Water Testing

There is a wide range of water tests available, and while some are essential, others may not be as critical. The most important tests to have on hand are for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, along with a thermometer to monitor water temperature. While test strips are cheaper, they tend to be less accurate than liquid test kits, but they can serve as a quick tool for diagnosing potential problems and getting a general sense of your tank's parameters.

Other tests worth considering include pH, phosphates, GH (General Hardness), and KH (Carbonate Hardness). If you keep a saltwater tank, it’s crucial to measure salinity to ensure the water conditions are ideal for marine life.

Routine Testing and When to Test

When issues arise, the first step is always to test for ammonia and nitrite. Even small amounts of these substances can point to significant problems. Once your aquarium is well-established, you may find that water testing becomes less frequent. A mature, stable tank will typically show undetectable or trace amounts of ammonia and nitrite, so regular testing for these is often unnecessary unless something drastic is done to the tank.

For nitrate, testing should be done weekly to monthly, though in well-maintained tanks, it may stabilize at a level too low for most home tests to detect.

After a few years, testing for pH, alkalinity (KH), calcium, and magnesium becomes more important, especially in saltwater tanks with stony corals. As the nitrogen cycle continues and the ecosystem matures, important micronutrients like calcium and carbonate can be depleted. This can be detrimental to coral health, as they rely on these elements to grow.

Regular water changes and dosing with additives like baking soda can help maintain KH, alkalinity, and pH, ensuring your tank remains stable and healthy.