Yes, it does go against the grain. It also goes against the grain when we advise that nutrients don't cause algae. Do you remember that one? Think about that very carefully and very rationally. Think about the fact that we can consistently keep healthy fish and inverts in a tank being fed regular massive doses of nitrate. Yet at the same time, highly respected fishkeepers and shrimpkeepers are saying that you must rid the tank of nitrate in order to be successful.
People have been programmed to use test kits. The reason for this is that vendors want to sell test kits. It's a very lucrative business. We are programmed to believe that the test kits can tell us more about our tanks than we can discern simply by looking at the tank. We are told to believe that the test kits can control the tank better than we can by following simple rules of plant and animal husbandry. And when the test kit tells us something we immediately respond by running to the LFS and buying some product supposedly designed to fix the problem that the test kit told us about. Does this sound familiar? There is an entire infrastructure built using test kits as it's foundation.
Do people actually understand what pH means. or what KH or GH actually mean at the molecular level? Very few people do. It's a seemingly complicated set of measurements best left to the people who actually study such things. So we assume the test kit manufacturers know, and they instruct us to take action when the test kit reading says "XYZ". So, we put our trust in these little vials and we never actually go through the trouble of learning what's going on. The part that they don't speak about is that the test kits are grossly inaccurate and inconsistent and that these are the last things that can tell you about the stability of your tank. Here's an example; Do you own a dropchecker? If you still have the instructions from the box, have a look and you see where they tell you that you should use tank water in the dropchecker, which of course, is the worst possible advice imaginable for a dropchecker. That's an example of how off the mark highly respected manufacturers can be about their own product.
If you want to maintain a stable tank for your inmates then do all the right things for your plants. Feed your plants, change the water frequently, avoid overfeeding, do not go crazy with lighting, use CO2 wisely. When your plants are healthy then the tank is automatically healthy. The plants, as well as your habits are your foundation, not the test kit. In fact I would go so far as to say that it's even more guesswork using the kits, because they lie. They are that inaccurate.
The OP is absolutely on the right track in his intentions to go slowly and to ensure that the tank is kept clean with frequent and controlled water changes. Any problems that arise can be fixed with a change in procedure. It is cleanliness and good husbandry that will keep you out of trouble, not testing. Testing just turns you into a hamster. Fish and shrimp die because of poor husbandry, not because of lack of testing.
Cheers,
.....but kind of goes against the general opinions of some very experienced and well respected shrimp keepers. Nothing at all wrong with monitoring your water with home test kits and there are some very good kits available. If you are trying to maintain a stable environment, in particular for the more sensitive shrimp, how can you possibly do this without knowing what you are putting back into the tank during water changes etc. Otherwise at best, it's guesswork.
