a lazy reefer...question on testing

[saltyESQ]

I have a 90g of lps and leathers.

I am not trying to be lazy, but testing seems to take so much time.

So I was wondering

ok, I understand that PH, calcium, and alk are all related in that if one is off, then it will send the others off. is this true?

because if it is true, then why can't I just get a Pinpoint PH monitor and when the PH begins to change, then I know something is up?

if you think bad idea, what if I also added a pinpoint calcium monitor?

then all I have to do is make sure those 2 monitors are correct every once in a while and I dont have to test for alk.

then all that needs regular checking is nitrates.

what do you think?

 

[glaudds]

Re: a lazy reefer...question on testing

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6583703#post6583703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergamer
ok, I understand that PH, calcium, and alk are all related in that if one is off, then it will send the others off. is this true?

Hi Mike,
Not always.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6583703#post6583703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergamer
because if it is true, then why can't I just get a Pinpoint PH monitor and when the PH begins to change, then I know something is up?

I use the pH monitor to watch the daily fluctuations of my pH with my lighting cylce. If it strays anything from the norm, I know something is up....but you can't use it to extrapolate to your CA and alk levels. Once your water chemistry is stable and at the levels you want, and assuming you are adding balanced additions for CA and alk, those two parameters don't change much. Therefore, I don't test for Ca and alk that often now. (maybe once every couple months if I'm lucky)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6583703#post6583703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bergamer
if you think bad idea, what if I also added a pinpoint calcium monitor?

then all I have to do is make sure those 2 monitors are correct every once in a while and I dont have to test for alk.

No experience with the CA monitor, but I hear they are more trouble to calibrate than they're worth. Again even if your ca is correct, you need to test for alk because is possible to have correct Ca levels with low alk.

 

[saltyESQ]

thanks gordon

 

[rutledgek]

The other problem with the Ca Monitor is that it has a scale of 0 - 9,772.0 with an error of +/-2% (195pts). So a reading of 420 could be anywhere in the range of 225 - 615. That is a pretty big range. I suggest figuring out how much your calc and alk changes in a 24 hour period and dose accordingly. You can use baking soda for alk and I use reef complete for calcium though when I run out of that I will get dowflake to make my own calcium additive.

 

[examiner]

I THINK that when a measuring device advertises a +/- 2% accuracy, that means at the tested level.....so if it says 450, it could be anywhere from around 440 to 460. The higher your level, the greater the range would be. At least that's what I've always been led to believe.

The problem with the Ca Monitor is, it may say 450 when in fact it's 350. From what I've been told, they are just wildly inaccurate and difficult to keep calibrated.

 

[rutledgek]

There was an article in reefkeeping magazine about these monitors in December.

A Lesson in Meters & Monitors: Resolution and Accuracy


This quote is in discussion of a TDS meter but the argument carries over.

Many people are under the assumption that this means +/- 2% throughout the meter's entire range; in other words, +/- 2% of whatever the meter is displaying at the time. For instance, if the meter is displaying 4, then 2% of 4 is .08. So the accuracy is +/- .08 for this particular reading. This is not true!

I think that with such a low acuracy the high prices of these monitors is prohibitive. I would rather have a high quality chemical test that is accurate. The pH meter is fine since it's accuracy is stated in terms of points. I think the pinpoint has an accuracy of +/-.01. So a 8.20 reading could be 8.19 or 8.21. This is well within my acceptable range of accuracy because it is more accurate than the color matching test kits.

I just wanted to offer that link and the article.

 

[examiner]

Thanks rutledgek, always learning!

 

[GTR]

pH by Pinpoint

alk, Ca and Mg by Salifert

Those tests done weekly only take 10 mins tops and gives me something to do while I have a cup of coffee (or a beer).

SteveU

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6585237#post6585237 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gtrestoration
pH by Pinpoint

Do you leave the probe fully submerged, 24/7?

 

[saltyESQ]

wow this post is pre ESQ.

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8221376#post8221376 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyESQ
wow this post is pre ESQ.

Don't worry you're still #1. :lmao:

 

[glaudds]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8221077#post8221077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SuperNerd
Do you leave the probe fully submerged, 24/7?

I do...