[maffu]

My set up is kinda new so I think I probably have a less complex view on life.... but here goes:

While cycling I did a daily test on the following:

Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, salinity, temp.

Now I am into month two of the tank and I the clean up brigade are all in and happy, and I have started stocking up (although lightly). I changed my regime to the following:


Daily-

Livestock check- does everyone look happy, mobile(where appropriate), full of colour, and are they all feeding etc.

I check my water level and top off the tank to the required level- I will be automating this soon.

Also check temp. and salinity (hour or so after top-off).

Initially I tested these at one point each day. I am now beginning to take sample readings at different times of day in order to 'map out' typical variances, as well as maintaining the original time slot.

So notwithstanding any usual events or obvious problems every 2-3 days I now test for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate.

Weekly I complete the picture with Carb Hardness, Alkalinity, pH, and Phosphate tests.

It is important to say that if any of my tests produce out of parameter results I then begin to track them more closely until an issue is resolved and\or explained.

For example, last week I had a phospate spike... so I tracked that through the remedial action of water change and addition of antiphos, and continued to track for a few days after the first zero was recorded.

I do all of my regular tests at a similar time of day.

Hope thats what you are after and isnt too simplistic... but I am pretty new to this!

Matt