What do you test for?

[EGMono]

What do you test your aquarium water for on a daily, weekly, monthly or other interval? Anything from temperature and pH to whatever else you might check.

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

I check temperature daily, and I test for PH, Ammonia, Nitrate's, and Nitrite's every other day.

 

[jetajockey]

i don't test for anything unless the tank is relatively new, or if the fish are having any sort of issue. I have thermometers in my heated tanks, and I do eyeball those while I'm feeding, or i just go by what the water feels like.

 

[Homedog98]

I Test water parameters weekly on cycled tanks, daily on uncycled, and I test when theres a problem. temperature is every day.

 

[Aspencer]

I test my 10g cylced tank twice a week just to keep an eye on it and do a 50% PWC once a week.

My new 20g Long is tested everyday. I has just been cycled and has 3 Swordtails for the second day.

I test for pH, Ammonia, NO2, & NO3. Once a month, for reference, I test kH and gH, P, & K.

 

[adadkins1]

All of my tanks are cycled so I only check ammonia and nitrite rarely or if there are signs of stress/illness (luckily never had to do it for either of those reasons). If the tank is uncycled probably once a day. Nitrates are checked once every week to 10 days. I have never tested pH or hardness. Temperature is a couple of times every day.

 

[HUKIT]

I haven't touched my API kit in over six months, only thing I do is a head count and a temp check daily.

 

[Hubert90]

I test my nitrate, phosphate in my 10 gallon planted! To keep everything in balance! Otherwise! Just temp!! As I'm confident that everything else is stable!

 

[karen21]

I test daily for everything..
I have a SMALL tank, and have had problems..
I am also new to this hobby. (7mths.x)

 

[BillD]

I don't test for anything, but, periodically check the tanks temp on those I have with heaters.

 

[fort384]

On a new setup, I check ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, temp, KH, and GH pretty regularly. Once it is full of plants, I will check several times after the first few doses to make sure I am getting the Fe and PO4 doses correct, and adjust accordingly.

Once the ferts are on track and the tank is established, I don't really test for anything (except continuously checking CO2 using a drop checker, and a PO4 test once every 6 weeks or so) unless I think something is wrong.

 

[kelly77143]

Once a week

 

[plecoking]

I just do 15-20% water change once a week and test it then. There are some times though when I don't use the test kit at all. If you do regular water changes, a test kit is not necessary.

It does however come in handy when something does go wrong and you need to look for the test kit for confirmation. I pretty much know what my water parameters are going to be each week so testing is redundant. Water change fixes most things.

 

[fort384]

I just do 15-20% water change once a week and test it then. There are some times though when I don't use the test kit at all. If you do regular water changes, a test kit is not necessary.

I disagree with that statement, especially for a beginner fishkeeper. PWCs will help with nutrient export, but a test kit is a very important part of responsible fish keeping.

 

[Island_Emt]

My tank is cycled and I test water every two weeks or so. I think its just a habit.

 

[karen21]

I just do 15-20% water change once a week and test it then. There are some times though when I don't use the test kit at all. If you do regular water changes, a test kit is not necessary.

It does however come in handy when something does go wrong and you need to look for the test kit for confirmation. I pretty much know what my water parameters are going to be each week so testing is redundant. Water change fixes most things.

Maybe Plecoking means that when a normal pwc happens, there could be confidence in not bothering with a check??

I wouldn't have that confidence, but then I am a "newbie"

 

[fort384]

I agree that with time and experience comes a little more of a "feeling" when everything is going fine. I would suggest anyone new to the hobby test their tank a least a few times a month, and almost daily when cycling.

 

[allaboutfish]

I test once a week before my water change. I test ammo nitrites and nitrates. I look at the temp everyday and I fo a head count in my tanks everyday.

 

[subliminalanarchy]

So are you claiming that ammonia and nitrite are not harmful to fish then? If not then I certainly don't see how putting a fish through harm is more humane than not?

Just curious as to whether you really believe that or you're just trying to get a response.

 

[subliminalanarchy]

I check temp everyday and do a daily head count. I rarely test anything else unless something is wrong or I'm expecting a mini-cycle. Occasionally test nitrate just to make sure I'm keeping up with the necessary water changes.