Just checking for clarification - if I remember right, you test your Alk weekly (because it's a good and quick indicator of any problems).  You personally don't need to test the calcium all the time, because you know that your alk is steady.  Correct?  If it was high or low, then you would test Calcium.  Right? 

I check alk more frequently then calcium because it will vary more then calcium.  And if you're using a balanced calcium/alkalinity additive (CO2/CaCO3 reactor, kalkwasser, b-ionic) then you're adding both in the same proportion that they are most likely being consumed (so yes if alk is fine, calcium will be fine too).  For every 1 meq/l of alkalinity consumed through calcification there will only be 20 ppm of calcium depleted.  If my aquarium is sitting at 3 meq/l and 430 ppm Ca and I stop adding supplements, within a week my alkalinity will drop down to 1.5 meq/l but my calcium will only drop to 400 ppm.  An alk of 1.5 is stressful to calcifying corals, but a calcium level of 400 ppm is fine.  That is why I check alkalinity more frequent then calcium.

When did you start testing for Mg+?? Mr Smarty pants!!!

I've always tested "less frequently" .  I check Mg about once very two to three months.  I've never tested low until just recently.  Apparently my coralline is growing faster and consuming Mg faster then I'm adding it in my fish food and water changes.

Plus, I don't keep those lame corals that end in pora.

Hey if it weren't for those corals (and other calcifiers) you wouldn't  have coral reefs as we know them.  I'm just doing my part to acknowledge they're role

If you don't add calcium and carbonates to a tank with calcifying corals you're most likely stressing them unduly.  They need both to grow.  I would dare to bet that neither Mark or Adam has kept a tank dominated with calcifying corals.  If I neglect my tank (which I occasionally do ) my alk will drop down below 2 meq/l.  The first sign is the growth edge on my plating montiporas lose their color.  It doesn't take a real long time of low alk to cause this, maybe a week.  And once the damage is done it takes a few weeks to get them back to full color and growth rates.  Why should I wait until my montis start to lose their color before acting?

Adam and Mark... you know I love you guys, but I've got a feeling that we will aways be at opposite ends of this discussion.

Mark Peterson wrote: When we listen to someone tell us about their tank's problems, one of the things we want to know is their testing results. This is a way for them to communicate something of the tanks' condition, without actually examining the tank. And often, as is the case here on the MB, this and other info can lead us to a good diagnosis and effective solution, having never "seen" (or smelled ) their aquarium. $0.02 x 2000+ posts, that's over $20 of advice I've contributed to this MB

I actually don't care what there testing results are.  Maybe I should.  Usually I think people are including that info for Mark, and I just skip right over it.  I usually care about how much rock, corals, fish, and light are in the tank. 

Also, Mark's $.02 x 2000 would be $40

Adam

Mark Peterson wrote: Maybe someone else would like to jump in here too. And maybe you know what I'm talking about and I can't see the teasing, I don't know But I will assume that you are serious and attempt to describe what I mean by "the look".

It would seem to me the "look" is healthy vs unhealthy??  I'm I right??  I test to keep from getting a unhealthy tank...  preventive maintenance.  I'm sure you're correct in your observations but at the point you can see signs of trouble, the tank is already in trouble.

I test ca/ alk weekly usually...  magnesium every two to four weeks.  I both my tanks the ca/ alk levels can drop pretty quick, the 110g has a ca reactor and I drip kalk so I monitor that regularly (usually get the same readings) and the 55g with mostly softies and some LPS corals and one sps coral but it has a more fluctuating ca/alk level than the 110g... I test it weekly and add ca/alk as needed (which it is needed twice a week) and test nitrates monthly.  All the expeariance in the world wouldn't make my tanks take up any less ca/alk.  Now if you never add additives I guess there would be no reason to test... 

edit: forgot phosphates which I test for monthly... and PH often.

Mark,

Yep I think you got it.  Plus, I don't keep those lame corals that end in pora.  You stony guys what is it that makes you like them? 
Nope, just green stars and polyps for me.

Adam

jfinch wrote: I test my alk weekly, calcium monthly and Mg "less frequent"  If I'm fiddling with my levels and changing my dosing regime I'll test every couple days.

I don't think it would be possible for me to test "less frequently".

Adam