summersquash

I test my water about once a week if all is going well. I was wondering if that is often enough or too often. I test it when I do my water change.

Saxobone

Sounds perfect to me. You can probably even break it down to every week and a half if the test kits are breakin your bank. I know thats a particular item that I spend a lot on.

But as far as testing during water changes, do you test BEFORE you change the water? I think this is what should be done. Back me up guys?

aquarist48

Good morning. First let me say that my tank (155g) is very well established (up and running for over 8 years) so it's rare that I test anything other than my pH levels which I test every 5 days. I've only added 1 fish in the past 5 years. I do water changes every 10 days religiously. Once you get this established you learn what to do and when.
I have ammonia detectors (which I replace every 6 months) inside the tank and the tide pool of my wet/dry filter as well.

ABCDemily

I do mine every two weeks, along with W/C's I should probably do it more, but it works well. I use test srips for pH just because I have a load left over, it works well

Shawnie

unless its a new tank ive set up (then I test once a week for a month or so) I dont test my tanks either...but they have been running for awhile ...periodically I will test out of curiosity of ph levels to compare different tanks, but other than that im like aquarist and dont test either

kimb

I think tanks are like kids...you know with the first one you are over protective, take lots of photos, worry about every little blip on the radar....as each new one arrives, you do a little less....my first tank had fish that would hold the test tube they were so used to me dipping it in! After a good month of being cycled, I test once a month

bolivianbaby

Warning: Essay Ahead!

If the tank is established, I test full parameters once a week so the nitrate levels can tell me how much of a water change to do-PH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.

When new fish are added, I check ammonia and nitrite levels daily for one week after the new additions in addition to the weekly full parameter check.

If tank is cycling (my daughter's betta) with fish, I check ammonia and nitrite levels daily until tank is cycled in addition to weekly full parameter check.

Can we say paranoid? I have 7 tanks.

Shawnie

so very true!!!!!!!!

Craig-D

In an established tank I test once a week before my weekly water change. If something changes, like adding new fish, a fish death, or media changes, then I test daily for 72 hours after the changed circumstance then go back to once a week if everything checks out.

ooibhuskyoo

After my tank was established I tested once a week just to make sure it was WELL established LOL. About a month after that, I just test my water when:

1) I added new fish (I checked every week for a month)
2) When my fish look stressed or they're not eating
3) Right before I change my water (I change every 2 weeks)

I check right before I change my water so I can do a 15%, 25%, or 50% water change. For example, my water for some reason was REALLY bad 2 weeks ago so I had to do a 50% water change, and a 25% water change last week.

If I had the money.. I would test every 3-4 days.. I like to be sure like that =p

harpua2002

I rarely test for anything. With established tanks, I've tested enough times and gotten consistent enough results that I just rely on my maintenance schedule (50-60% water change weekly). I haven't added any fish in months and have no plans to do so at this time. Once you've been at it long enough in the hobby, I think you can look at the tank and notice if anything seems "off", and if so, it's time to test.

summersquash

Well, I guess I do things backwards, because I test after the water change unless I think there is a problem, but after reading this I think it does make more since to test before.

gmen4life

hmm normally weekly 1 day before water changes

dmm28

I never test my water, I really see no need if the tank is doing well. I'll test maybe 2-3 times a year.

Saxobone

Question:
Is there a particular reason why you test a ful day before the change?
I test moments before I do the change, just how my routine falls I guess lol.

carlos413

Sounds good to me too. ThAt's about how I do it. Use to do it more often but thank god my system is so stable now that I check it about once a week. Keep up the good work!!!

microbito29

I'm interested in getting some of those ph strips. I just started my aquarium so I haven't even had a chance to change the water yet, but in my old little one I did like once a week.

summersquash

My tank has been up for nearly 6 months. I haven't had any problems with the water in months. I added some plant a couple of weeks ago and after that I had 2 red eye tetra and 2 gauramis die. I am not sure if the new plants did it or if I didn't rinse my plants well enough after dipping them in bleachy water. My water perimiters are always on spot, so I may cut back on checking the water to about twice a month. I have set up two smaller tanks too. One is for breeding and the other is for the new babies. I check them regurally because they haven't been set up long and also because they are small.
When I set up my 55gal tank I was sure I wouldn't want any more tanks, but there is somehing about fish that makes you want more, more, and more.