How often should I test my water quality?

[BriOnH]

When i had a fish only tank I would rarely test, because everytime I did it was perfect. The only thing I test on a very consistant basis is salinity.

The way my tank is set, I just let water evaporate out of the tank and when it gets to be about 3 inches below the top waterline I fill it with fresh water and some ammonia detox. This has worked incredibly well for over 3 years for me with fish only. Do you think I can continue to do this with a reef aquarium. So far (out 4 weeks) it's working well.

When do you test nitrates, ammonia, etc?

 

[bobby]

I only test amonia and nitrites when I'm going through a cycle or think somethings wrong. I think your supposed to test monthly for amonia and nitrites, and test weekly for ph, and nitrates, and test daily for salinity.

 

[Bifferwine]

I don't test daily for salinity, I have a line drawn on my sump with a Sharpie and I just top off to that line every day. I use a dipstick test weekly and if anything looks unusual I use a "real" test. But lately I've been testing nitrates and phosphates twice a week too...

 

[jhnrb]

Here is a link that might help;

https://www.livingreefs.com/forums/saltwater-aquarium-articles/419-testing-how-often.html

 

[BriOnH]

Biff - with the dipsticks do you just dip them in your tank and compare them to a chart? That sounds pretty handy to have just for quick checkups. Happen to have the name of them?

Thank you jhnrb - great thread!

 

[Bifferwine]

Yep, I use the ones that have about six different tests on one stick, so you get readings immediately. They are not very accurate, so I don't solely rely on them, but like you said, they are useful for quick checkups. I buy mine at Petco and Petsmart, so I'm guessing you don't have to go to a fish store to find them, but the brand is Jungle.

Jungle Quick Dip Aquarium Test Strips at PETCO

 

[yote]

I usually test ammo.,nitrite,nitrate, specific gravity,phosphate,ph,calcium,and alk. every week. But thats just me,guess im paranoid

 

[JellyMan]

I test everything once a week every saturday. Though salinity I test every wed when I do a water change.

 

[BriOnH]

Every sat or sunday I will clean out the tank. I better start testing then too.

 

[reeffreak]

I usually test ammo.,nitrite,nitrate, specific gravity,phosphate,ph,calcium,and alk. every week. But thats just me,guess im paranoid

I'm with you on that one...so paranoid!!