Water Testing B4 or after Water change

[ShellSea]

As title says, before I send off water for a lab test would it best to do right before water change or after? any opinions?

 

[Waters]

When you grab the sample it is a snapshot of the water quality at that point in time....therefore it depends on what you are trying to achieve with the results? I don't think it matters either way though as long as you know when you took the sample. For example, If you take the sample after the water change and things are out of whack, it could tell you that you need to do larger water changes (or more often). If you take the sample before the water change, and everything is still inline, it might tell you that you can start doing water changes less often. If feels like I am rambling lol...............

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I think the general idea is that if its your first time then do it right before a water change so you can see your system at its "worst".