Who tests their O2?

[falconut]

I was wondering if anybody tests the O2 levels in their tanks? I have tested salinity, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium, pH, alkilinity, but never dissolved oxygen. My tank has been running around 80 degrees lately and I keep my salinity around 1.024. Plus I have a decent bioload. Wonder if it's worth testing. Has anybody ever had a problem with their O2 levels?

The only test kit they have at my LFS is the Red Sea Oxygen Lab for $15. Is this any good or should I look for a different brand? I don't have the money for the expensive monitors.

Thanks.

 

[luther1200]

I have, I have the Salifert O2 test kit. If you are going to get 1 I wouldn't get the Red Sea 1. I have had some bad experiences with them, and heard a lot of people do. The only O2 kit I used was the Salifert which I like and would by again.

 

[falconut]

I believe the only 1 the carry is the Red Sea. So, you're saying it's not worth it.

luther1200 - did you ever have issues with low O2?

 

[snorvich]

How do you know what "good" is?

 

[luther1200]

The kit tells you what good is.

No, I never had a problem with low levels. It was always acceptable, but on the low side of acceptable before I increased my flow. I mainly bought the kit becasue the tank is in my bedroom which isn't really a big room, and I just wanted to make sure it had sufficient O2 levels at all times.

If all they sell is Red Sea its up to you. I never had any good/bad experience with the RS O2 kit so it may be good. If they did have a Salifert I would recommend that first though.

 

[greenbean36191]

I test O2 for a living, but I don't test in my tanks (other than a few times just for curiosity sake).

To get meaningful readings in a reef tank you need an oxygen probe, which are extremely expensive. Titrations are fine for things like ponds and FO, but don't give you metabolically relevant information in a complex environment like a reef tank where oxygen saturation is very heterogeneous.

The guidelines hobbyist test kits use to determine what a "good" reading is also aren't based on O2 values for reefs. What is dangerous for many temperate saltwater fish is very normal and safe for most reef fish. As a result, the cutoff of what constitutes a "good" reading for most tests is VERY conservative for reef animals.

Basically, there are very few cases in a reef tank that an oxygen test kit will provide you with useful information so it's not something I would recommend most hobbyists waste their time and money on.

 

[falconut]

OK. So, it sounds like a waste of money to test. I guess I'll just keep doing the normal.