On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 18:57:02 GMT, "blove" wrote:

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!



Since Ryan expresses much the opinion I have been forming, and given
his ten years of experience, I am not worried about my tanks getting
out of hand. I only have only a year, this time around, with my
tanks, but I am getting by fine without all the testing. I think both
approaches work, it is a matter of preferences. The occasional
measurements I make show no variance and I do not add any chemicals
which would cause a variance should I make a mistake. I trust in what
I can see and have yet to have a smelly tank.