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Pro_builder · 01-20-2004, 11:46 PM

Well this is a deep subject but here goes:
What I test for
Ammonia- first month (or till cycle ends) then every 6 months
Nitrite- same as above
Nitrate- same as above, but once a week after a major tank change.
pH- I have a controller, so it is monitored before work, after work and before bed.
Temp- 3 times daily
Salinity- 1 time a week before and after water change only. I have auto top off
Alk- every 6 months, or after a major tank change. ( Ca reactor cleaning, Kalk Reactor cleaning or a refill) I drip kalk
Ca- Same as above.
Mg- every 6 months
Iodine- Never I do water changes every week. I watch the tank for brown algae breakouts, this is a good indicator of high Iodine levels.
Phosphate- 6 months
I do 7 gallon water changes every Sunday, before the lights come on.

Things that I watch for
I alway keep an eye out for dead spots, in water circulation, so I can suck out the excess deteruis. So not to have a build up in Nitrate and Phosphate.

I watch my Acro's (SPS) polyp extention amounts and times, same with the Monti Dig. These are good indicators of a parameter change. I watch the Zoo's for retraction in mid day, this usually means the temp or pH has risen.
That is about it.

01-20-2004, 11:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Well this is a deep subject but here goes: What I test for Ammonia- first month (or till cycle ends) then every 6 months Nitrite- same as above Nitrate- same as above, but once a week after a major tank change. pH- I have a controller, so it is monitored before work, after work and before bed. Temp- 3 times daily Salinity- 1 time a week before and after water change only. I have auto top off Alk- every 6 months, or after a major tank change. ( Ca reactor cleaning, Kalk Reactor cleaning or a refill) I drip kalk Ca- Same as above. Mg- every 6 months Iodine- Never I do water changes every week. I watch the tank for brown algae breakouts, this is a good indicator of high Iodine levels. Phosphate- 6 months I do 7 gallon water changes every Sunday, before the lights come on. Things that I watch for I alway keep an eye out for dead spots, in water circulation, so I can suck out the excess deteruis. So not to have a build up in Nitrate and Phosphate. I watch my Acro's (SPS) polyp extention amounts and times, same with the Monti Dig. These are good indicators of a parameter change. I watch the Zoo's for retraction in mid day, this usually means the temp or pH has risen. That is about it. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!