For many days, I have been regularly testing the water in my hobby aquarium to keep the fish healthy. I have gained a lot of experience by testing the water consistently. How to test aquarium water is a critical topic for aquarists. Without proper water testing, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH balance cannot be maintained, which will affect fish health and the environment. Therefore, aquarium water should be tested at the right time and with the correct method
How to test aquarium water with Kit
Equipment Needed for Water Testing
You will need some equipment, which you can buy at pet stores. For example:
• Water testing kit
• Small glass or plastic test tubes (included with test kits)
• Syringe or small dropper to draw water from the tank
• Clean cloth or napkins
What is a Test Kit and Its Different Types
Test Kit: A test kit is a set of tools used to test various chemical parameters of water. This kit is essential for maintaining proper water quality in fish tanks and determining if any toxic elements are present.
Types of Test Kits: In terms of ease of use and quality of results, two types of test kits are commonly used:
- Liquid Test Kits
- Test Strips
Liquid Test Kit
Liquid Test Kit
A liquid test kit consists of typical liquid reagents used to test various chemical components in fish tank water. First, collect tank water in the test tube, then shake a few drops of the reagent prescribed for the specific test into the water for 30-40 seconds, and wait 5-7 minutes. If the color of the water changes, compare it to the color chart provided with the kit to determine the result.
Testing Strip
Testing Strip
A testing strip is a thin strip coated with special chemicals used to quickly test the quality of fish tank water. Remove a strip from the packet and dip it in the fish tank water for a few seconds. Take the strip out of the water, let the excess water drain, and wait 1-2 minutes. If the color of the strip changes, compare it with the color chart included in the packet to determine the result.
How to test aquarium water with Kit
Based on my experience and the opinion of many aquarium fish keepers, liquid test kits are the best for testing water because they are easy to use and provide satisfactory results. Here, I will discuss how to test water using liquid test kits.
Method for Ammonia Test
ammonia scale
Pour 5 ml of tank water into the test tube, cap it, and shake for 5 seconds. Then, add 8 drops of ammonia test reagent, cap the tube, and shake vigorously for 5 seconds.
Add another 8 drops of the specified reagent and shake vigorously for another 5 seconds. Now, wait 5 minutes. If the color of the water changes, compare it with the color chart provided with the kit to determine the result.
The ammonia color scale measures concentrations from 0.0-8.0 ppm. The ideal ammonia level is “0”. If it exceeds this, measures should be taken to lower ammonia levels.
pH Test Method
pH scale
Cap the test tube with 5 ml of aquarium water and shake for 5 seconds. While keeping the tube upright, add 5 drops of pH-specific reagent, cap the tube, shake vigorously for 5 seconds, and wait for 30 seconds. Then, measure the result using the color scale provided with the test kit.
The pH scale ranges from 0-14. If the pH of the water is less than 7.0, it is considered acidic; if it is greater than 7.0, it is considered alkaline. The ideal pH value is between 5.5 and 7.5. If the pH exceeds this range, measures should be taken to lower the pH.
Nitrite Test Method
nitrites scale
Fill the testing tube with 5 ml of aquarium water and shake for 5 seconds. Then, add 5 drops of the nitrite test kit ingredients to the testing tube. Cap the tube and shake vigorously for 5 seconds. Wait for 5 minutes, then measure the color of the water against the color scale.
The nitrite color scale measures nitrite concentration from 0.0-5.0 ppm. The ideal value for nitrite (NO₂⁻) is zero or 0 ppm (parts per million). If the concentration is higher than the ideal value, it becomes harmful to the fish, so measures to lower nitrite (NO₂⁻) should be taken quickly.
Nitrate Test Method
Fill the testing tube with 5 ml of aquarium water and shake for 5 seconds. Then, add 10 drops of the nitrate test kit to the tube. Cap the tube and shake vigorously for 5-10 seconds.
Cap the vial again, add 10 more drops of the test kit, and shake vigorously for 60 seconds. Wait for 5 minutes for the full reaction, and then measure the water against the color scale.
The nitrate color scale measures nitrate concentration from 0.0-160.0 ppm. Ideally, the value should be below 20 ppm. If nitrate levels rise, measures should be taken to prevent harm, similar to how nitrite (NO₂⁻) is handled.
Method of Testing Carbonate Hardness (KH)
Fill the testing tube with 5 ml of aquarium water, shake for 5 seconds, and add 1 drop of the test kit. Invert the tube several times until the water turns blue. Add 1 more drop, cap the tube, and invert several times again. Count the number of drops added from this point forward.
Add another drop of the test kit each time until the liquid changes from blue to yellow, and continue observing. The number of drops required to turn the solution yellow indicates the degree of KH or dKH. Compare your dKH result to the chart provided with the test kit to see the KH concentration in parts per million.
The carbonate hardness scale ranges from 0-300 ppm. The ideal value is between 70 and 140 ppm.
Water (GH) Test Method
The GH test measures the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions in the water.
Fill the testing tube with 5 ml of aquarium water and shake for 5 seconds. While keeping the tube upside down, add 1 drop of the GH test kit to the tube. Cap the tube and invert several times to mix the solution. The solution will turn red. Add 1 more drop, invert again, and count the number of drops added.
Add the test kit one drop at a time until the liquid changes from red to green. The number of drops required to turn the solution green is the degree of GH or dGH. Compare your dGH result to the chart provided with the test kit to determine the GH concentration in parts per million.
Note: Quantities may vary slightly between brands or manufacturers, so be sure to read the product instructions before use.
How to test aquarium water without a Kit
The specific results obtained by testing with a kit cannot be achieved without it. Here, the chemical condition of the water is determined based on the behavior of the fish and the condition of the water, which is largely based on guesswork. For example:
Ammonia determination: One of the main ways to detect ammonia is by its distinct odor, often compared to the smell of cat urine. Moreover, symptoms such as increased breathing rate, pale color, damage to the fins or tail, and reddish spots on the skin or body may indicate ammonia presence.
pH determination: The water may become gray or cloudy due to decreased clarity. Sometimes algae grow rapidly. The fish may start breathing rapidly, and their bodies may become weak.
Nitrite determination: Fish may try to breathe by coming to the top of the water because nitrite affects their blood’s ability to absorb oxygen. As a result, the fish do not get enough oxygen. The gills of the fish may turn red or black. If the fish swims abnormally, such as repeatedly swimming in one place or standing while facing the tank wall, it is generally believed that nitrite levels have increased.
Note: Testing the water without a kit does not provide accurate information, resulting in improper treatment of the water, which can cause significant damage to the tank’s ecosystem.
Why Test?
A water test is essential to know how safe and healthy the water in your tank is for the fish.
Many times, fish become suddenly sick, algae grow excessively, the water becomes cloudy or discolored, or an unpleasant smell develops in the tank. Testing helps identify water quality issues that may be causing these problems.
How Often Should the Water Be Tested?
Testing should be done as often as possible. When cycling a new aquarium, it is important to test the water daily to ensure that ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite levels are not too high. For established aquariums, water should be tested every 2-4 weeks. Additionally, if any abnormal conditions arise in the tank, a water quality test is necessary.
