Which tests and how often

[Dave VG]

What tests do you do and how often do you do them. I do testing on Cal, Alk and PH twice a week. I do mag twice a month.

 

[RyanM]

Cal and alk once a week, ph once a month and I dont check for mag. I cant make heads or tails of my mag kit. I just add it when Randy's recipe says.

 

[drbronx]

It really depends on the stability of one's system. When tanks are newly established or when coral are being added one needs to test more frequently to insure stable parameters and to insure that alk and ca are keeping up with coral growth. It also depends on livestock load and feeding patterns especially regarding phosphates and nitrates. I have a very stable home system (the zoo tank is another story!) and i have a good idea of consumption rates for my bioload. Thus i currently test ca, alk, mg, ph once a month or less as long as everything looks happy in the reef. I trust the look of corals (especially xenids) over test kits anyway.

 

[Dave VG]

Thanks guys I was wondering if I was ok checking it once a week or if there might be swings in-between that I was missing.