Testing Water

[Will2]

When should i be testing the water, before or after a water change?

 

[K.J.]

When should i be testing the water, before or after a water change?

Check it weekly, more if the fish show symptoms. But chances are, unless you have very high levels, a water change will temporarily rid most of any ammonia/nitrite/nitrAte.

 

[cane76]

if its quite a new tank once a week sounds about right
on a mature tank i only test if i suspect something is wrong

 

[Griz]

Test before you do a water change. I would also test your tap water. Take a sample in a clean container and let it sit for a day or so, shake it once in a while, then test it. Test again after you do a change. This way you will get a better feel for how water changes effect the parameters in your tank. I used up an entire master test kit pretty quickly when I started out. I encourage you to do the same. As time goes on you will use tests very infrequently so the money is well spend gaining experience. I can't remember the last time I tested my tanks, I've gotten to know them so well that I no longer need to test unless I suspect a problem.

 

[-germ-]

I assume the tanks cycled?
If not twice daily.....
I'm cycling fish in (stupid i know) and test once in the morning, in the evening before a water change and sometimes half an hour after the water change, once everythings settled......