Do you test your established tank? Or just give it the "eye" test?

joem1cha3l · 02/08/2015, 12:26 PM

Well, what do you guys do? My tank is finally somewhat established. My RKL has probes for PH, Salinity and Temp.

Im considering just monitoring it with the good ol' eye test but wanted to see what you guys do. Right now everything looks incredibly healthy so other than Alk, why test?

There aren't enough coral yet to test for calcium, etc.

oscarinw · 02/08/2015, 12:59 PM

No need to test for Calcium and Alk if you don't keep corals. PH is enough as it's by itself a good test of the balance of them.

gone fishin · 02/08/2015, 02:29 PM

I test Alk, Calc weekly and Mag every two weeks. If I see something developing in the tank then I will test nitrate and phosphate. I will also check salinity when making up a batch of saltwater.

Reef Frog · 02/08/2015, 04:11 PM

If you have or intend to add stony corals, I would test for alkalinity, calcium & magnesium now. And as soon as the levels begin to drop below acceptable levels it's time to set up a dosing protocol of some sort. Keeping these levels stable is the holy grail of stony reef keeping success. It can't be eye-balled. Well, it can - but by the time you notice something is amiss it's either too late or you will have a problem on your hands. Since growing corals & clams consume larger and larger amounts of Ca & Mg over time, the levels you need to dose always are increasing so periodic testing of these major elements is necessary.

Many people with mature stable tanks are able to make good educated guesses on nutrient levels by eye balling algae growth, how many days between glass cleanings etc. and take the necessary measures.

Even with a salinity probe, you should still check your water with a refractometer to make sure it's accurate & tell you when it needs recalibration.

snorvich · 02/08/2015, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gone fishin

I test Alk, Calc weekly and Mag every two weeks. If I see something developing in the tank then I will test nitrate and phosphate. I will also check salinity when making up a batch of saltwater.

Similar here. (but I test magnesium weekly as well)

Rybren · 02/08/2015, 04:45 PM

I mostly use the eye test.

Temp daily, SG weekly, Alk, Ca, MG yearly or thereabouts.

Pavlo · 02/08/2015, 05:55 PM

I test about 3 times a year (No3, Alk and Ca) I let my corals tell me when there is a problem.

I think having a large water volume helps a lot to keep things stable (2000 litres)

r1racer · 02/08/2015, 07:55 PM

beautiful...tank^^^^^

I test for the big three every month before a water change or after running GFO and log it. If my numbers are off I try and correct and test daily until I know what's going on.

02/08/2015, 12:26 PM	#1
joem1cha3l Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,158	Do you test your established tank? Or just give it the "eye" test? Well, what do you guys do? My tank is finally somewhat established. My RKL has probes for PH, Salinity and Temp. Im considering just monitoring it with the good ol' eye test but wanted to see what you guys do. Right now everything looks incredibly healthy so other than Alk, why test? There aren't enough coral yet to test for calcium, etc. __________________ IM10G Nano - MP10, AI Nano, RKL

02/08/2015, 02:29 PM	#3
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	I test Alk, Calc weekly and Mag every two weeks. If I see something developing in the tank then I will test nitrate and phosphate. I will also check salinity when making up a batch of saltwater. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

02/08/2015, 04:45 PM	#6
Rybren Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,642	I mostly use the eye test. Temp daily, SG weekly, Alk, Ca, MG yearly or thereabouts. __________________ 120G Mixed Reef, 28G AIO zoa/pipefish tank

02/08/2015, 07:55 PM	#8
r1racer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD Posts: 418	beautiful...tank^^^^^ I test for the big three every month before a water change or after running GFO and log it. If my numbers are off I try and correct and test daily until I know what's going on. __________________ 125g In Wall, Vertex Omega 150, Maxspect Gyre 150, Tunze ATO, 2-27" 16k Maxspect Razors, Red Sea Coral Pro, 33g QT, Mixing Station, Glass Holes 1500, BRS reactors & RO/DI 1.025/430ca/1300mag/9alk/80t

02/08/2015, 12:59 PM	#2
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	No need to test for Calcium and Alk if you don't keep corals. PH is enough as it's by itself a good test of the balance of them.

02/08/2015, 04:11 PM	#4
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	If you have or intend to add stony corals, I would test for alkalinity, calcium & magnesium now. And as soon as the levels begin to drop below acceptable levels it's time to set up a dosing protocol of some sort. Keeping these levels stable is the holy grail of stony reef keeping success. It can't be eye-balled. Well, it can - but by the time you notice something is amiss it's either too late or you will have a problem on your hands. Since growing corals & clams consume larger and larger amounts of Ca & Mg over time, the levels you need to dose always are increasing so periodic testing of these major elements is necessary. Many people with mature stable tanks are able to make good educated guesses on nutrient levels by eye balling algae growth, how many days between glass cleanings etc. and take the necessary measures. Even with a salinity probe, you should still check your water with a refractometer to make sure it's accurate & tell you when it needs recalibration.

02/08/2015, 05:55 PM	#7
Pavlo Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: UK Posts: 184	I test about 3 times a year (No3, Alk and Ca) I let my corals tell me when there is a problem. I think having a large water volume helps a lot to keep things stable (2000 litres)