Should I ICP Test Before or After WC?

[awokenreefboy]

Thanks in advance for the help!

I just wanted to get your guys’ opinion on the timing of when I should take my first ICP test samples.

Should I get them right before I do a WC where it’ll encompass all my dosing, etc throughout the week? Or should I take my samples right after, or day after, a WC to get a good baseline?

 

[boacvh]

I think it's just personal preference. I do it usually after a WC to get the absolute latest on my tank. I.e. I wouldn't want to measure something, have it changed by a WC and then react to metrics I had before the WC when my tank parameters have already changed

 

[bluemon]

Somewhere in the middle is usually what I do.

I usually do a WC every two-the weeks, I would send in an ICP of the water maybe 7-10 days after the water change. This I feel is most indicative of my typical water quality.

If I do it right after a water change, a lot of the result will be just based off the salt mix.

While if I do it right before, some trace elements might be low or nitrates might be a bit high.

In between is a good average as you would expect to have your system to be around there

 

[awokenreefboy]

Somewhere in the middle is usually what I do.

I usually do a WC every two-the weeks, I would send in an ICP of the water maybe 7-10 days after the water change. This I feel is most indicative of my typical water quality.

If I do it right after a water change, a lot of the result will be just based off the salt mix.

While if I do it right before, some trace elements might be low or nitrates might be a bit high.

In between is a good average as you would expect to have your system to be around there

Awesome advice. I think I’ll do that. Get a good middle ground. Thanks!

 

[BryanM]

Awesome advice. I think I’ll do that. Get a good middle ground. Thanks!

I definitely would want to know what my water is like before a WC. You know you're already cleaning it up by doing the WC, so you'll get "Better" results.

That said from a dude that doesnt do water changes.

 

[areefer01]

We probably all do things a bit differently. I personally do them first thing in the morning and prior to a water change. I also collect the water sample just before automated tests kick in. I'll knock out the quick and easy manual tests such as Hanna's Alk, Nitrate, and Phosphate just for fun. This way when the sample comes back I can take a cursory look at everything and see how everything correlates and trends.

I am not sure it matters to be honest but I'm in the camp of the members who posted above that I want the water snapshot as it is before the water change. Seems logical to me but I understand the mileage on the roads we take may be different.

Hope your day is well.