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How frequently does anyone test his or her water chemistry for an established tank?
How frequently does anyone need to test his or her pH level? Nitrite? Nitrate? Ammonia? General Hardness? Carbonate hardness? Alkalinity? Temperature?
Do you test before or/and after adding new fish? If you do, what do you measure, all of the above and a specific test?
Do you test one or all of these after or before a water change? OR do you do both and note the change?
Does the size of the tank, type of fish, saltwater / freshwater, planted / fake plants dictate the measurement frequency?
Does anyone keep a record of his or her measurements?

Thank you in advance for anyones help.

At the risk of incurring some wrath, my honest answer is:

I used to test at least every 2 weeks. I have an Excel spreadsheet that I use to track my results. However, after several months of stable test results, I now test only periodically (when I think 'Hey, I haven't tested in quite a while!'), which usually means once every 6-8 weeks. Still getting stable results, so I'm just gonna keep on keepin' on!

I test for pH and nitrate, and have an in-tank ammonia "meter" (colored disk that reports "good", "warning" or "danger!".

To be honest I only check water quality often in the first few months of a new tank. After that (with regular water changes 20% weekly) unless there is a problem, or treatment is required, I check monthly.

when cycling my tank every day after cycle i test my water before i do my 30% water change and vac try to do my changing once a week.

I have 2 thermometers (one inside in the water, one stuck to the glass) and an ammonia sensor in the tank for constant monitoring (the safe, alert, danger type as previously mentioned). Absent any signs from the fish, I test monthly BEFORE I do that weeks weekly water change. I test for everything with a combination of a test tube type kit and test strips. I always test before the addition of fish and 1 week after. Since the tank cycled, I only keep the prior reading - put it on a post it with the date and drop it in the test kit box until the next time.

I just dont at all.
I use the same products all the time. When I go to get some supplies I might take a sample and get it fully tested.
But I do temp test every day.

Go on howl me down. I rearly have problems, or deaths. Reason 30+ years expereience and constantly good housekeeping.

Keith

[span class="edited"][Edited by keithgh 2004-07-17 01:02][/span]

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
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I never test.

I test when I'm curious.. which isn't very often.

I test when I'm curious, changing something, or if something goes wrong

I check my temps several times a day each week...and once a day... Just so see if it changes throughout the day, and to see if it stays stable during the rest of the week

I never test.

Same here.

Actually I did once last week (to make sure it was just bacteria that was killing my corys).

pH: 6.7
Am: 0
No2: 0
No3: 4

Perfect...

(I owe it to having a planted tank)

[span class="edited"][Edited by Cory Addict 2004-07-17 03:16][/span]

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I'm not your neighbor, you Bakersfield trash.

Weekly.

I check temps often, mostly because it's been very hot here lately.

Otherwise not unless there's something specific I need or want to know.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean