water tests

[lukenat]

i recently had my water tested and found that my lfs said that there were lots of things wrong with my water i find this hard to beleive as i am keeping discus in the tank with success how could i tell if my lfs i trying to earn money out of me

 

[boozybears]

I'd suggest you purchase your own tests and do them at home yourself.

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

or go to a second store??

 

[nc_nutcase]

Home tests kits are readily available at LFS's or online. I currently use them exclusively (and weekly) to monitor water conditions and to ensure my standard maintenance is up to par. If you want to occasionally consult your LFS to verify your home test results or further analyze concerns that's fine. Personally unless I had a problem I couldn't solve on my own, I wouldn't take water to a LFS to test.

If / when you do... it makes sense to take several samples of your water at the same time and take them to several shops. Also home test it and see whose results seem the most reliable, then always go back to them.

 

[boozybears]

When I was cycling I took a sample in to my lfs..and was told that I was finished and my levels were great. Didn't add up to me as I was cycling with fish and it had only been maybe 4 weeks at the most. So we bought the liquid tests and they showed a completely different story. Took almost three more weeks to complete the cycling process. Have never trusted the store's results since.

IMO the liquid test kits are much more accurate than those paper strips you dunk into the water.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Actually my lfs is good for testing... Its free, and they bring out the samples to show you unless they're fine (I think). But obviously test it first, I just took it there for a second opinion. And they know I've been cycling, it probably reassured them I wasn't going to put a betta in an uncycled tank...

 

[Paul_MTS]

heh when testing wtaer at work i wish we had a stash of ammonia so if they were testing before fish and we didn't like them we could send them away to do water changes

 

[OohFeeshy]

Hehe, also if they are too ignorant when you tell them they can't have a goldfish/any type of shark/ a 'nemo fish'/ whatever in their 5 gallon tank.