| Its very important to learn to test the water in | | | | the ammonia levels are greater than .2ppm, you'll |
| fish tanks especially if you're having a problem. | | | | need to change the water in the tank. |
| Fish can get diseases from water conditions that | | | | Continue to monitor ammonia levels, and change |
| aren't healthy. Testing equipment can measure | | | | the water as often as necessary. To reduce |
| and sustain aquarium water parameters. | | | | levels of harmful ammonia, feed your fish less to |
| One fairly common problem is too much ammonia. | | | | eliminate excess decomposing food, and ensure |
| Ammonia is a byproduct of fish waste and food | | | | that the filter is kept clean. For new tanks, it's |
| decomposition. Over time, ammonia converts to | | | | important to test nitrite levels daily to make sure |
| nitrites. Both of these chemicals have detrimental | | | | it is safe to add more fish to the tank. |
| effects on the environment in the fish tank. If | | | | Certain chemicals, like chlorine and chloramines, are |
| testing indicates that levels of these two | | | | lethal to fish. There are a number of different |
| chemicals are abnormally high in your aquarium, it's | | | | water conditions that you can use to remove |
| important to take immediate corrective measures. | | | | chlorine. Make sure to buy a product that can also |
| Ammonia is more dangerous than nitrites, but | | | | eliminate chloramines, as well as one that changes |
| these can also reduce the levels of oxygen in the | | | | ammonia into a neutral form. |
| tank causing the fish to become physically | | | | You'll also need to know the pH level of your tap |
| stressed. Another effect of high nitrites is that | | | | water to ensure that the fish you choose can live |
| they can cause algae overgrowth. New aquariums | | | | in these water conditions. pH is a measure of how |
| should be tested frequently during the initial four | | | | acid or alkaline the water is, and it can change due |
| weeks, and old aquariums should be tested if a | | | | to a variety of factors, including decorations and |
| problem, like a clogged filter, should arise. | | | | chemical you place in the tank. This is why it's |
| There are a number of different test kits for | | | | important to check pH levels often. |
| both salt and fresh water aquariums, including Red | | | | Hard water, as indicated by white, crusty deposits |
| Sea Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite test kits. You | | | | on the tank, can make it tough to adjust pH |
| can use Ammonia Test Lab to measure the total | | | | levels correctly. A water softener can combat the |
| ammonia level in the tank. Nitrite Test Lab and | | | | dissolved minerals in the tank that lead to hard |
| Nitrate Test Lab test kits will measure the overall | | | | water. |
| concentration of nitrites and nitrates in the tank. If | | | | |