how often do you test

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by rusty, Nov 17, 2015.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. rusty

    rusty Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2009
    Messages:
    46
    Location:
    Brisbane, Australia
    Hey reefers
    Was just wondering how often you test a week and what for
    Rusty.
     
  2. civiccars2003

    civiccars2003 Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    2,827
    Location:
    Akron Ohio
    Once weekly. Same time every Thursday.
    Monitor temp, alk, cal, nitrate, pH. Salifert test kits.
     
    DSC reef likes this.
  3. Click Here!

  4. Hamilton Tech

    Hamilton Tech 3reef Sponsor

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2010
    Messages:
    51
    Location:
    Gardena, CA
    Once a week. Nitrates, Phosphates, Ca.
     
    DSC reef likes this.
  5. Vu Nguyen

    Vu Nguyen Flamingo Tongue

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2015
    Messages:
    102
    I used to test alk every Saturday morning. After doing weekly water change, not much change as I cut down on the sps. Many experienced reefers told me keep the alk in check and all the other parameters will follow nicely.
     
  6. April Hope

    April Hope Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2015
    Messages:
    329
    Location:
    Kansas
    Once a week with my water changes. Every Saturday. Phos, ca, alk, nitrates and ammonia. PH. Not sure why those, that's just what I've always done.
     
  7. Paul B

    Paul B Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2015
    Messages:
    30
    Every November.
     
    April Hope likes this.
  8. April Hope

    April Hope Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2015
    Messages:
    329
    Location:
    Kansas
    Lol, that's funny.
     
  9. Click Here!

  10. mlott132

    mlott132 Fire Worm

    Joined:
    May 2, 2012
    Messages:
    167
    Try to do it once a week.
     
  11. Todd_Sails

    Todd_Sails Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2011
    Messages:
    4,732
    Location:
    A Texan in S.E. Wisconsin
    As often as I need to.
    For instance, now that Im running my 3 headed dosing pump, I'm testing a little more until I get it 'dialed in'
    To do that, I"m testing some things every 3 days, some every week.

    However, usually when things are well- they usually are- I test about every month- sometines longer.
    I have about a 320g of actual water system- so swings aren't as quick, etc.
    If you're not seeing 'swings', why test often? If it ain't broke.....
     
  12. Piano10

    Piano10 Aiptasia Anemone

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2015
    Messages:
    581
    My numbers have been consistent so once every few weeks.
    When I have a concern or issue 1x a week or more.
     
  13. DSC reef

    DSC reef Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2012
    Messages:
    3,817
    Location:
    Cocoa, Florida
    Once a week since my tank is dialed in. I test magnesium, calcium, alkalinity and phosphate. I don't bother with ph, ammonia or nitrate since my tank is mature. If your tank is new then I'd suggest testing more frequently.