Home | Home & Family | Gardening

Water Test Kits For Aquariums

By: Richard Gilliland

Each test kit is rather expensive, although it's possible to save some money if you purchase a master test kit.

How do aquarium test kits work? The process is very easy - all you have to do is dip the strips in a test tube containing your aquarium water, and compare the color on the strip to the information cards that come with the package.

Another type of test kit comes with liquid droppers containing a solution you drip into a test tube of sample water. Then you just shake and wait a few minutes for the results. Again, match the color in the test tube to the color on the card to find out what the results mean.

Saltwater master test kits look for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, and even alkalinity.

Ammonia builds up in a saltwater aquarium from fish waste and leftover food that has begun to rot. It's extremely important to keep your tank free of ammonia, as it's the main reason why fish die. Readings should always be 0.

Nitrite develops when bacteria present in the tank feed off ammonia. In new tanks that have not been cycled, nitrite levels are very high. Nitrite is toxic to fish just like ammonia. To remove nitrites from the water you have to conduct a water change. Bacteria in the water and filters eventually transform nitrites into nitrate. A nitrite reading must be 0.

Nitrates are produced, as mentioned above, during the natural cycling process. While not as toxic as nitrites and ammonia, nitrates can cause your fish stress in high amounts. A partial water change will get rid of nitrates, which should be less than 20 ppm. Reef tanks should have a reading closer to 0.

pH refers to a water's acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale is between 0 and 14. Zero is the most acidic, seven is neutral, and fourteen is alkaline. Water changes can raise or lower the pH level, as does the addition of specific chemicals to the water. The right pH level depends on the type of fish you have in your tank.

An alkalinity kit tests the stability of your water in regards to a changing pH level. Essentially, this type of test specifically looks for your aquarium's capabilities for stabilizing the pH in the water. The reading in saltwater tanks should be between 7 and 12 dkH.

Testing the water in your aquarium is an important part of maintaining the tank and keeping your fish safe and healthy. Regular maintenance will ensure your aquarium continues to run smoothly, but you always have to double check by carrying out the required tests.

Article Source: Main Articles

About the Author:
Richard Gilliland writes articles on Aquarium Supplies. Other articles written by Richard Gilliland related to Elos Test Kits, aquarium chillers and Octopus Protein Skimmers could be found on the internet.

This article may be reproduced wholly or in part without written permission provided the byline, resource area, and any hyperlinks remain in order to give proper credit to the author.

Internet search engines and directory listings are imperative to your sites existence and success. Submit Your Website to the Searchen Networks directory and search engine to achieve authoritive inbound links.

Please Rate this Article

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Gardening Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Home & Family | Gardening

Setting Up A Home Garden - By : Jasper Sayer
Learning About Hydroponics Gardening - By : Jasper Sayer
The Attractiveness of a Garden Pond - By : Robert Thomson
How to Order Flowers from Online Florists - By : Andriy Azarov
Arizona Water Softener Installation For Good Quality Water - By : Thomas20 Atkinson20
A Backyard Fishpond Will Improve Looks - By : keshavlaxmi
What You May Not Know About Gardening.-00-23 - By : JohnJames
Gas Barbeques: Fast and convenient cooking - By : DanPartridge
Setting Up A Bonsai Store - By : Jess Shaw
Go Get Your Bonsai Supplies - By : Jess Shaw

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

	Submit Articles
	Member Login
	Top Authors
	Most Popular Articles
	Submission Guidelines
	Ezine Notifications
	Article RSS Feeds

	New Stuff
	About Us
	Link to Us
	Contact Us
	Privacy Policy
	Terms of Service

:: Top Author Businesses:

Try your luck, Play BlackJack

:: Our Supporters: