Testing Questions

[BigEZ77]

So I'm about to do my weekly test regime (so many tests, lol). I got myself an ammonia badge so I don't have to test ammonia all the time. My question is regarding nitrites and nitrates. Do I really have to test them both since one turns into the other, or can I test one of them and expect that to give me a good idea of the other? On top of these tests I also do PH, mag, alk, cal, phosphates and iodine weekly. At the moment I have two clowns, a cleaner shrimp, a porcelain crab, some hermits and snails and 3 leather shrimp. Getting a third fish, zoas and mushrooms next week, then onto a couple LPS the following week. Is my testing regime overkill?

Thanks,

Russell

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Nitrite testing isn't necessary a few months after the cycle is completed and you have been running 0 for a while. Yes always need to test nitrates, it's the gauge to see if you're feeding to much basically. As far as ammonia I never test for it UNLESS I suspect a problem.

 

[BigEZ77]

Great, thanks

 

[billdogg]

I haven't tested for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, or pH in a long, long time. Once your tank is well established and you are doing regular water changes there really should be no need. If I start to see algae coming in a little strong, I'll take a look at PO4, and if it's ok, then I'll maybe check nitrates, but usually I'll just do a larger than normal water change and not worry too much about it.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Billdogg I was doing that and it bit me in the butt! I had added 3 fish and increased the feed, not even thinking about my nitrates :hammer: I noticed my corals were acting weird so I did a test of both nitrates and phosphates and they were 80/.04 respectively. But I agree with you I didn't check for a very long time any of them due to the fact that it was stable with my water change schedule. I've got it under control now and will test every two weeks to make sure it's still down, but will probably go back to not testing them again after they're stable again

 

[BigEZ77]

Thanks. I'll do that once my tank is stable for awhile.