When to Test?

[chrisjj625]

Do you test before or after your water change, or other time? If other time, when? Why?

 

[andrewey]

If it's a parameter like nitrate or phosphate, I test after my water change. If it's something like calcium, alkalinity, or magnesium, I do spot checks, but always before a water change (and with each bucket of salt, I will test that bucket's parameters).

 

[Fishbird]

Both! That way you know how much your water changes are helping with removal of nitrates and phosphates, and you know how much calc, alk, and mag your tank consumes and how much is replaced by your water changes. That way you can make informed decisions about when/if to dose. I wait a couple hours after a water change to do those tests. That way I know everything has been mixed throughout the tank.