who checks other levels besides the normal ones

[codydemmel4]

So I am wondering who checks other levels besides the normal.

I consider the "normal" as Alk, Calc, Mag, PH, Nitrate and Phosphates. I am wondering who checks other ones like potassium, etc and how often you do it and why?

Since I am now experiencing the bad outcome of a alk spike, I am going to be monitoring that daily for probably around a month till I have a stable number for at least 2 weeks.

 

[Potatohead]

Wording of this question is pretty funny

I check the following;

Alk - Daily
Calcium/Nitrate - once or twice per week
Mag/Phosphate - two to three times per month
Potassium - Once a month or so
pH - Only if I suspect something is wrong

I have been thinking about picking up strontium/iron/iodide but haven't yet since I don't see an issue with the tank.

 

[jda]

I never check PH and never will again unless I drop some muratic acid or kalk in the tank.

I don't do nitrates since the have always be less than .5 for my whole reefing career. P and Alk for me about and every once in a while some Calcium since it is added in balance from the CaRx. I don't test mag unless something seems out of whack, but it is never mag anyway.

I do test salinity every week as well. Temp with a glass/mercury thermometer. Don't trust a hobby grade probe for temp or just assume that your salinity will not move with a ATO.

 

[Potatohead]

Yes salinity, I knew I would forget something. 1 - 2 times a week, calibrate the refracto about every second or third time.

 

[outssider]

iodine... test once every 2 or 3 weeks but I know my consumption and dose accordingly.
potassium... test once a month.....been testing for several years and only had to dose once. I don't seem to consume much if any.

 

[HuskerBioProf]

Boy, my tank really started improving once I stopped using my test kits. I test Alk every week or two, and it is usually somewhere around 7.5. I test nitrate every couple months, and I never pick any up. I haven't tested calcium or phosphate in several months.

I only dose kalk in my ATO and do nothing besides chaeto, live rock, and marine pure balls in my sump to reduce nitrate/phosphate. My tank is coloring up very nicely and all my acropora are growing well. I am becoming a big proponent of "benign neglect."

 

[Scorpius]

Potassium weekly. Strontium monthly. Iodine, well never lately. :lol:

 

[Myka]

I usually test pH twice a week so I know when the Sofnolime is expired on the co2 scrubber.

I test ca, Mg, and k once a month or so.

Alkalinity once a week or so.

SG I test before every waterchange.

PAR I test every 6 months or so.

Triton testing every 6 months or so.

 

[vhuang168]

I use the Red Sea Coral Colors supplements so I use their Coral Colors test kit.

It tests Potassium, Iodine and Iron.

But the supplements have more trace in them than just those 3.


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