How Often Do You Test?

[Ian H]

Just wondering how often people test their water and what they test for?

i test once every two weeks (when i do a water change) for ammonia and nitrite and maybe once a month for nitrate (last couple of months its been around 5ppm so didnt feel the need to test it!!)

i barely every test ph and i have a gh & kg test kit but barely use them either

 

[shroob]

Honestly, I've only ever tested water once, that was when I got a second hand tank and a test kit came with it. Might be frowned upon, but I havn't lost a fish in a long long time, atleast 20% water changes a week, I don't feel the need to test water. The only time I tested it was out of curiosity.

 

[doresy]

If it ain't broke, don't mess with it!

I only test if a fish looks unwell or sudden death occurs

 

[Ian H]

If it ain't broke, don't mess with it!

I only test if a fish looks unwell or sudden death occurs

i agree with that but its always good to check!!

i though tthe other day i dont see the point in testing since im doing the same thing every week and nothing unusual is happening

 

[ptyson21]

If it ain't broke, don't mess with it!

I only test if a fish looks unwell or sudden death occurs

I'll second that!!

 

[Electricity]

I test once a week or so. I test Nitrite, nitrate, ph, and amonia. I figure its better to be safe then sorry. I'd rather get the same readings every week, then have something pop up and I don't know about it.

 

[andywg]

I test my reef for KH and calcium, very occasionally I look at nitrates and phosphates, but that is it.

 

[rdd1952]

I almost never test my tanks but they have been running for close to 3 years (one over 3 years) and all are problem free (over-filtered and under-stocked too). For beginners, I think it is very important to test on a regular basis so that you can quickly catch any potential problems but once the tanks are established and mature and you know what to look for as signs of a problem, testing becomes mostly unimportant until you suspect a problem.

 

[andywg]

For beginners, I think it is very important to test on a regular basis so that you can quickly catch any potential problems

I am unconvinced of this point. I am not dismissing it out of hand, but how often do people look at a small change in their parameters and think the sky is going to fall on their heads? Couple this with the basic inaccuracy of tests aimed at the hobby keeper and you have a recipe for people trying to do fishkeeping by numbers and getting upset at the values.

 

[cheesy feet]

I rarely test unless there is a problem.I never knew that the test kits could be so innacurate, especially at the price they charge.This guys was way off and its the 'most reccomended' API master kit.
http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...ow-Embarrasing/

 

[fry_lover]

I rarely test unless there is a problem.I never knew that the test kits could be so innacurate, especially at the price they charge.This guys was way off and its the 'most reccomended' API master kit.
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...ow-Embarrasing/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...ow-Embarrasing/[/URL]

The kit was 18 months old anyway and testing for nitrate even with brand new kits and doing it to the letter of instructions is a bit hit and miss to say the least.

I test for nitrite weekly or fortnightly, just as a precaution, its my understanding that nitrite kits are generally more reliable and as you are basically testing for a "yes" or "no" i find them easy.... i.e nitrite or no nitrite, any reading is a concern for me

I am afraid i cant provide scientific proof of nitrite kits being more reliable but i am just going to live life on the edge tonight and say i think they are more reliable

 

[Tacklebury]

Once my tank is set up and running i never check the water. This only became apparent when i changed tank recently and suddenly realise i had all these test kits hidden away!!!

 

[Luketendo]

Every week for Ammonia, Nitrite and and Nitrate.

If anything is wrong, I water change.

 

[raptorrex]

i use test kits only when cycling now. but if i think there is a problem, i guess a would give the water stats a look.

 

[Duck and Dive]

I use multi test strips once every two weeks. The multi test strips save you a lot of money than buying an individual test kit for each of the different water quilities.