What To Test For

[55gal]

My Dad really thinks getting tests for the water is a stupid idea but I know I should have it done. He is not going to stop me from buying them but he wants to know exactly what tests I will need (what needs to be tested for). i also would like to know a good chlorine remover. Neither of these are things I have ever used (I know, bad fish mommy) but I know I should. I live in the US so the recommendations need to be for the US.

 

[WILDER]

Always wise to have a master kit in liquid form ammona,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
First thing we will ask if you have problems is your water stats.
Tetra a good water conditioner find one that removes heavy metals as well as the other two.

 

[celaeno]

i test for ammonia and ph mainly, but other tests you should have are nitrite and nitrate.

i use hagen/nutrafin aqua-plus as a dechlorinator.

 

[fishlette]

tell your dad that a test kit is imperative for any fish owner. when you have issues you will be asked tp provide your water stats and these tests can tell us a lot about what is going on in your water. you need to test ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH. your stats can also tell us whether your tank is cycling or not etc etc etc

im from australia so i cant really advise on water conditioners but read the label and try to get one that removes heavy metals as well

 

[55gal]

I told Dad and he said he will buy the kit but said he can't believe that if our fish start dropping dead that one of those four things are causing it and that we would be able to fix it. So if our fish start dieing are the chances that testing the water will tell us why?

 

[The-Wolf]

So if our fish start dieing are the chances that testing the water will tell us why?

yes.
the tests will show any toxic levels of ammonia and nitrIte no2 (both of which should be zero at all times)
and dangerouse levels of nitrAte no3.
the pH should be ideal for the fish you have, so a pH of 6 for malawi cichlids is dangerouse
but a ph of 8 for them is great, a ph of 8 would be deadly for amazonian fish like neons or glowlights.

all of these water parameters can change as the tank matures and they can all be recified (if they go wrong)
just by doing a few partial water changes. also they can be kept stable by doing a small (10-20%) water change
every week or every other week for larger tanks.

remember fishkeeping is not just keeping fish, you are trying to keep an entire ecosystem and the water is the
main part of that system, the more you know about the fishes enviroment the better you will be able to keep them.

 

[55gal]

Would this test kit be OK? http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=8...03&#details

here is one others, which is best do you think?
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=7...ilyID=6243&

here are chlorine removers, any preferences?
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=4...62&#details
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=7...lyID=13672&
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=8...ilyID=6111&
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=2...96&#details
http/www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=1...ilyID=3996&

these were on the website and I'm hoping some are in the Store too. We might end up going to Tropical Isle instead which is only a fish store so will have many good products.

 

[celaeno]

i recommend the api master test kit.

for my recommended dechlorinator, read my last post.