Originally Posted by
frykiller
I my self never rely on one indicator. I still use the old try and true method.
I do weekly if not daily water changes .
But to dismiss an idea or slam some one for having a different method then yours is just as stupid as tossing out your test kits .
I do not believe the Discus breeders over seas test there water as we do. They simply rely on the fact that massive water changes will keep the
tank clean. #1a Im pretty sure all discus breeders rely on massive waterchanges
My question to you is..
If you use a Nitrate test kit . And the test is low to zero and there is no ammonia .
#1b I would say I just did a waterchange and my biological filter is working correctly.
If a TDS test showed water that had a higher TDS count then say a week ago ? Would you do a water change or just rely
only on your Nitrite/Nitrate/Ammonia test ?
#2This is a hypothetical question that makes absolutley no sense at all. if there is no ammonia and no nitrate, then I would say there are no fish in the tank and im adding no food to create ammonia. If in some bizzaro world where this could happen and it did, then the answer is no, I would not use a tds meter to tell me when to do a water change, why would I? theres no ammonia or nitrates.
Me ? I feel a rising TDS is ALSO an indicator that should be used. Not the only one but one of many.
I use Time. ( how long has it been since I last changed water )
#3If you are asking yourself when was the last time I changed my water, youve got big problems, Im not even going to comment any further on that.
Nitrite/Nitrate/Ammonia test ( Any indicator would trigger a water change )
#4If you biological filter is working, you should only be getting a nitrate reading, unless your doing 100% waterchanges and feeding lightly.
TDS ( as the number go's up , I decide if a Large water change is needed to bring the number back down )
PH ( if the PH starts to stay above the desired number a water change is in order )
#5If your PH is fluctuating, you have massive problems goin on, whens the last time you changes your water?
I suggest you buy a nitrate test kit and do daily water changes
That is a stupid statement !
There is no way a logical person can say
It may not show YOU what you need to know or are interested in but who's to say someone else is not gaining info that may or may not be of help
to them . To dismiss it because it dose not fit into your/someone else s fish keeping system is very small minded .
#6Hey pal, just trying to help,makes no difference to me. Ive never been accused of being a genius. its not that it doesnt fit into a system, it just doesnt make any sense, because you are using an instrument to measure a compound that it cannot measure.
its like trying to use a telescope to see an atom.
Who is this person you talk about ?
#7you
I to would like to impress on him/her that a TDS meter is in no way the only test one should use.
#8Look in the mirror and start talking.
A smart fish keeper relies on ALL available knowledge. The more we know the better we are able to maintain and keep fish in a safe and healthy
manner. It is our responsibility to make sure we are doing ALL we can to there homes clean .
#9 Ok sounds great, im glad we agree on something, I suggest you throw your tds meter in the garbage and do a waterchange.
If he/she did truly say that , then I agree it is not only a stupid thing to do but a very bad thing to recommend.
Again I would like the opportunity to question this statement.
same answer as #7and#8