Testing the pH in an aquarium can save fish lives. Why take the test? To see if the water is safe for its occupants. Tap water contains chemicals that are harmful to them, such as metals, chlorine and fluoride. Read on to see how you can improve the quality of your aquarium.
Steps
Step 1. Go to an aquarium accessories store
Any specialty store will do.
Step 2. Look for a package that says "pH Test Kit"
Remember that if you have a freshwater aquarium you must look for a freshwater kit, while if you have a saltwater aquarium you must look for a special kit.
Important! If you have viviparous fish, goldfish, African cichlids or saltwater fish and invertebrates, you will need a High Range pH test kit !! It should cost around ten euros. Also get solutions to lower or raise the pH of the aquarium, in case the detected level is too high or too low
Step 3. Make sure the kit is complete
The kit should contain a colored paper, a small glass tube marked up to 5 ml and a bottle with the solution to carry out the pH test.
Step 4. Test once a week after changing the water
Step 5. When you are ready to test, take the tube, paper and solution
Step 6. Immerse the tube in the aquarium and fill it to the 5 mL line
Step 7. Take the bottle with the solution and put 3 drops (or as indicated in the package insert) in the tube containing the water
Close the tube with its lid and shake it for 3 minutes (but in some cases 1 minute is enough).
Step 8. When you are done, take the paper and, standing in a well-lit place, compare the color of the water in the test tube with the colors illustrated on the map
On the scale, you will see that 6-6.8 is acidic. If this is the result, read the instructions for the pH raising solution to see how much you need to put in the aquarium. The optimal value is 7.0; anything greater than this is alkaline and you will need to use the solution to lower the pH, following the instructions on the package
Step 9. Adjust the pH according to the fish you own
Tropical fish do well with a pH that varies between 6.5 and 7.5 so aiming for 7.0 is fine. However, saltwater fish do best with a pH of 8.0-8.3. African cichlids thrive with a pH of 8.4 which matches that of Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika, but a varying pH will do. between 7, 5 and 8, 5.
Step 10. When it's time to discard the liquid, pour it directly down the drain
Do not touch it, as it is acidic and can irritate your skin. After you have spilled the liquid down the drain, rinse the tube and its lid.
Step 11. Continue testing the water until you get a pH of 7.0 and repeat the process for each test you perform
Advice
- If you touch any of the chemicals and get burned, rinse your hand immediately and don't touch anything else until it is thoroughly rinsed.
- If you can find them, there are also stick tests to dip into. You simply dip them into the aquarium and observe the color. They are more expensive, but they are very comfortable and fast.
- Do not use a wooden surface for testing, as the acid will puncture and damage it. The best idea is to use a towel.
- If your pH test kit works differently than these instructions, please follow the instructions in the kit.
Warnings
- Do not touch chemical reagents - they are acidic and could burn you.
- Do not perform the test without adult supervision to prevent possible damage or injury.
