Water tests and frequencies
- Thread starter Karalak42
- Start date
Me? I've tested nitrate, PH and Ammonia once in the last 10 years or so.
But it sounds like you're new to this, so PH, Nitrate and Ammonia if your tank isn't cycled every day or two.
OK so I guess u have a filter that does its job and water chandes and it's OK. I'd like that too cuz 24 tests wallet. Seems like rocket science to me
Once a system is established, and you understand what's going on in your system, then the need for regular testing lessens. You'll get to the stage where you just know what your parameters are going to be without even testing them.
But if you start messing with your water change frequency/amount changed out, or start feeding more, or add more fish, then these things can play havoc with your parameters, and you'll need to start testing again until things settle down.
The initial outlay for the API liquid test kit is a bit steep to some, but it lasts for a long time.
But if you start messing with your water change frequency/amount changed out, or start feeding more, or add more fish, then these things can play havoc with your parameters, and you'll need to start testing again until things settle down.
The initial outlay for the API liquid test kit is a bit steep to some, but it lasts for a long time.
If you are new to aquariums or just cycling your new tank, I suggest the API Master test kit which has reagents for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. Separately they sell the GH and KH reagents to determine hardness and alkalinity of your tap and tank water.
The above tests if you are doing a freshwater aquarium, saltwater tanks may require more testers.
The above tests if you are doing a freshwater aquarium, saltwater tanks may require more testers.
One of the reasons I regularly (maybe once per month) test for nitrate, is to let me know if my water change schedule is adequate.
If I get a few 1-2" oscars, and put them in a 75 gal tank, a once per month water change may be able to keep nitrate at 5 ppm or less in the beginning.
But as these fish grow, two weeks in-between water changes may not be enough, I may find nitrate levels have crept up to 10ppm or higher (water changes are the only reliable way to keep nitrate at safe levels, filtration does not).
This tells me my water change schedule and amount may not be up to par for that size tank.
The other way I might find out, weeks later, is my oscars may be showing signs of HITH disease.
The test would have let me know much sooner.
And later when those same oscars are 5" or more, when nitrates may be hitting 20ppm or higher, to keep nitrates from creating chronic disease, testing might "suggest" a weekly or bi-weekly 50% water change schedule, or "suggest that 75 gal tank does not have sufficient water volume for those larger fish.
The disease section has any number of posts where people state "my oscars, or other fish were fine for 2 years, but now they are scarred up, or worse".
A regular test regime, and analyzing what the information those tests tell, may have prevented may of these disease type posts.
Same goes for pH, it lets us know when acidification from excess nutrients in the water is occurring, and that water changes are needed.
Experienced aquarists may easily recognize some of these things without testing, but aquarists with only a few years of fish keeping under their belts may need help, and that's what water testing provides.
If I get a few 1-2" oscars, and put them in a 75 gal tank, a once per month water change may be able to keep nitrate at 5 ppm or less in the beginning.
But as these fish grow, two weeks in-between water changes may not be enough, I may find nitrate levels have crept up to 10ppm or higher (water changes are the only reliable way to keep nitrate at safe levels, filtration does not).
This tells me my water change schedule and amount may not be up to par for that size tank.
The other way I might find out, weeks later, is my oscars may be showing signs of HITH disease.
The test would have let me know much sooner.
And later when those same oscars are 5" or more, when nitrates may be hitting 20ppm or higher, to keep nitrates from creating chronic disease, testing might "suggest" a weekly or bi-weekly 50% water change schedule, or "suggest that 75 gal tank does not have sufficient water volume for those larger fish.
The disease section has any number of posts where people state "my oscars, or other fish were fine for 2 years, but now they are scarred up, or worse".
A regular test regime, and analyzing what the information those tests tell, may have prevented may of these disease type posts.
Same goes for pH, it lets us know when acidification from excess nutrients in the water is occurring, and that water changes are needed.
Experienced aquarists may easily recognize some of these things without testing, but aquarists with only a few years of fish keeping under their belts may need help, and that's what water testing provides.
Thank you il keep that in mind for the future. I have a few young oscars too now
I was thinking once a week testing after tank is established pH gh kh and nitrates
I bought the sera drip reaction tests