How often do you check water parameters?

[JohnRogan]

How often do you check water parameters?

 

[Anonymous]

When I had my own tanks (including my former customers) I'd check weekly. However, at the LBAOP water parameters are checked daily.

 

[brandon4291]

I do not currently test for anything because my system has grown very predictable over the past year...there is little/no change in stocking on a monthly basis, so nutrient import and export is rather linear and so is the pH due to the calcium/alk dosing regimen. As far as I remember, I havent tested the pH, nitrate, calcium and alk in my reefs for maybe 8-10 months now.

It is interesting to note how a reef keeper can assess conditions in their particular system by looking at environmental cues, such as color and vigor of coralline deposition as well as the lateral growth of corals and other encrusting organisms. One simply must test in the early cycling stages to get a feel for the trends of a particular setup, but after its cruising we can back off all the adjustments provided stocking of the aquarium is fairly consistent.

Brandon M.

 

[brandon4291]

Then again, if I had a $1000+ setup carrying a relatively heavy bioload and tons of fragile corals, Id be open to testing a little more often!

 

[Anonymous]

I've always advocated close observation as a very good means and critical list of skills for anyone keeping any animals. However, I've also learned through hard experience that in many instances, if you wait til there is something observable, it may be too late. Better to head things off the moment you get a whiff of trouble.

 

[Syris]

Currently I'm checking Ca and Alk daily unitl I get my levels up. But from then on I'll slowly cut back down to once every 2 weeks.
As for general overall system health I always check my temp and PH daily because they are quick readouts. I also take a quick look in the morning before work at my capnella leather as it seems to be the most sensative to changes in my tank.

 

[Anonymous]

I like to check all levels weekly.

I keep a log of them in a spreadsheet along with any changes in stocking. Then I can identify trends, which makes it easier to solve problems. For instance, if I notice that nitrates are going up slowly over time I can look at my chart and see exactly what caused the change.

Bryan Flanigan

 

[npaden]

Might need to add an option for "when something seems odd in the tank".

I don't really have a regular testing procedure but if something looks off or corals are growing slow, algae, etc. I'll break out the test kits.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[EmilyB]

I agree with npaden....I'd pretty much given up testing (given a static tank with no major changes in four years), then some minor things perked me and I found a declining alk.

Then I tested EVERYTHING. 8O

But for people new to the hobby, I think some more frequent testing is in order, or at least having test kits available should they need them. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I had a very stable tank for several years.

Then I thought, "I should try some sps corals".

Oh, no! all the sudden my kalk drip doesn't keep up with calcium!!! 8O

Must test calcium frequently, another spoon here and there.

Why Oh why did I I fall in love with the SPS corals?

I really need to make a reactor!

 

[Carpentersreef]

I'll give my corals a few days to perk up if they don't look their best, then I'll test to confirm my suspicions.
I find testing to be frustrating sometimes trying to match color charts and getting too hung up worrying about paramater numbers.

Mitch