Testing pH in a fish tank can save your fish's life. Why test it? To see if your water is safe. There are chemicals in tap water that are bad for them, like metals and chlorine or fluoride. Read on to see how you can make your fish tank better.
1Go to a store that supplies for fish needs. Petco, Petsmart, or any pet store will do.Ad
2Look for a box that will say something like "pH Test Kit". Just remember that if you have freshwater, look for a freshwater kit, and if you have saltwater, look for a saltwater kit.
- Important! When keeping live bearers, goldfish, African Cichlids, or marine fish and invertebrates you might need a High Range pH test kit!! The cost should be between $5.00 and $10.00. Also get pH up and pH down, for when the level is too high or low.
3Make sure the kit is complete. When you get home and open the box, there should be a color card, little glass test tube marked to 5ml, and a small bottle with pH Test Solution.
4Test weekly, and after water changes.
5When you are ready to test, take out your little glass test tube, color card, and pH test solution.
6Dip the test tube in the tank and fill it up to the 5ml line.
7Grab your pH Test Solution, and carefully squirt 3 drops (or follow your directions) into the test tube with the water in it. Put the little snap tight lid on the tube, and shake it for 3 minutes straight. (some are only 1 minute)
8After shaking the tube, get out your color card and under a bright light, compare the color of your water to the colors on the card.
- On the scale, 6.0-6.8 is acidic. If this is the results, look on the instructions on the pH up bottle to see how much you should squirt in the tank. 7.0 is what you should be aiming for. Anything higher that 7.0 is alkaline, and you should use the pH down liquid, by following the instructions on the bottle.
9Adjust the PH for your fish type. Tropical fish will do fine from 6.5 to 7.5 so shooting for 7.0 is good. However Marine fish do better at 8.0 to 8.3. African Cichlids will thrive at 8.4 which matches lake Malawi and lake Tanganyika, but will be fine in a range from 7.5 to 8.5.
10To dispose of the liquid, pour it straight down a drain. Do not touch it, because it is acidic and can irritate your skin. After pouring the liquid down the drain, rinse out of the test tube and cap.
11Keep testing until you get to 7.0, and repeat the process every time you test.Ad
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- If you touch one of the chemicals, and you get burned, rinse your hand off immediately and do not touch anything until it is rinsed off.
- If you can find them there are also dip stick tests. These you simply dip in your fish tank water and read the color. They are quick, though more expensive per test, however there is very little mess
- Do not do this on wooden surfaces, because the acid will burn through it and damage the surface. It is safest done on a towel.
- If your pH kit is different than these instructions, follow the instructions in the kit.
- Do not touch chemicals, because they are acidic and will burn you.
- Do not test without an adult around to prevent spilling the chemicals and injury
Categories: Aquarium Maintenance and Repair
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