Do you still test Nitrite and Ammonia once cycled

[thelawnwrangler]

I have been focused on big 3, PO4 and NO3. Just curious if I should periodically check the other? Seems pointless but I don't know.

 

[dacostas]

I only check my smaller tanks (under 30 gal) about once a month. Anything larger I test every few months (or longer) just to make sure everything is ok. After a cycle I test every week for a couple of months to make sure everything is the way it should be.

 

[jason2459]

I don't remember the last time I've regularly checked for those two.

However, if there is an emergency of some kind like a chemical was accidentally poured into the tank and there was some die off those two would be good to do.

 

[thegrun]

+1, I keep a test kit around just in case I suspect something is wrong, but truthfully except for quarantine tanks it's been years since I actually tested my display tank for either.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Other than if there is an issue I don't test for them either. I do keep the test kits on hand though.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have logged all my test results since the beginning. They never change but its part of my weekly routine now.
I use the API kits for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate, since I expect 0. If anything were off I'd get a better test.

 

[Ron Reefman]

It's probably a good idea to do it for several months after the tank has cycled. Because this isn't the end of your having issues. You may/will get an algae bloom or a bacteria bloom and your tank really won't be 'mature' until it's 6 to 12 months old. Then I'd just keep a test kit around in case something dies and goes missing or something looks very wrong in the tank.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

It's probably a good idea to do it for several months after the tank has cycled. Because this isn't the end of your having issues. You may/will get an algae bloom or a bacteria bloom and your tank really won't be 'mature' until it's 6 to 12 months old. Then I'd just keep a test kit around in case something dies and goes missing or something looks very wrong in the tank.

might have a bacteria bloom need to read on it- my coraline rock turned whitish. I assumed coral was dying back bc lowered calcium. I am dosing now. I am now wonder bacteria because my royal gramma one eye and gill are puffy and has some white.

 

[scooter31707]

I only tested about 2 weeks after I put the 2 fish in just to make sure the tank was handling the added bio-load.

 

[Convict Tang]

I will check these levels when I add to my bio-load...though mostly with new fish additions.

 

[thegrun]

It's probably a good idea to do it for several months after the tank has cycled. Because this isn't the end of your having issues. You may/will get an algae bloom or a bacteria bloom and your tank really won't be 'mature' until it's 6 to 12 months old. Then I'd just keep a test kit around in case something dies and goes missing or something looks very wrong in the tank.

+1, great advice. Your tank's chemistry really isn't stable for the first few months, so keep testing until it is. This is especially true after new fish additions.

 

[thelawnwrangler]

+1, great advice. Your tank's chemistry really isn't stable for the first few months, so keep testing until it is. This is especially true after new fish additions.

yeah I added some stuff I really should test it now that I think about it

It feels like I am 6 months in and I am wondering why hasn't that hammer doubled. Then I look at my aquatic logs and I am 2 months 27 days in and that is including 3-4 weeks of cycle

 

[Dmorty217]

I have only checked my ammonia twice in the past 17 years and nitrites only once. Tanks have been setup for sometime so no need to. When first starting a tank you you should test and once the tank is cycled you should add a ammonia source and then test 24 hrs later to see how robust your filtration capacity is

 

[Sk8r]

They're ninja items. They slip up on you when you're sure you're past needing to know.

 

[Bent]

Randy posted an article about nitrites and concluded that continued monitoring of them past the initial cycle is not necessary.

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I have only checked my ammonia twice in the past 17 years and nitrites only once. Tanks have been setup for sometime so no need to. When first starting a tank you you should test and once the tank is cycled you should add a ammonia source and then test 24 hrs later to see how robust your filtration capacity is

X2 :thumbsup: it's IMO and IME to always do the addition of ammonia to test the cycle before adding anything live.

 

[BrokenSpoke]

I test them all weekly because I have the test kits from when I cycled the tank and I guess I'm a little anal about it.