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Water testing, how often?

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Mandakins

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Hello everyone

I was just wondering how often I should test my Axies water? (Ammonia, Nitrate)

I don't have a test kit but the pet shop said that I could bring in a water sample any time. Is every one or two weeks enough if everything is looking good?

I have a PH test that I can do every week when I change the water.
 
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dodgy

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i test all my tanks once a week, 12 of em so i do my own, an API fresh water master test kit (liquid) serves my purpose easily & only £15. takes 2 mins per test, dead easy.
 
melfly

melfly

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I would recommend buyin your own test kit.
As you will then know whats going on yourself and the API test kits are accurate and simple to use.

Mel
 
M

Mandakins

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Thanks guys.

I'll look at buying my own test kit in a few weeks.
(Here in Australia the API master test kit costs about $70-$75.)

Manda
 
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222693

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Yes, why is it that they are soo much more expensive in Australia??? Here in Perth it's $30 per test for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites (so $90!- or a kit for $80). It's not fair! :)

Love to hear the 'Just go buy a kit' comments... I'm a student .... so I think that 1 x weekly free checks at aquarium is ok for now. Especially since my parameters have been so far perfect each time. I'd rather buy better food.

That being said tho' I'm asking for the test kit for xmas. (and my family is pretty good at getting u what u want) ... so yay... will be great to be able to check at home. Really want to keep them happy!

Wishing u smooth sailing.
 
Darkmaverick

Darkmaverick

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If you have to stagger the purchases, start with the ammonia kit first. The nitrites come next. Nitrates are less important to get in terms of urgency.
 
melfly

melfly

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That is expensive.
Mine was about 20 pounds.
I suppose as long as you know the pet store or whoever are testing are not just using the dipsticks and saying everything is fine - when it might not be, then you're ok. Thats what they do round here.
Mel
 
M

Mandakins

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Hi Melfly

Yes I've watched them do the tests with little glass vials and bottles of solution.

Thank you :D
 
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blackdog

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Dont even need to go to ebay - Aquarium Supermarket - API Freshwater Master Test Kit - 800 tests!

Love to hear the 'Just go buy a kit' comments... I'm a student ....
Click to expand...

I love to hear the "I'm a student" excuse to not have the equipment you need to look after your animals properly.

To me it's either have what you need before you committ to the responsibility, or wait until you do.

Anyways, to get a kit from the link above should only be about $50.

how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. So, what could you do to save $2 per day?

Drink a glass of water instead of a can of coke with lunch?
Get up early and ride to the train instead of the bus?
Drink 1 water for every beer at the night club?
Take a sandwich from home instead of buying it at the school cafe?
Keep using your old runners for one more month before buying a new pair?

I know, you are going to tell me how frugal you are and how you do all those things already - but it's not the point i'm making. i'm saying if you really want something, you'll make it happen.

Save $2 a day and you'll have your kit in less than a month.

Bren
 
yellowpebble

yellowpebble

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I agree to an extent but when I was a student I was living off $50 a week. Its not that easy. Often they don’t even have 2 bucks to spare. She is getting it done once a week, i think that’s enough. Everyone raises animals in different ways and being a student and not having the money for a test kit isn't lacking in responsibility, you just find ways around it, like the pet store method.

I'm not saying OP shouldn't buy one if they could.
 
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blackdog

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Ha ha - no i hadn't noticed that

i love a good zombie post (one that keeps rising from the dead...)

B
 
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