Test the Water in an Aquarium

Fish are very sensitive to water chemistry. If you are concerned about the health of your fish, if you are just starting to cycle a new tank, or if you are losing fish, it is a good idea to test the water chemistry.

Steps

  1. Obtain a water test kit. Test kits generally test for one level: nitrites, ammonia, hardness, or pH. However, 5-in-1 test strips do exist and can be found at your local aquarium shop or pet store.
  2. Start with a clean and dry test tube. Rinse it in dechlorinated water and remember that soap can harm your tank.
  3. Collect the appropriate amount of water from the aquarium you wish to test. Frequently, the test tube that comes with the kit will have a mark indicating the correct amount.
  4. Add the indicator drop by drop, according to the package directions.
  5. Mix well.
  6. Wait 5 minutes (according to directions).
  7. Compare the color of the water to the reference card. Even if it's not completely clear which of two adjacent colors matches yours, you'll have a good idea of the range of the chemistry.
  8. Discard the water you used for testing and thoroughly rinse the test tube.
  9. Take appropriate actions to correct the chemistry of your tank according to the results.



Tips

  • Paper test strips will give you a general idea of the chemistry, but they are not as accurate as liquid indicators.
  • Try to use natural sunlight when comparing colors, since it is often difficult to tell the difference in colors under incandescent light.
  • Pet stores can often test the water for you, but they may charge for the test.
  • Make sure your hands are clean and any soap you used on them is well rinsed before reaching into your tank.

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