how can some people keep their fish without water test kits?

[koltsixx]

not sure I agree with the fish showing signs thing, if my fish acting weird, color bad, off feeding because of water quality then it is already having an effect on them. is this not what you want to avoid as some dmg has been done to one extent or another?

It's no different then if a test kit is showing a problem in my opinion. If the test kit is reflecting a negative reading it means the fish have already been affected but you missed the visual cues the fish where giving among others signs.

I look at my tanks everyday and quite often so I can tell even slight differences in water color and clarity among other things and the same goes for my fish. I notice every little difference in their behavior well before the more serious signs of bad color, off feeding or rapid breathing. I can tell by how they react to my approach their general activity level etc.

 

[tyjo1334]

Haven't tested my water in 2 years. I have 19 fish and 7 Nerite snails in a75 gallon. Never an issue so never a need to test.


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[pops]

not looking to argue or flame, but if the fish are showing effects in there behavior no mater how subtle they are, they have already been subject. best to keep nitrates below 20ppm nitrate and not have there behavior influenced by water quality. internal dmg starts at 25 ppm, 20ppm is to give a buffer before water toxicity starts to dmg internal organs. sorry just not get the logic. if behavior is altered then dmg being done.

 

[Jreeper]

i never do test !! my paroons are 24" and i have breeding pairs of lobster

 

[ahsan64]

I never do water test.
I think big fishes like paroon and arowana can survive even in hard conditions so for them water test not matters .
Test may be needed for small fishes.

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[HungDang]

for me, test kits are useless since they don't sell the test kit for stuff that are "too expensive to buy a good digital tester for it". Good filters and water changes will keep your tank off pretty much any problem.

 

[koltsixx]

not looking to argue or flame, but if the fish are showing effects in there behavior no mater how subtle they are, they have already been subject. best to keep nitrates below 20ppm nitrate and not have there behavior influenced by water quality. internal dmg starts at 25 ppm, 20ppm is to give a buffer before water toxicity starts to dmg internal organs. sorry just not get the logic. if behavior is altered then dmg being done.

It's cool we can disagree without arguing and maybe even come to new frames of mind through discussion. I personally don't get offended just because someone proves I'm wrong, I'd rather learn but I also do need real proof as to why one instance is better then another.

Now ask yourself how often do you check your water? Daily? Weekly? Whose more likely to see Nitrate ppm hit 25? Someone who does testing routinely at set intervals or someone who notices every nuance of their fishes behavior, water clarity, smell and color? Think the most common reason people test their water off routine? Most people test their water off routine because they noticed a difference in their fishes behavior, unfortunately most don't notice till the fish are already sick. What's the remedy for parameters being off? Water change right? Well if that's so then where's the preventative advantage a set water testing routine gives over observation and knowing your tank and fish?

 

[JayC74]

No test kit in years here. My more sensitive fish like my plecs and clown loaches are my signals. Their behavior says it all, esp those active loaches

 

[strollo22]

If I had a more reliable easier way to test nitrates then I would test more frequently. I've never had luck with the API liquid quit or strips for that matter when it comes to nitrates so I just gave up. I can test nitrates and they'll read off the charts then I'll do a huge water change and they'll still read off the charts. My tap water will test 60 ppm even though it's really 4ppm. I gave up on it lol.

 

[F1 VET]

Once I realized how well pothos worked and my WC schedule was good then I can basically guess what the nitrates are and I'm usually very close. Once you get a feel for your tank and your stock you know when a WC is needed.

Seriously though pothos. I bought a huge 15$ bush of it and split it between 2 tanks, it sucks at least 10 ppms a day and as it grows it does more work. Big pothos are awesome

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Nice!



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Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763