when should i test my tank

[Celbrise]

haven't done tests in a LONG time and I know my parameters are screwed. lately been trying to maintenance it but it's only been like 3 days everything is looking better. more water flow, cleaned filter and added new carbon and gfo, removed some base/live rock I had to decrease dead spots, reduced feeding, changed a lot of the old filter media. I just checked the salinity it is through the roof as well so I will be doing another water change tomorrow to try and lower it more.

should I test say next weekend or give it more time? also are the liquid API test kits any good? I can't really seem to find any other ones in my state. they cost about $50 plus tax

 

[twilliard]

IMO testing is needed in a tank.
When things go south its because of numbers.
Test and post!

 

[Celbrise]

I meant when should I test it? should I test it like say right now, next week, or maybe in 2 weeks? I assume the earlier the better so I know what to fix but just wanted others opinions. current stock seems to be fine and getting better over the days

 

[melypr1985]

The api tests IMO are fine for the basics... nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. If your testing anything else look at Red Sea and Salifert

Test now and every week from now on... at least until your tank gets back on track then you can test a little less often. Though, it will NEVER hurt to keep testing every week.

 

[Celbrise]

okay thank you very much I will try to find the red sea or salifert in the salt water shop here

 

[LaurensNL]

I meant when should I test it? should I test it like say right now, next week, or maybe in 2 weeks? I assume the earlier the better so I know what to fix but just wanted others opinions. current stock seems to be fine and getting better over the days

I'm using RedSea basicpack that's KH Ca and Mg and for testing No3 Po4 PH and more I use Salifert. The test are easy to maintain and the accuracy is good enough. I am testing my water every 2-3 days. But it also depends on what kind of corals you have. If you only have leathers once a week will be enough. Amd maybe an other tip for you wright everything down. Add a date to you test result and also wright down when you add supplements or you bought another pump. Just for yourself to readback if any problems appear to find the cause.

Good luck with your tank!

 

[kendavjac]

Kinda hard to answer without asking more questions: What do you currently test or have the capability to test? What kind on tank is it (fish only, mixed, or heavy SPS)? Does your tank have any issues such as GHA? If it were me, I would:

1. fix the salinity and only check around water changes
2. Nitrate- Assume you are having troubles here based on the steps you have taken. Check every couple of days and plan your water changes based on the levels. Note: How much Nitrate will drop during a water change is proportional to how big the water change is. IE A 10% water change will only drop the nitrates 10%. The steps you have taken will also help lower this.
3. PO4- Again if you are having issues then every couple of days and take steps to help eliminate it.
4. CA and Alkalinity- Get a base line by testing every couple days and correct them slowly until you get them in line. continue testing until you figure out your tanks consumption and then figure out if water changes are enough to keep up. If not, figure out what method you want to use to supplement them.

Once you get your #'s in order then you can reduce the frequency of testing. I currently have 2 tanks up and running and they are fairly mature (5 years and 1 year old) so my testing requirements are a little different. I only test nitrates and PO4 if I see more algae in the tank or my corals look unhappy. I test CA and alkalinity every 7-10 days because my corals are growing and the demand is always changing. When my tanks were new (less than 6 months) I tested every week after the cycle was complete.

Hope this helps
David

 

[Celbrise]

right now i can only test salinity because my old test kit was very old, cheap, and not accurate. this is only a fowlr tank i can't keep corals they are illegal here and i don't have any zoanthids or inverts