When to test the water

[babsrocks]

I was wondering when the best time to test the water was. Before, between or after a water change. I've tested at several different times and have gotten basicly the same results. If I test after a water change, I've waited a few hours.
I do a 10-20% water change once a week.
Thanks.

 

[Erika_4404]

this is what i do i do every thing i need to do to my water like in my case add SALT, I add PRIME to get rid of the bad stuff i let it sit about 15 min to 20min make sure mt salt is desloved and by that time my prime has killed all the bad stuff.
Then I test my water if it good i put it in the tank , the i wait 5 to 10 min and test the water in my tank. this works best for that why i know thw water going in my tank is already ok and will not harm my fish.

 

[tstenback]

I usually test my established tanks weekly for ph, nitrates etc. and if everything is ok i will do a small water change 10-15%. If the levels are off then i will change more water 20-30% and i always recheck about an hour or so after the change to ensure that the desired effect has occurred. HTH

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I always test my water before the weekly water change and always take 20% out, no more. If there's a problem I will take out some more mid-week.

 

[Bol]

I test it weekly right before the water change. The main reason I do it that way is, I like to keep track of my "maximum" nitrate level. I then use that level as a monitor. If it goes up week to week, then I keep an eye out for possible overfeeding. If it goes up repeatedly, I'd probably suspect overstocking.

With other tests, I generally recheck them a second time a day or two after a water change, but only if the first test showed something unusual.