dacota34

Hi new guy here my tank is 93 ltr how important is this testing as every pet shop i go into and ask i get different information.

Gunnie

Welcome to FishLore! Testing is very important. A lot of times, it's the first indication of what's wrong with your tank, and your why your fish are acting strange. There are a lot of different tests out there. The strip tests are the easiest to use, but more expensive and commonly inaccurate. We recommend here on FishLore the Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Master test kit because it is economical, and accurate. You really need to do your own testing. It seems there is always a problem in the tank when the stores aren't open.

COBettaCouple

we use the API test kit and test our tanks weekly. Like Gunnie says, it's very important and you can sometimes nip a problem in the bud by testing regularly along with regular cleaning and water changes.

Bonochick

I test my water weekly, every Friday night. I get teased for having such wild Friday night plans. :

Besides the reasons already mentioned, it also gives me peace of mind to test my water, in the event one of my fish should pass away. If I at least know the water was good, I feel better knowing that maybe something just happened to the fish that was out of my control.

dacota34

Hi thanks for reply. I is it normal for fish to be stuck in filter vents i had one last night??

vin

It is if the water parameters are off and stressing out your fish.

jayfl234

i agree with flbettacouple you need to test your own water the people at your LFS have no idea what they are taking about unless you go to a specialty shop and they test it. I have done this before take some water in and let them test it and then i would test it at home to see how accurate it was and they were right on. At least that is what i found out.

Bonochick

No, it's not normal. Your fish might be sick. I had a pleco who got stuck to the filter a few times. I was worried it was too strong of a filter...but I had angelfish who weren't very big who would hang around the filter with the tips of their dorsal fins actually up in the filter vents, and they could swim away with no problem. We came to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my pleco that had made him way too weak if he was getting stuck to the filter like that. He died not long after.

COBettaCouple

what kind of fish is getting stuck to the vents. the fish will need to be treated in a hospital tank if possible. what symptoms is the fish showing?