PhishFor20

How important is it for me to test the water every other day? If i do...lets say two 25% water changes a day do i really need to test the water so often? Just don't want to waste the test stuff, i have no problem with testing every other day, just trying to conserve! thanks

Gunnie

Why are you doing so many water changes each day? Is there something going on in your tank?

PhishFor20

my tank isn't cycled yet

capekate

Hi Phishfor 20....
I read on your information tab that you do not know about the nitrogen cycle. You should read up on it in the beginner section. How long has your tank been up and running with the fish you have listed. Im not sure but you may be over stocked with what you have there.
Im also wondering why you are doing the 25% water changes daily if you do not know what your water readings are? Tho its a good idea to do water changes, especially with fish in an uncycled tank. But it helps to know what your water perimeters are at this point...
Can you let us know what the test results are?

~ kate

PhishFor20

I thought i was supposed to be doing daily water changes if my tank hadn't cycled yet? And i did read the article.
My readings are-
NitrITE-0
NitrATE-5
Ammonia- .5-1
ph- 7.2

PhishFor20

?

sgould

If there are fish in the tank and it is cycling, daily partial water changes are a good idea. TWO daily water changes is probably overkill. If there are no fish in the tank, don't do any water changes.

As to the original question, you should test the water regularly, yes. At least every other day if there are fish in the tank, daily would be better. That way you can keep tabs on whether or not your water changes are keeping your water quality in line or if your fish are in danger. If there are no fish in the tank, you could test weekly if you want to, as you would really only be testing to know when it is safe to add livestock. Don't worry about running out of test liquid...once the tank is finished cycling, you will not need to test nearly so often and you will not burn through the liquid nearly as fast.