ALWAYS test tap water before a water change!

[duanes]

I agree, those that are on a small lake/reservoir, or supplied by a river as a surface water source should be prepared to experience drastic fluctuations.

Duanes - You are sooooooo lucky you have a stable water source.
I really think I just got lucky with my other water changes, or I just have crazy hardy fish

 

[MilitantPotato]

Pick up a tds meter for $20 and chlorine test strips to avoid this in the future. Knowing the chlorine/chloramine concentration ensures you dose the right amount of dechlorinator.

The tds meter is useful for knowing if the lines are fouled. When they fixed a main near my house it was unreadably high for several days and after a heavy rain they're much higher sometimes.

Sent from my LG-E980 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

 

[k13k07]

I hadn't heard of a tds meter before, I'll have to pick one up soon. Looks like they test overall water quality, but I live in Florida, I've been told it's all hard water here, so I'm not too sure how that would show up but it sounds like a good idea, thanks!

 

[PrettyPoly]

I recently experienced HUGE losses due to exactly that ^^^. I moved to a new section of the country and tested my tap water a few times, zero across the board. I wasn't aware but spring thaw brings MASSIVE amounts of run off from the nearby farm fields. The water quality goes silly with nitrates, and ammonia, as well as chlorine dumped in for good measure. Apparently it usually only lasts a few weeks but the weather here has been constant thaw freeze snow thaw freeze snow so it's consistently bad. Needless to say I now triple dose prime and have since had no issues, but I DEFINITELY test my tap before each W/C.