Do we test too often?

[ReefNutsThailand]

Extremely agree!!
I'm stressing about that since my water parameters are inconsistent
In Thailand, I can't find local ICP tester, as I know, Thai reefers looking on major parameters Alkalinity,pH,NO3, PO4,Ca,Mg.
I do regularly test kH,NO3,PO4 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
For Calcium and Magnesium I do test once a week on Friday before doing weekly water change on Saturday.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

no way. In a low nutrient tank like mine, I test 3 times a week. Usually turning down the skim helps keep things where i like them.

 

[Reeferbadness]

I've settled in to what I think is a pretty decent testing rhythm.

I have a Trident with my Apex, so I 'test' the big three constantly. I don't trust it 100%, and I certainly don't chase numbers with it, but it's usually at least ballpark accurate and lets me know if there's anything egregiously wrong.

I do the eye test daily (also known as "looking at the tank,") and make sure that nothing is acting out of sorts. This is what I consider the most important test, and ignoring this one is how I've gotten into the most trouble.

I do a manual test of the big three + nitrate/phosphate every weekend. This is to keep my Trident honest and to make sure my nutrients aren't going completely out of whack.

Finally, once every 3-4 months I'll do an ICP test to check for the things I can't easily test for myself and to keep both the Trident and my manual testing honest.

i do almost the exact same - have trident, test Phos / Nitrate 2x a week and double check Trident 1x per week to make sure #'s are accurate. Works great for me with 2 x 200g tanks

 

[DeepDiver55]

i check bi-monthly. Been chasing numbers to get my dosing dialed in. Once I'm set then i'll go back to monthly. Plus I use them to guide my wc.