Who tests their water-change mix?

[lastlight]

Because I'm using the new Reef Crystals I figure all 3 should be on the slightly high side based on a few user's tests. I should test of course to make sure but I've been putting it off and right now the tank is just cycling.

I figure I won't have to open my box of chems for a while with this salt if what they claim and what tests have shown.

Kien I loved the bit about child labour. Careful a loved one doesn't fall under a rolling bucket and get flattened. I know you've seen that part in UHF...

[Delphinus]

I really strongly urge you guys to continue testing. Yes, it's good if you find yourself questioning why you do it, but trust me, it's happened to me 4 or 5 times now where a salt wasn't what it was before. The first time I lost over a thousand dollars worth of SPS. *Don't* let it happen to you!

I thought I learned my lesson and I never used that brand again but it happened at least 3 times since then each time with different "premium" based salts that everyone on the boards was ranting and raving about. "Oh it's so awesome!" No it's not awesome. It's a SALT. It's a commodity produced in tremendous bulk quantities and the onus is on you to protect your tank inhabitants. Test it test it test it test it test it!

[lastlight]

Good point Tony. I'm pretty much decided on testing my first batch out of each pail and recording and adjusting based on that until the pail is gone. I'll test the tank every week to 2 weeks I think.

[shrimpchips]

I test every batch I make up - it takes an extra 5 minutes, but it prevents any large swings in parameters.

[Delphinus]

You edited your post. I was going to scold you about testing monthly (that's not enough). One week to 2 weeks is a perfect schedule though.

In the interest of full disclosure though, there are times I'll let testing slip and it becomes a monthly thing. But, 50% of the time, it's been regrettable. I was always able to guess by observation when Ca and Alk were slipping, but it's taken a while to figure out the tells of a Mg slip and so those other 50% times were times I usually found my Mg had totally crashed. Nowadays though I can even tell when Mg is slipping (the anemones in particular are surprisingly quick to respond to Mg). So I'm sort of falling back into two weeks but the "do as I suggest, not as I do" part of me still wants to suggest weekly for testing. If you think of me as a hypocrite, look at my tanks RIGHT NOW and then tell me if me telling you not to do as I do is a bad thing (I have no idea if that last sentence makes any sense. I just reread it and it makes my head swim. I'm going to let it stand, though.)

[lastlight]

Wow you saw that eh? Yeah I pulled a frantic edit on that sucker to no avail. Guilty as charged. I guess even weekly a kit will last me a long time so no excuses.

[BlueAbyss]

I did exactly as it seems some others have, mixed the salt well, tested the first batch and I've gone by that since. I really should test it again, that was a couple months ago.

When you guys have been talking about testing in the last few posts, were you talking about tank parameters or your water changes?

(I'm a little guilty about letting myself slip on the testing lately... lost a few zoas but even my tests haven't shown anything out of order.

[fishay]

Usually don't but I found the calcium in my tank to be low (320ppm) so I tested my water change mix and turns out my current bucket of instant ocean is responsible for the drop because it also read 320ppm.

[lastlight]

What would you really do if your ph wasn't what you wanted?

Drip Kalk?