i disagree, you should always regularly test your water and monitor how your
fish act so you can catch a disaster before it happens and you should never
ever let it get that bad before worrying.

"Ryan Minaker" wrote in message
...
In the 10 years I've been keeping tropical fish I have ever tested my
water for nitrate levels. I've found that if the water starts to get
cloudy or smelly then you should start to worry!