{"id":37,"date":"2021-11-05T03:22:43","date_gmt":"2021-11-05T03:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rootedtank.com\/?p=37"},"modified":"2023-07-04T03:21:07","modified_gmt":"2023-07-04T03:21:07","slug":"aquarium-water-parameter-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rootedtank.com\/aquarium-water-parameter-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Test Aquarium Water Parameters: Step-by-Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This step-by-step guide will show you how to test the quality of your aquarium water. It is important to know this information because it can help determine what fish and plants you should keep in the tank, as well as other aspects of maintaining a healthy environment and reducing fish stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most consistent way to test aquarium water is by using a liquid test kit. These tests provide accurate results, measured in either degrees of hardness or parts-per-million. You can also use test strips or bring a water sample to your local fish store.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After reading this guide, you will be able to confidently take an accurate measurement of your water’s pH level, hardness, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate with just a few simple tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What types of aquarium water testing kits are available for home use?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Liquid test kits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most recommended brand is the API Master Test Kit, which can be purchased on Amazon or from your local fish store for around $25 USD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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API freshwater master test kit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This test kit comes in freshwater, saltwater and reef versions, depending on your tank setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It contains 7 total testing bottles that test for pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Some of the water parameters require two test bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

API claims that the test kit provides you with more than 800 total tests, which I believe is accurate if you include each water parameter test separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I conducted approximately 90 tests on each of my ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH before my nitrate bottles ran out. The two nitrate bottles are used up more quickly because they require 10 drops each per test, while the other tests require fewer drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of buying an entirely new test kit, you can buy separately sold nitrate test bottles as replacements when they run out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tested my water much more frequently when I was first setting my tank up to see how it was progressing through the nitrogen cycle. Once the cycle was completed and my fish were added, my testing frequency was reduced to once or twice per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the liquid test kit is the most economical method for testing your aquarium water parameters<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing strips<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Testing strips are pieces of narrow paper, about 3 inches in length, that usually have multiple water parameter testing pads attached to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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API testing strips<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

To conduct the test you simply swirl the testing paper in your tank a few times and let them dry with the pads facing up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

API sells a 5-in-1 testing strip product that tests for nitrite, nitrate, pH, carbonate hardness (KH), and general hardness (GH). These are sold for approximately $10 USD and contain 25 test strips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separate strips are sold for testing ammonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other brands, such as Aqua Care Pro, sell 6-in-1 test strips for around $15 USD that test for HK, GH, pH, nitrite, nitrate and chlorine. This product contains 116 total test strips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local fish store tests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your local fish specialty store, and most franchise pet stores, will test your aquarium water parameters for you if you bring in a water sample from your fish tank. Sometimes they will even run the tests for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing meters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can purchase digital pH testing meters for around $15 USD. This is the most precise and economical way to test for pH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pH
pH testing meter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The other water parameters are not able to be tested using this method though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which water parameters are usually tested?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can buy liquid test kits that can measure many water parameters. However, 6 primary tests are most important for the fishkeeping hobby:<\/p>\n\n\n\n