Testing tank parameters

[Jigsaw82]

So I have a detailed question. We all know that doing a water change will change the water parameters, that’s why we do water changes, to get rid of bad stuff like waste, ammonia, nitrates. So if I want to test water parameters on the same day that I’m doing a water change should I test the water parameters before or after the water change?

 

[Aiken Drum]

If you are seeing ammonia during your day to day tank maintenance that you need to remove by water changes, that would be a concern as you arent cycled and you should be looking into the cause. Are you overstocked perhaps?

I would be doing water tests before a water change. Its more likely you will detect issues before than afterwards. These water tests arent that accurate, and lowering the parameters through a water change before a test might give you a false sense of security.

 

[Jigsaw82]

If you are seeing ammonia during your day to day tank maintenance that you need to remove by water changes, that would be a concern as you arent cycled and you should be looking into the cause. Are you overstocked perhaps?

I would be doing water tests before a water change. Its more likely you will detect issues before than afterwards. These water tests arent that accurate, and lowering the parameters through a water change before a test might give you a false sense of security.

Thank you for your response

 

[Sniperhank]

I'm more interested in my levels when I'm done with the water change. It will let you know if you need to do another, maybe a larger one next week, feed more, feed less...

 

[Magaratz]

I’m more comfortable in testing prior to water changes.

 

[Dary421]

IMO,…it probably doesn’t matter wether you Ck your parameters before or after your water changes as long as you do it consistently and don’t change up ,…. Me personally , I’m with hank I Ck mine the day after a water change just to let things blend in