When to test??

Sharkattackmack · Jan 3, 2021

Hey everyone, this topic is probably beaten to death but i will ask. We have two tanks, biocube 16 and evo 13.5. Currently in the process of moving everything over from the cube to the evo. We like the longer tank more than the cube and my hands dont fit in the back part of the cube. Anyways, we do a 10-25% water change once a week, and with weekly changes it seems odd to test right after a water change as our levels should be roughly whats said on the bucket of salt we use. So when does everyone test? a few days after their water change? a week later and see if a water change is needed? Were running the coralife skimmer and bio gems in the back with some chaeto back there also.

T-J · Jan 3, 2021

Depending on the turnover rate of your tank, the answer will probably vary. Personally, I wait about an hour to make sure everything has mixed evenly in the tank.
Looking at my Apex, it looks like my tank stabilizes in under a half hour after a water change.

vetteguy53081 · Jan 3, 2021

I let my fish and coral talk to me on this. When something doesnt seem right or there is a noticeable change- I test water

Quietman · Jan 3, 2021

Either just prior to WC or at least a day after a WC (unless I'm doing a WC to correct an issue - been months since I've had to do that). But my WC is always cleaning as well so I want things to settle down a bit. When I do WC to correct parameter (and not clean), it's just water and that mixes quickly and I'm looking for correction.

And if it's just - oops forgot to do WC this week and get a quick one in...I don't test at all.