I am in a routine at this point so I only check right before a water change to know if I have to make adjustments to my daily dosing and I am still on track.
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Both, I test immediately before and then 24 hours after.Was just curious.
If you're checking before, it must be because there's some kind of issue. And then if you check after, it's to see if things need to be replenished.
But if you're on a regular WC, you change on a set day so I guess most people do after? Even though theoretically, changing the water should replenish your water with minerals?
I've ONLY been checking after, but I'm wondering if I benefit from checking before and after?
Someone educated my uneducated self, thank you.
I actually check alk as well as my tank running on a significantly higher alk than my salt mixes at. My salt is mixes at around 8.3 and the tank is about 9.3. I check so I can add alk accordingly.If I'm mixing my water before I do my WC, I still need to check it? I always check salinity but I never check other parameters for my new water
Great infoGenerally, checking before determines need for water change and checking after determines effectiveness of water change BUT you want to wait 12-24 hrs after water change to test again as there will be suspended matter giving false results. Water changes are a method to remove nutrients and replenish elements. In the beginning stages of your aquarium, it may be the only way elements are replaced.
If your tank is looking a bit dirty, or your corals are not as perky as usual, these are indications that a water change is needed. If you are having algae issues or test results are showing high nitrate, or phosphate, then you need to increase the volume and frequency of the water change.
When doing a water change, we have to consider the inhabitants of our tank. Make sure the temperature of the water you are adding, is the same as the tanks current temperature. The ideal temperature is anywhere between 75 – 80°F (23.5 – 26.5°C) .
Test the salinity of your new water so it matches your tank water. If you find your tank water has high salinity you may want to consider adding an auto top off unit to your tank. Make sure to match the salinity while aiming for 35ppt or 1.025 sg.