how do you test?

[druce]

just interested in how others test, what they test for etc...

I try to test every week, but if there is nothing screwy going on I may let this slide to a month.

What I do is take a clean driking glass, dip it in the tank and pull out about a cup or two of water and then proceed to do all my testing from this water

I use a syringe to fill each beaker with water, add the chemicals per instructions and wait the appropriate time - then read and record my results.

the only thing I struggle with is the tests that uses shades of one color, like my phosphate - I always have a hard time distinguishing the various shades of blue so I always error on the higher side.

I test for:

Ph
Nitrates
Nitrites
Amonia
Phosphate
Calcium
dKh
iodine

the only thing I add to the tank is kilwasser in my top off water
every week I do a 7-10% water change

 

[SCR]

What sub were you on?

 

[druce]

Jacksonville SSN-699 (1996-2004)

 

[SCR]

USS Grenadier SS-525, (1966-1969) Thanks

 

[druce]

no problem, always nice to see fellow submariners on here

 

[Paintbug]

weekly i test
calc
alk
SG
pH
nitrates

monthly
magnesium

if theres a problem with the tank
ammonia
nitrites
phosphates

 

[SCR]

Anyway, about the tests, I've cut back on testing now that the tank has been running for 1 1/2 years. I watch the nitrate the most but they have been at 0 for a while since the fish have been moved to their own tank. The tank with all the corals seem to get tested more often. Calcium gets tested on a reg. basis. after calcium, phosphate would be next.
The shades of color on the test give me a hard time to.
I haven't bought any of the electronic testing equipment yet, still doing it with the chemical method. The salinity refragometer gets used a lot, best tool I have. LOL

 

[druce]

interesting to see how often people test

Melev put it best when he said (I'm paraphrasing): "I haven't tested in a while, not because I am lazy, but because I am afraid to see the results."

I think I fit into that category.. that and I am also lazy

 

[lilprincess]

I test weekly:

pH
SG
Ca
Alk
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphate

I use a syringe to take test samples directly from tank to beakers.