Who checks alkalinity daily?

Waynerock · Sep 5, 2018

So I check my AK usually everyday because as far as what I have read if AK is stable then Cal should be as well. On Saturdays I usually check the big 5 (cal, MG, PO , NA, AK) because I do my water changes on Friday night and want to catch any issues ASAP. I only have a 32 gal and I know stuff changes fast. Using the Red Sea test kit it only takes me about two min. To test So it’s not a problem taking the time to test and frankly I enjoy it. So my question is am I wasting my time and my test kit by doing this or is it worth piece of mind? Would I be better served if I tested every other day? My AK fluctuates from 8.7 to 9.0 and that is where I want to keep it, it just depends on what time of the day I test. Is 9.0 a good number to shoot for on a mixed reef? Sorry for the questions but let me know what you think. Here is a picture of my son being a ninja enjoy.

Chicago-quicksilver · Sep 5, 2018

I only check when I think something looks wrong, planning on getting the alkalinity probe for my Apex so that I don't have to use a test kit.

Robink · Sep 5, 2018

I pretty much do the same as you. Check alk daily, every morning same time and the rest of the parameters on Mondays before my wc. I check daily so if there are any swings I can catch them in time. I keep my alk around 8.5 and don't do anything unless it goes below 8 or above 9.

LobsterOfJustice · Sep 5, 2018

If you’ve got the time, check it daily. Alk can go wrong quick. Every coral crash I’ve had in 10+ years has been from Alk. Picked up a KHG in the spring and it has already saved me twice.

jolt · Sep 5, 2018

Uh, I check twice daily on my little tank and once on my big tank ;Facepalm

cracker · Sep 5, 2018

I got it out of whack again, so lately I'm testing every other night.

Bayareareefer18 · Sep 5, 2018

I have been checking daily. My tank is new and I am surprised by the alk consumption by frags. I figured it would be longer before I had the need to dose. I have found the red sea alk a little tough to get an accurate and consistent reading. Too much guest work with that slight color change. Cent wait for my hannah dkh checker to get here this week.

KMench · Sep 5, 2018

I check like once a week for alk

calcium less so

Bill_Moorman · Sep 5, 2018

Chicago-quicksilver said:
I only check when I think something looks wrong, planning on getting the alkalinity probe for my Apex so that I don't have to use a test kit.

I’ve been away for a few weeks...are you talking about the trident or is apex releasing a new probe?

AdamNC · Sep 5, 2018

I check mine only twice a week. Corals even sps can take minor swings with no issues. By minor I mean .5-1dkh.

Epic Aquaculture · Sep 5, 2018

I also check the big 5 on Saturday. I do check Alk every 2 or 3 days during the week. I also check the Alk on my freshly mixed saltwater for WC to make sure it isn't a bad batch and does not spike my Alk.

Waynerock · Sep 5, 2018

Thanks for the replies guys glad to see I am not the only one to obsess about it. Be it my kids or my furry animals or my salty critters I just want everyone to be happy and healthy.

Mrx7899 · Sep 5, 2018

I check alk every day and everything else on mondays.

AllTheCorals · Sep 5, 2018

During my morning cup of coffee! Since I started doing this I've been much more successful in the hobby.

marvelousone · Sep 5, 2018

I check everyday when I get home after work. I have been steady at 8.2 Monday I mess with my alk doser and yesterday all was 8.8. I had burnt tips on a few coral.

jd371 · Sep 5, 2018

I check Mg, Alk and Ca in the middle of the week and then again on the weekend with No3 and Po4 added. The only time I test daily is if I made adjustments to the doser.

madweazl · Sep 5, 2018

Once a week on Saturday followed by a water change on Sunday unless I've made an adjustment to dosing or something looks odd.

Halal Hotdog · Sep 5, 2018

BRS came out with a video that showed significantly better growth in stony corals with high alk ~12 dKh. Everything I have read shows that can be safe as long as you are NOT running low nutrients, especially nitrates. Sanjay, in one of his videos, reported chalice corals melting at dKh ~15. I have been working on slowly raising mine to ~11 dKh . I currently run my alk ~8 dKh and have been fine at that level. Wanted to post this to help you determine where you want to keep your alkalinity. Stable alkalinity is one very important key to success in a reef tank. If you have the time then checking daily is not a bad idea, but I don't know individuals that are able to maintain that long term.