate. Guess that's nine, but three of them are provided at all times via the Apex controller, which also graphs those three hourly, daily and weekly. My first test is always alkalinity, and the follow up is phosphate. The others I get around to....

 

[SamsReef]

hey Marc, how is your big bad 400 gallon tank doing?

question for ya - why ORP. Have you taken any action based on ORP?

Sam

 

[Dtackett]

I test my salinity every day (1 gallon reef bowl) but I don't test anything else unless either I get bored or someone challenges my tank saying there is no way a 1 gallon tank can have perfect parameters.

 

[SamsReef]

I test my salinity every day (1 gallon reef bowl) but I don't test anything else unless either I get bored or someone challenges my tank saying there is no way a 1 gallon tank can have perfect parameters.

There is no way 1 gallon tank can have perfect parameters...jk

 

[Dtackett]

There is no way 1 gallon tank can have perfect parameters...jk

lol there is when you do a 100% water change every week lol

 

[trido]

I have an apex which monitors SG, Ph, Temp and orp. I only test Dkh about once a month unless the reactor gets topped off and the reactor Ph starts swinging. Then I'll test about every five days until the Dkh stables back out. There have been times in the last three years that I've gone months without testing anything but make up water.

 

[SamsReef]

I have an apex which monitors SG, Ph, Temp and orp. I only test Dkh about once a month unless the reactor gets topped off and the reactor Ph starts swinging. Then I'll test about every five days until the Dkh stables back out. There have been times in the last three years that I've gone months without testing anything but make up water.

You sir are a winner of TOTM. That is my dream. Can you enlighten us how are you striking a good balance of nutrients and healthy environment for your corals.

 

[trido]

You sir are a winner of TOTM. That is my dream. Can you enlighten us how are you striking a good balance of nutrients and healthy environment for your corals.

One thing I read years ago and took me years to understand and more to master...........CAREFUL NEGLECT.

Meaning Watch closely but don't tinker and change things all the time. I feed heavy and skim heavier. I watch my Dkh but dont panic if its not where I want it. I adjust it slowly, but if the Dkh moves quickly I try to stabilize it and readjust it again slowly. If I have one coral die I don't panic. It happens daily in nature and will happen in every tank. I hope that helps

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Used to test daily, every parameter. But after making weekly wc's easier in various ways so I never miss em, no need anymore. Just be sure the alk jar is filled, salinity on water going in is correct, and only add a single drop of nopox/lanathum/etc from time to time.
Never have any algae issues, or parameter problems. Just gotta pay attention to the corals. If they look a little off, do an extra amount in wc's..

 

[melev]

hey Marc, how is your big bad 400 gallon tank doing?

question for ya - why ORP. Have you taken any action based on ORP?

Sam

It's all good, despite some of the errors that have happened... I'm happy with it.

ORP is a good way to check if all is fine. I don't really care about the number, but when it swings down hard it's a clue something isn't right. As you can see in this graph, it's staying pretty much in the 300-325 range.

 

[melev]

One thing I read years ago and took me years to understand and more to master...........CAREFUL NEGLECT.

Meaning Watch closely but don't tinker and change things all the time. I feed heavy and skim heavier. I watch my Dkh but dont panic if its not where I want it. I adjust it slowly, but if the Dkh moves quickly I try to stabilize it and readjust it again slowly. If I have one coral die I don't panic. It happens daily in nature and will happen in every tank. I hope that helps

I live by those words above.