When you are setting up an aquarium, don't forget about water testing. In fact, this is one of the most important aspects of maintaining an aquarium. Before you ever place fish in your aquarium, set it up with water for several days, and start the important nitrogen cycle with a product like Ecobio-Block. During this setup period it is crucial to test the water daily to monitor the cycle. As the cycle begins you will first see an ammonia spike, and then a nitrite spike as the ammonia is converted to nitrite by beneficial bacteria. Both steps will show up on water quality tests.
Once you have fish living in your aquarium, test the water daily for the first few weeks as the water adjusts to having fish living in it. After this initial period, test the aquarium water weekly. Although most aquarium supply stores will test it for you, it is much easier to purchase a water test kit and do it yourself at home.
You will be presented at the aquarium supply store with a wide variety of testing kits to choose from. There are basic kits with strips that test important water quality indicators like pH, nitrate, water hardness, ammonia, nitrites and others. The strips change color to indicate the quality of the water.
Although the testing kits appear convenient, they are unfortunately often not reliable. You can however purchase the more conclusive test kits that include a test tube. You will also need to have a thermometer to keep track of the water temperature.
The results of these aquarium water tests actually have a substantial impact on the health of your fish. The only way to ensure that the water stays healthy is to test it regularly and add products to adjust it as needed.
The ideal pH level of your tank is 6 or 7. pH level is not very easily adjusted. In most cases, fish can tolerate a wide level of pH, so it's safer to leave the level as it is. You can, if you wish, add chemicals, but that often causes more problems than it solves. A more natural (but much slower) approach would be to add some lime rock or seashells to increase the alkaline in your water. Or if you want it more acidic, just add some driftwood or peat.
High ammonia levels are toxic to fish. Nitrite levels too, must be kept as close to zero as possible. What will reduce both will be partial changes of water. An easier way is to add beneficial bacteria. Nitrites will be converted to the less harmful nitrates by the beneficial bacteria.
A simpler way will be to let a good bacteria colony be established by EcoBio-Block. This block is infused with beneficial bacteria that can keep your water healthy for long periods of time
With regular aquarium water testing, you can keep your fish's environment clean and healthy and provide them the best quality of life that they deserve.
Once you have fish living in your aquarium, test the water daily for the first few weeks as the water adjusts to having fish living in it. After this initial period, test the aquarium water weekly. Although most aquarium supply stores will test it for you, it is much easier to purchase a water test kit and do it yourself at home.
You will be presented at the aquarium supply store with a wide variety of testing kits to choose from. There are basic kits with strips that test important water quality indicators like pH, nitrate, water hardness, ammonia, nitrites and others. The strips change color to indicate the quality of the water.
Although the testing kits appear convenient, they are unfortunately often not reliable. You can however purchase the more conclusive test kits that include a test tube. You will also need to have a thermometer to keep track of the water temperature.
The results of these aquarium water tests actually have a substantial impact on the health of your fish. The only way to ensure that the water stays healthy is to test it regularly and add products to adjust it as needed.
The ideal pH level of your tank is 6 or 7. pH level is not very easily adjusted. In most cases, fish can tolerate a wide level of pH, so it's safer to leave the level as it is. You can, if you wish, add chemicals, but that often causes more problems than it solves. A more natural (but much slower) approach would be to add some lime rock or seashells to increase the alkaline in your water. Or if you want it more acidic, just add some driftwood or peat.
High ammonia levels are toxic to fish. Nitrite levels too, must be kept as close to zero as possible. What will reduce both will be partial changes of water. An easier way is to add beneficial bacteria. Nitrites will be converted to the less harmful nitrates by the beneficial bacteria.
A simpler way will be to let a good bacteria colony be established by EcoBio-Block. This block is infused with beneficial bacteria that can keep your water healthy for long periods of time
With regular aquarium water testing, you can keep your fish's environment clean and healthy and provide them the best quality of life that they deserve.
About the Author:
Leonard Boyler has been keeping fish for more than two decades. His favorite products can really make aquarium care and maintenance very easy from starting up to clarifying cloudy aquarium water. To find out more about how to keep aquarium water clear and fish healthy. please visit ONEdersave.com.
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