Water Parameter testing

[mc524]

Just curious...how often do you guys test your water parameters? Do you test certain things more often than others...and if so...which ones?

Also, I will extend this questions to any LFS that would like to chime in.

 

[johniii]

Test calcium, alk, mag, phosphate,nitrate weekly.
If I have algae or other problems I'll check daily and add nitrite, ammonia test to the mix

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[mc524]

Thanks for the resonse. I was hoping more people would chime in though. Perhaps they are waiting for others!:lol2:
I asked this question, mainly because "knock on wood", I haven't had any parameter issues. Sure at some point it will happen. I check a few things a day after I do my weekly water change. I check pH, Sg, Calcium, Alk. I used to check everything weekly, and began to think...THIS has to be a waste of testing fluids. Since I was not seeing any real swings, I backed off on the testing.
Current setup is a 46gal bow front, with a 10gal sump. I typically do at least a 7.5gal water change every week. If I don't get a water change done one week, I typically will do a 10gal change the following week. So I'm guessing this is why I have decent parameters.

I was hoping to hear from some of the LFS as well. I have taken some quick parameter tests from either frags or fish water from LFS's. Some are pretty close to the same numbers as my tank, others I have seen Alk way way low.

 

[mc524]

AtlantaMFR;806534 wrote: I test once every other week or if the tank shows me signs of needing a test.

That is basically where I am about to go with my testing as well.

 

[mc524]

AtlantaMFR;806537 wrote: I was testing once a week if not more and nothing was changing. I test for mostly for mag and calcium, I test salinity a couple of hours after water change - I dont test for trates or ammonia anymore.

Sounds like same deal as me. Salinity pretty much stays the same. So I check it before a change so I can match the new water but rarely have to make it anything but what it usually is. Then I check it again after the change just to verify all is well there.
Nitrates have NEVER been out of whack. Ammonia may have changed during the cycling period, but barely enough to even see the change on the color match chart.
Mag and Cal I had troubles keeping up with until now. Once I changed to Reef Crystals...everything has been spot on. I did notice my Alk was at 8 the other night, where is normally is at 10-11. That was last night, and figured ehh its water change day tomorrow (today) so I will check it again after the change.

 

[heathlindner25]

I test alk the most right now , trying to dial it in . Maybe twice a week, I also test trates weekly.