Water Testing

[lt34]

This might sound like a stupid question, but when is the right time to test your water. I read a post that said her water ph was 8.0 with the lights off and 8.2/8.3 when the lights are on. I usually tested first thing in the morning before the lights kicked on at 1200 so the fish are still relaxed and I don't bother them as much. I run the atinic from 1200 to 2200, the 10k from 1300 to 2100, and the lunars from 2200 till 0200. :notsure:

 

[hardcrab67]

Your pH will rise slightly after your lights been on awhile. I usually do this in the middle of the light period. All the other tests I do before a water change, then test 48hrs after to see where I'm at w/ water quality. If I am doing bi-weekly WC, I still do the tests once a week.

 

[lt34]

So if I get this right, do the ph after the lights have been on awhile, but the others it doesn't matter. What about Calcium. I just added some the other day and will test it tomorrow. Was at 360. I have a 90 gallon tank to I put in two caps of calcium/reef raise stuff I was told to use. My ph was 8.0, but I took it before thei lights, but added Marine buffer to get up to 8.3 as it says. Tomorrow is my water test day.

 

[hardcrab67]

Sounds good to me. Ca, Io, Strontium, any additive I give 24hrs then retest. Some say you can do it as soon as a few hours, but I think the next day lets it stablized better. Just what I've had the best results w/