Testing

[frankieboy]

Hi was wondering how many times do you guys test water ph ammonia nitrite nitrate extra. Is it ok to test once a week or you must do it daily?

 

[FocusReefing]

I'm not the most experienced, but I've heard of reefers testing before & after water changes. Some only when they notice an issue. But for a brand new/young tank I would say weekly. Ofcourse there are factors that might warrant more frequent testing. I'm sure more experienced reefers will comment.

 

[duke62]

how old is your tank.? only thing i test for is alk. i havent checked ammonia,nitrite in years. my nitrate i check maybe once a month along with po4. but if your tank is new i would do it every 2 weeks at least the trates and ammonia and alk i would check every other day till you can find a good stable dose

 

[frankieboy]

Duke I ask cause when I setup my tank was wondering do you test weekly or daily. When I did fresh water hobby I tested once a week then only when I did water change. I know this a different hobby so I ask for does with experience to saltwater hobby thanks.

 

[JonnyJ]

With an sps tank, I personally test 1x per week alk cal and salinity. I watch my ph and temp daily with monitor.

I break down water changes into two small ones to avoid large parameter swings...2.5 in am, 2.5 in pm - totaling 5 gallons a week

 

[jerl77]

Never test

 

[Reef_Paddy]

When you setup your tank new you will be testing almost daily watching for it to cycle, Ammonia to spike then drop, followed by Nitrites, and then Nitrates. After that you will only test for nitrates in a normal run of things until you get into corals and you'll start testing PH, Cal, Alk, MG and Phosphates for example. Right now I test Cal and Alk daily (just started 2 part dosing so trying to fine tune consumption), Nitrates about every 2 weeks, and Mg and Phos monthly. I'm thinking to drop my nitrate test to monthly provided I keep up my weekly water change and feed consistent volumes.