How often do you test your water??

[rvm]

I used to test mine about twice a week, but since the ammonia and nitrite levels have been at 0 and nittrate always hovers around the 40 mark in my tanks (high tap water nitrate!!) I only test them now when I think there may be a problem. I just wondered what everyone elses methods were?

 

[njnauticalnut]

Since my tank is still pretty new I test almost every day. I will lessen the testing once I feel certain the tank is truly stable and some of the new tank syndrome problems I am having stop.

 

[yhbae]

Only if I feel I need to test them. Otherwise, they get urrr once every 6 months.

It seems that once the tank matures, it isn't easy to throw its water parameter off as long as you stick to sensible water change schedules.

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

Not as often as I should.

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Once a week. Something could go wrong at any time, and doing it once a week, will mean a speedier response to any disasters.

 

[shmax101]

You didnt put all the options up for the poll =) I used to check my water and test it all the time, but for the last like 9 months, i havent checked it at all. If you do consistant water changes, and keep your tanks properly heated/filtered/fed, you shouldnt have to be burning up a test kit. Relax and enjoy your fish!

 

[yhbae]

I still record every single water change (and any other significant actions I've performed) in the spread sheet since I started this hobby. This includes testing water parameters.

It seems that I used to do it daily, to twice a week, to once a week, to once every two weeks, to once every two months to almost never... I have yet to loose fish due to water conditions however, so I don't see myself checking water parameters frequently anytime soon...

 

[shmax101]

I agree. The number one reason why people lose fish (assuming they understand the nitrogen cycle) is by introducing new fish without quarantine. Your water parameters, if the tanks is appropriately maintained, should not vary much, and will only be a problem if your municipal water supply gets a heavy dose of treatment or pollution, which does happen, but rarely strong enough to cause major problems.

 

[Guppylover]

I only test my water when I think something is wrong because I don't have my own testing kit and I have to go to the lfs to get it tested. When I do get my testing kit I would test it every two weeks.

 

[Magnolia_360]

I test mine with everyone water change which is about every 2 weeks.

 

[*~*DaRk_AnGeL*~*]

It's usually once a week, but if I'm too busy or forget it would be the week after. I write down the Brackish-Water parameters in one note book, the Freshwater in another and (when my saltwater tank is finished being set up and running) my Saltwater in yet another small note book.
I does get confusing testing all the tanks though

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I used to test it weekly but there was never anything wrong and it cost me a lot in water tests, so now I feel I am ok to only test if I think there's a problem.

 

[dan dan the fish man]

i test it everyday and sometimes 2 times per day when i do my water change

 

[WheelmanCA19]

3,4,5 times a day when i was doing fishless cycling. Just couldn't wait to add fish. Added the fish, and since then I tested it once before my weekly water change to see the parameters. Still do weekly changes on the 20 gallon of 20%. If I ever want to push that to two weeks I'll check the parameters after the first week, but, i usually just feel like going ahead and changing the water. I'm colorblind anyway, so its hard enough to say if its green or blue, let alone what shade it is)

 

[CFC]

I only test for nitrate and pH with any regularity these days and i do that roughly about every two to three weeks. The only other time i do any other tests is if i feel something is wrong or i have added something which i feel may affect the water chemistry.