water testing

Last weekend I finally took the plunge and switched from all gravel with fake plants to a dirted/ planted set up! I'm super happy with the look (except for the tanins from the driftwood used... despite having soaked it for a month ahead of time--- but that's another issue :-)) I have been...

I have the API test kit, and three cycled tanks. None has shown any ammonia or Nitrites for months. The nitrates are always 20 or below. How often should I be testing the water at this point? Once a month, and more often for nitrates only?

Hi All...I am new to Tropical Fish Keeping. I need some help...BAD! I have been trying for years to keep goldfish. I am CRAZY about ranchu, lionhead and orandas. There is something in my well water that is killing my fish. I have a 50 gallon tank in the house that is filled with a...

I have just got a "alkalinity test kit by salifert" but reading the instructed I have not fully under stand haw to convert the reading back to a reading that I under stand. I under stand about the proses to get to the pick/red water but then reading the left over in the 2nd syringe and then...

what are some good water testing kits or strips?

I'm fixing to display my newbie ignorance... I know I need to test the water and change the water weekly in my tank, but do I test the water before or after I change it? Or do I need to test it on a different day?

My education on the aquarium hobby is improving thanks to the input on this forum. I would now like to add to it by understanding what all you experts test for outside of normal testing. I'll give an overview and start from there. By normal in my reef tank I test for Amm, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH...

So I did my first test today, and I do have some questions. First I'll show my results here.. Low range PH test: 7.6 High range PH test: 8.2 NO2 Nitrite test: 0PPM NO3 Nitrate test: 40? Might be less. Ammonia test: Was between 0 and .25 PPM. I believe these are all accurate. Now for my...