9.10.08

Aquarium Equipment Explained - Water Test Kits


Although tap water is generally a substitute for a natural fish needs water, it requires some steps to take before it can be used in the aquarium. The water supply network have been treated so that makes it safe for humans to drink.

Chlorine is used in our water supply systems, which kills bacteria and disinfects the water. There may also be metal contamination in tap water because of this transport to homes through Pipeline, copper for example.

Chemicals added to our water supplies are potentially deadly to fish. These chemicals can attack the gills and mucus membrane that covers and protects the body of the fish, making them vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections. Heavy metals can also be found in our tap water, such as copper, lead, zinc, which are toxic to all tropical fish.

It is necessary to treat tap water before it goes into the aquarium. There are a number of manufacturers that make dechlorinate tap water, they generally contain other additives provided that the water and fish with a protective barrier Aloe Vera.

Regular monitoring of your aquarium water is essential. It is possible to harmful pollutants that can not be seen, to enter the water in your aquarium without your knowledge. These pollutants can pose a great danger to fish, so the only way to be sure of its condition is to regularly test the water.

There are many tests that indicate your state of water and its properties here are the most important.

Ammonia / ammonium Test:

Ammonia is highly soluble in water, it is eliminated by all fish, and is extremely toxic to them. A by-product of ammonia is ammonium, less toxic, it is formed by the acceptance of a proton from a molecule of ammonia, and is present at low pH.

Ammonia will increasingly be toxic at levels higher pH, and to a lesser degree of temperature. This test gives an early warning of a failing filtration system, probably because of surplus stocks of fish, food or more. Ammonia tests measure the total ammonia, which is a mixture of ammonia and ammonium.

To determine the quantity of toxic ammonia that May be present in your water, you'll need to know its pH, temperature and test. You can then compare the results of your test against the map provided with the test kit to determine if ammonia is present, and to what extent the ideal result should be zero.

Nitrite test:

Ammonia is down and converted to nitrite by bacteria nitrifying (Nitrosomonas bacteria), although less toxic than ammonia, nitrite is still very dangerous to fish. A presence of nitrites usually, a bacterially immature or inefficient filtration system, can be excessive and / or food. This test indicates the level of nitrite, if any is present. Levels above 1.0 mg / L (ppm) for freshwater aquariums are considered dangerous, ideally, as with ammonia, readings should be zero.

Nitrate Test:

Nitrite is down and converted to nitrate, this is the end product of the nitrogen cycle and is used as a food source by plants and algae. Nitrate is relatively non-toxic, but so high is observed from your test result, it is indicative of a partial change of water is necessary.

pH test:

As different species of fish from different waters of the world, so that the pH of the water different, it is necessary to simulate the conditions of our best. A test your water pH indicate acidity or alkalinity.

Sudden changes in pH should be avoided, causing stress to fish, reducing their resistance to disease, for this reason it is very important that all adjustments pH is gradually over a period of time.

Hardness testing of water:

Most species of fish do not like hard alkaline water, some species live, however, in difficult conditions and need alkaline water to survive. Under conditions of poor fish of any type will not be able to race, color be wrong, and have a low resistance to disease. It is therefore necessary to determine what type of water you have in your aquarium for the sake of your survival.

There are two types of test hardness, one would confirm its GH (general hardness), and is a measure of all salts dissolved in water, these salts are mainly composed of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) . RI may also be called total hardness.

The other test is carbonate hardness (KH) or temporary hardness, and is commonly known as alkalinity. It is a measure of the ability of water to neutralize acid, and is known as buffering capacity. Therefore, the hardness of water is closely linked to pH.

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