Tank fully cycled for weeks now, reduce testing frequency?

**Fraoch** · 03-25-2009, 01:09 PM

My tank cycled a few weeks ago and my nightly testing is showing the same thing every time:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5

This is what I was hoping to achieve, of course, but now that the tank has cycled it hasn't changed. I have changed things in the tank - added and removed fish, took the activated carbon out of the filter, etc. but the readings have not moved (thank goodness!)

Should I keep testing every day? Do any of you reduce it to once every two days or less? Personally I wouldn't go less than once every two days - don't know why I'm thinking this though.

To reduce my workload a bit I've been using up the last of the test strips and only doing a full round of liquid tests when I do a change in the aquarium. The test strips agree with the liquid tests and are almost finished now.

**fins_n_fur** · 03-25-2009, 01:13 PM

If you have fish in the tank, then testing weekly before your water change is usually good enough until you are more comfortable on how your fish act and behave. Drop tests are better than the strips.

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-25-2009, 01:15 PM

I very, very seldom test once a tank is cycled. If you know you have a good cycle there really is no reason to test any further. If you should have problems later or want to know periodically, then test but all the time now is not necessary,

**Fraoch** · 03-25-2009, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by fins_n_fur

Drop tests are better than the strips.

I absolutely agree, but rather than drastically reduce my testing I figured I'd use these up. Better than no testing.

If they showed anything odd I would have followed up with a liquid test, but they never did.

I won't replace them when they're gone. They are actually pretty expensive (about $20 for 25 strips around here!)

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-25-2009, 01:27 PM

I wouldn't be in a hurry to "use them up." They cost money and it would be nice to have some on hand for emergencies.........such as after adding medications, etc.

**Jaster** · 03-25-2009, 01:38 PM

I test daily too... Maybe I can back off my tests a little too.

**ILuvMyGoldBarb** · 03-25-2009, 01:48 PM

THe last time I tested anything in my tank it was the Alkalinity in my reef tank. I don't remember the last time I checked a tank for Ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Keeping fish is kind of like looking after a baby, you know something is wrong simply by looking. Water quality is the same thing. Your fish will let you know when water quality is not what it needs to be. However, that said, you should be doing water changes that are large enough and frequently enough that your nitrate will never get to dangerous levels. In a properly established tank ammonia and nitrite should never go up.

**Fraoch** · 03-25-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

I wouldn't be in a hurry to "use them up." They cost money and it would be nice to have some on hand for emergencies.........such as after adding medications, etc.

Good point, but don't they have a limited shelf life? My first batch (Jungle 6-in-1 strips) came packed with a desiccant, a sign that moisture in air will compromise them.

**Fraoch** · 03-25-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by ILuvMyGoldBarb

Keeping fish is kind of like looking after a baby, you know something is wrong simply by looking. Water quality is the same thing. Your fish will let you know when water quality is not what it needs to be.

My Dad has been keeping fish for 30 years or more...he knows nothing about tank cycling, testing, etc. and thinks I'm totally crazy.

His advice? "Listen to your fish, they'll tell you when something's wrong."

I'll drop testing down to once a week before water changes. I won't stop testing completely, I'm a chemical engineer and love this stuff

but it does cost money and if it doesn't tell me any new information, it's also a waste of time.

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-25-2009, 02:19 PM

The only problem with listening to your fish is sometimes they tell you nothing until it's too late. They may be doing OK with ammonia levels at .50, swimming around and acting normal. The next day they may be dead. The point in the tests is to correct problems before they happen. The level of toxins often do not kill them as much as the continued level of toxins.

You figure, a test kit will run you about $20 but last some time. You can pay that much for two or three fish and have them die immediately.