Knowledge of your water parameters is an essential part of successful
fish keeping. Poor water quality is the single largest cause of fish
death. Even water which is only slightly degraded will have an
effect on your fish's health, it may not kill them directly, but it will
stunt their growth and make them more vulnerable to disease.
Frequent testing should be part of every fish keepers routine.
Brand
|
Type
|
Size
|
Price
|
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pH... A measure of acidity ranging from 0 (Acid) - 14
(Alkaline), with 7 being neutral. Values found in our fish tanks
are typically 5.5 - 8.5 for freshwater with 7 being ideal for
most species, and 7.8 - 9.0 for marine tanks with 8.2 - 8.4
being the norm. Most fish tolerate small slow changes but
a rapid change can cause shock and sudden death
|
API
API
Tetra
Tetra
Nutrafin
|
pH 6.0 - 7.6 Freshwater
pH Deluxe (includes Buffer)
pH 5.0 - 10 Freshwater
pH 7.0 - 9.0 Saltwater
pH 4.5 - 9.0 Fresh & Saltwater
|
250 Tests
250 Tests
59 Tests
50 Tests
100 Tests
|
£ 4.80
£ 7.50
£ 6.00
£ 6.95
£ 5.95
|
|
Ammonia NH3/NH4... As the first
stage in the Nitrogen Cycle Ammonia is excreted by fish in urine
and faeces and directly through their gills as part of their
respiration process. Even small levels can irritate the fish and
suppress their development while higher levels stress the fish
and can lead to the outbreak of disease and even death. With a
fully functional filter system levels should normally be zero
and never rise above 0.25 mg/litre even after a heavy feed.
|
API
Nutrafin
|
Freshwater & Saltwater
Freshwater only
|
130 Tests
70 Tests
|
£ 7.95
£ 6.95
|
|
Nitrite NO2... The second stage of the
Nitrogen Cycle and possibly the most harmful. Even trace
amounts as low as 1.6 mg/litre can irritate the fish's gills and
skin causing the characteristic 'Flicking'. Higher levels or
sudden spikes can leave the fish lethargic and gasping at the
surface, even resulting in death
|
API
Tetra
Nutrfin
Salifert
|
Freshwater & Saltwater
Frestwater & Saltwater
Freshwater
Saltwater
|
180 Tests
45 Tests
70 Tests
60 Tests
|
£ 6.95
£ 7.25
£ 6.95
£ 7.75
|
|
Nitrate NO3... Final stage in the Nitrogen Cycle.
Nitrate is absorbed by plants as nutrient and diluted by routine
water changes. It is relatively harmless to fish although
it is probable that it inhibits growth. Higher levels can
cause nuisance algae, particularly in Marine systems where it
also has an adverse affect on Coral Growth. Levels should be as
low as possible, typically < 50 mg/litre for freshwater aquaria
and < 12.5 mg/litre for marine systems.
|
Tetra
API
|
Freshwater & Saltwater
Freshwater & Saltwater
|
45 Tests
80 Tests
|
£ 7.25
£ 8.50
|
|
|
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|
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