When is the best time to do testing?

Daniel@R2R · Jun 23, 2020

So when do you think is the best time to do testing? How do you plan when you will do it? Same time of day? Right before a water change? Right after a water change? Spaced in the middle of the timeframe between your water changes? What would you say is the best rhythm for testing to know what goes on with your tank? And is this even the right way to think about it??

Oh and a follow up? When thinking about timeframe for testing... Is it the same rhythm for ICP testing compared to manual testing (obviously ICP isn't as frequent...I'm talking about where it falls within your maintenance timeframe, etc.)?

Photo by @neoGeorge

#reefsquad

Billldg · Jun 23, 2020

I personally don't think their is really a best time to test. I feel that as long as you are consistent on the time you test is will be the same.

ReeferWarrant · Jun 23, 2020

I do it after I do a water change, my mentality is if my chemicals are off after the WC then I can plan and react immediately regarding whats needed to change.

Retro Reefer · Jun 24, 2020

I agree with @Billldg doesn't matter when you test as long as it's done at the same time. that being said understand that when analyzing results your going to get different values in the morning Vs at night.

Typically I don't test before or after water changes, I wait a day or two for my tank to stabilize first.

Unless I'm dealing with some kind of issue I usually only test once a week or so, if Im addressing some kind of problem I might test daily or even twice a day if necessary.

Uncle99 · Jun 24, 2020

Weekly.
testing all a day before the water change.
Same time and day of week.
Compared to prior results.
Doser adjustments if any.

ReeferWarrant · Jun 24, 2020

What testers are you all using? I bought the Salifert and I'm starting to eye the Hanna checkers once I run out.

xcuongx · Jun 24, 2020

Like others mentioned do it at the same time everytime and compare results to prior testing. I personally prefer to test my water before light on and feeding reefroid and fish food to prevent unwanted particulates in water that might affect the accuracy of the test.

Miller535 · Jun 24, 2020

I do not think it matters either what time of day as long as it is consistent. I test alk and calcium 2 to 3 times a week. And I test PO4, NO3, Alk, Cal, Mag every saturday.

I also test and dose every batch of water I make for a water change. And all of those levels after a water change.

I do get frequent ICP test done, I like to wait at least a few days after a water change to do a ICP test.

dopey · Jun 24, 2020

If you can set a schedule, stick to it, and do it regularly. Then pick one and be consistent.

If you always think 'hmm, well im doing a water change tomorrow.. I should wait till after'. Then think 'well I just did a water change, should let the new water 'mix' in' and do one mid week between changes.. and ultimately rarely if ever do the tests due to always overthinking the best time to do one.. then i'd say, whenever you think of doing it and practically have time to do one. Do them

Unfortunately I fall into the latter example.

Futuretotm · Jun 24, 2020

Daniel@R2R said:
So when do you think is the best time to do testing? How do you plan when you will do it? Same time of day? Right before a water change? Right after a water change? Spaced in the middle of the timeframe between your water changes? What would you say is the best rhythm for testing to know what goes on with your tank? And is this even the right way to think about it??

Oh and a follow up? When thinking about timeframe for testing... Is it the same rhythm for ICP testing compared to manual testing (obviously ICP isn't as frequent...I'm talking about where it falls within your maintenance timeframe, etc.)?

Photo by @neoGeorge

#reefsquad

Sorry I am a newb so I can't help you. But I do have a question.
With so many badges are you allowed to ask questions? perhaps we should knock one or two of those down.

please note facetious post

Uncle99 · Jun 24, 2020

ReeferWarrant said:
What testers are you all using? I bought the Salifert and I'm starting to eye the Hanna checkers once I run out.

I use Salifert for everything except ALK and Phosphate. Then I use Hannas.

neoGeorge · Jun 24, 2020

Daniel@R2R said:
So when do you think is the best time to do testing? How do you plan when you will do it? Same time of day? Right before a water change? Right after a water change? Spaced in the middle of the timeframe between your water changes? What would you say is the best rhythm for testing to know what goes on with your tank? And is this even the right way to think about it??

Oh and a follow up? When thinking about timeframe for testing... Is it the same rhythm for ICP testing compared to manual testing (obviously ICP isn't as frequent...I'm talking about where it falls within your maintenance timeframe, etc.)?

Photo by @neoGeorge

#reefsquad

Hello All:

I use a spread sheet for testing to track results and to comment on any observed reef issues (image included below). I don't test on a scheduled basis, or at a scheduled time - it's more based on when I make the time, or more importantly, if I observe an issue with the reef.

In the Header row, I detail my target numbers for ALK, CA and MG, and also the dosing times for the 2-part and Tropic Marin Part C: this allows me to see at a glance if parameters are trending away from my initial targets, and also reminds me when each component was last dosed (if I'm testing right before or right after a dose is scheduled, I mentally adjust my expectation for the corresponding test result).

I'm a big fan of the BRS video series, so I try to adopt their best practices, but also give myself leeway with the understanding that this is a hobby (this shows up in my ALK swings and less than weekly water changes, for example). Always trying to improve my process, though!

Regarding ICP testing - I send in about one lab sample a year to Triton - two of the reports have mentioned levels of metals that could be harmful (most recently low-level tin), so this gives me a heads up to look for any obvious sources, like magnets or missing insulation. A couple of years ago the ICP report mentioned high levels of tin and I discovered that the inline JBJ UV sterilizer was not water tight and contaminated the tank water.

Anyways, the magnetic stirrer has made testing much easier, and when combined with an Arduino based testing prompter, testing is much less of a hassle.

melanotaenia · Jun 24, 2020

Depends on what test you are referring to; for CA/ALK measurements, I try to take samples from the tank that are furthest away from when those are dosed into the tank, which is at 1pm and 10pm, so I try to take samples either early morning prior to first dose, or late evening prior to second dose.

Aardvark1134 · Jun 24, 2020

In a new tank you should test a couple times a week. After the cycle 1-2 times a month. After you tank is really stable once every couple months is enough.

Lp1977 · Jun 24, 2020

me personally think am is best. Everything has settled from pm feedings and what not. Get more of feel of where things settle and my parameters are truly at. Now this is only for nitrates and phosphates.

schuby · Jun 24, 2020

I take a cup of water, if I want to test, before my daily, 7pm feeding.

maroun.c · Jun 24, 2020

Before feeding for No3 and Po4 usually. For the others I don't believe there's a right or wrong time to, yet I do test at same time daily if I'm adjusting my Ca reactor or.2 part dosing.

AquAttila · Jun 24, 2020

ReeferWarrant said:
What testers are you all using? I bought the Salifert and I'm starting to eye the Hanna checkers once I run out.

I have had bad experience with all of the Hanna tests.. just not consistent and way off compared to Salifert. I use Salifert now and actually considering in selling all Hanna test kits. I was thinking of getting a Reefbot, but it is expensive and not sure I can justify that kind of cash

melanotaenia · Jun 25, 2020

Salifert test kits are awesome and what I use as well; I got such inconsistent readings with the Hanna Alk and CA readers I gave up on them.

Focustronic_Jonas · Jun 25, 2020

Daniel@R2R said:
So when do you think is the best time to do testing? How do you plan when you will do it? Same time of day? Right before a water change? Right after a water change? Spaced in the middle of the timeframe between your water changes? What would you say is the best rhythm for testing to know what goes on with your tank? And is this even the right way to think about it??

Oh and a follow up? When thinking about timeframe for testing... Is it the same rhythm for ICP testing compared to manual testing (obviously ICP isn't as frequent...I'm talking about where it falls within your maintenance timeframe, etc.)?

Photo by @neoGeorge

#reefsquad

For me it depends on what to test. Alkalinity AMI should be tested several times a day, if possible;-), to get a day trend and not miss the bad happenings. pH is same but that is obvious. Ca I would say once a week, Mg once every 2 weeks, and not crucial which time on day as its not changing that fast. PO4 and NO3 I have noticed can change quite much and fast, so I would say ideally every 2 days. And ideally at least at some occasions both morning and evening to get a hint how nutrient can fluctuate during a day aswell. This is what we can do at home, and the rest, like traces, an ICP, and maybe ideally one ICP every 2 months. ICP I always take after a planned water change , so I can rely that "this is how it looks for a while from now”.