How often do you test your water?

[mrsjoannh13]

I have a 20g tank that's been set up / cycled since late October. I do weekly water changes of about 20-30% with gravel vac. The tank is (I think) lightly stocked with 6 glofish tetras. No live plants other than a Christmas moss bridge and 3 marimo moss balls.

I was testing the water every day initially just to make sure I didn't have spikes but ammonia and nitrite are consistently 0. Nitrates stay about 5. The parameters have been consistent for a couple of months now and I don't plan any changes in livestock for the tank.

Since things have been stable, I am only checking water once or twice a week before weekend water changes. I'm guessing this is sufficient but wanted to get some expert opinions on how often you guys test your water on an established tank.

Thanks!

 

[Slaphppy7]

After my tanks are established (6 months+), I never test the water, unless something seems wrong...

 

[Flushable Pets]

When setting up a new tank, I check levels religiously. Once my tanks are well established, I definitely slack a bit unless something seems off.

@Slaphppy7 After seeing your avatar, I now have "Joy To The World" by Three Dog Night stuck in my head.

 

[Slaphppy7]

"Jeremiah was a bullfrog"!!

 

[Flushable Pets]

"Jeremiah was a bullfrog"!!

First concert I ever went to as a little kid.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Really?
You must be an oldy like me, lol....my first was the Doobie Brothers....strangely, I never saw TDN live, but like alot of their tunes
Hope we don't get scolded for going OT....

 

[FishFinatic77]

I have a 20g tank that's been set up / cycled since late October. I do weekly water changes of about 20-30% with gravel vac. The tank is (I think) lightly stocked with 6 glofish tetras. No live plants other than a Christmas moss bridge and 3 marimo moss balls.

I was testing the water every day initially just to make sure I didn't have spikes but ammonia and nitrite are consistently 0. Nitrates stay about 5. The parameters have been consistent for a couple of months now and I don't plan any changes in livestock for the tank.

Since things have been stable, I am only checking water once or twice a week before weekend water changes. I'm guessing this is sufficient but wanted to get some expert opinions on how often you guys test your water on an established tank.

Thanks!

When I'm first setting up a tank, I test the water every day. But once the tank is established, I never test the water unless I notice the fish acting weird or something.

 

[Fishmanic]

Once a tank is fully cycled, maybe check once a week for the first month or so but once you see levels staying stable, testing is not necessary in my opinion.
I only check my levels if my fish look stressed except I test for nitrates maybe every 3 months or so just to make sure they stay low - like under 20. I use the Salifert test for nitrates as it's so much easier to use and read than the API test.

Speaking of Jeremiah: