Best time to test?

[NanaReefer]

Is there a best time to test for ALK levels? I've been testing in the mornings. Mostly by 11am, mostly after lights on. Always before morning dose. Strangely the readings are the same, 8.4. This even after night time dose. Can my tank really be using up that much ALK, or is this stability? I would have thought I'd be seeing a slight rise in my ALK level.

 

[tike]

I always test before dosing, funny my numbers rarely change either! 7.8, so I guess our corals are chewing it up, but I am not seeing any AWESOME growth of my corals. They are growing but not at a rapid pace.

 

[Irchikg87]

What are good numbers for alk?

 

[NanaReefer]

Anywhere between 8-11dkh

 

[1guydude]

If u test at diffrent times maybe u would get diffrent readings?! Idk I usually test between 4pm-9pm... My lights have been on for at least an hr... Idk if that matters.
Alk between 7-12.
Total dkh 8-10 is best imo. All in all I don't think it matters when. Test with lights on, light off...whenever.
D

 

[mfinn]

I would think that any time is a good time to test alk.
If you have different reading for alk at different times of the day, I would think something is amiss. Test kit, testing procedure.
Should be steady over the course of a day.

Now testing for ph and getting different results can be expected.

 

[1guydude]

doih. i stand corrected, mfinn is right. Idk wat i was thinking. Alk swings arent good and a drop or plumet is worse. Ph is wat would vary.
d