water changes/maint

How often do ya'll do water changes?

Since starting the tank I've been changing it at least twice a week (maybe 30%)...it's a lot easier with the hose that attaches to the sink that came with the tank, so it's not really a bd...

But I was wondering about the "norm"

I've been checking the water every other day with the test strips, though to be honest I don't see anything other than the water is hard.

15 to 20% once a week is fine depending how stocked your tank is .

Have to do WC on my planted tanks every two weeks, but will do weekly WC if possible. If I go a month without a WC then hair algae starts growing.

On the community tank I do monthly WC as long as everything is looking good.

50% once a week. Have not missed a week for more than 2 years.

The most important thing is consistency. Well, the most important thing is keeping toxins down to safe levels, but after that - consistency. Whether you change weekly, biweekly, or monthly, maintain that interval. Reevaluate any time you alter the bioload in the tank, of course.

50% every 2 weeks
Get a liquid test kit, those strips are very unreliable.

I do need to get a different water test. Maybe I'm colorblind. Is there one available that will display numbers?

I'm still changing the water a few times a week. Not a lot of water but enough to vacuum the sand pretty thoroughly. I think a lot of this is from over feeding but I don't see all of the fish eating. I know they need to learn to eat what I give them but I've still acquired quite a number of containers of fish food and am still varying what I give them.

COco.. I've a API master test kit avil for like 12.00, about 1/3rd of retail. To ID the levels, just hold the vial in FRONT of the chart, and one will stick out.