Weekly Reef Tank Testing Routine

At minimum, test salinity often — many keepers check every few days or use an auto top-off with salinity monitoring. Test alkalinity weekly on any tank with stony corals. Calcium, magnesium, nitrate, and phosphate fit a weekly or biweekly rotation once the tank is stable.

During the first two months, test ammonia and nitrite until you trust the cycle is done, then drop ammonia tests unless something dies or filter media is replaced.

Batch tests on the same day each week — Sunday morning, for example — and log everything in one ReefDiary session. Comparing “this Sunday vs last Sunday” catches slow alkalinity consumption before corals stall.