In the care of aquatic animals, water quality management is one of the most important factors. To accurately monitor invisible changes in water quality, the use of water quality testing kits is essential. However, if you don't understand what the numerical values in test results mean or how to respond when values are abnormal, testing is pointless. This article explains the basic usage of water quality testing kits and the meaning of each parameter.
Differences Between Liquid Reagents and Test Strips
Water quality testing kits are broadly divided into two types.
Liquid Reagents (Dropper Method)
- Benefits: High precision, can detect fine changes in values
- Drawbacks: Procedures are somewhat complex, testing takes time (approximately 5–10 minutes)
- Best for: Regular water quality monitoring, precise testing when problems occur
- Popular brands: Major manufacturers sell aquarium-specific test kits
Test Strips (Dip Method)
- Benefits: Easy and quick (results in about 1 minute), some types can measure multiple parameters simultaneously
- Drawbacks: Less accurate than liquid reagents, difficult to discern subtle color differences
- Best for: Daily quick checks, water quality confirmation when away from home
- Note: After opening, store away from moisture and use within the expiration date
Tips for Choosing
- For beginners, it's recommended to first purchase a liquid reagent kit set
- As you gain experience, use test strips for daily checks and liquid reagents when you need detailed analysis
- Digital water quality meters are also available, but they require regular calibration
Measuring pH (Hydrogen Ion Concentration)
pH is the most basic aspect of water quality.
What is pH
- An indicator that shows the acidity or alkalinity of water, expressed as a value from 0 to 14
- pH 7.0 is neutral; lower values indicate acidity, higher values indicate alkalinity
- The appropriate range for most freshwater fish is around pH 6.0–7.5
- Saltwater fish and corals prefer around pH 8.0–8.4
Measurement Method (Liquid Reagent)
1. Pour the specified amount of aquarium water into a test tube for testing
2. Add the reagent in the specified number of drops
3. Cap the test tube and shake it several times to mix
4. Wait approximately 5 minutes, then compare with the included color chart to read the value
Addressing Abnormal pH Levels
- If pH is too low (too acidic): Perform a water change, add coral sand or oyster shells
- If pH is too high (too alkaline): Perform a water change, adjust using driftwood or substrate
- Rapid pH fluctuations cause significant stress to aquatic animals, so adjust gradually
Measuring Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate
Let's understand the three parameters involved in the nitrogen cycle.
Ammonia (NH3/NH4+)
- Produced from animal waste and uneaten food. Highly toxic
- Detected during the initial setup of a tank or when filtration is inadequate
- Target level: 0 ppm (not detected is ideal)
- If detected: Immediately perform a water change, reduce feeding amount, check filtration capacity
Nitrite (NO2-)
- A substance produced when ammonia is broken down by bacteria. Still toxic
- Temporarily rises during initial tank setup (called "nitrite hell")
- Target level: 0 ppm (not detected is ideal)
- If detected: Perform water changes and wait for beneficial bacteria to establish
Nitrate (NO3-)
- A substance produced when nitrite is further broken down. Low toxicity but harmful when accumulated
- Concentration needs to be reduced through regular water changes
- Target level: Below 40 ppm for freshwater tanks, below 10 ppm for saltwater tanks as a guide
- Aquatic plants absorb nitrate as nutrition, so accumulation is less likely in planted tanks
Testing Frequency and Timing
It's important to test water quality at appropriate intervals.
Regular Testing
- Established tanks: Approximately once per week
- Newly established tanks: Daily to once every 2 days
- Before and after water changes: Test before the change and confirm changes afterward
When Emergency Testing is Needed
- When abnormal behavior is observed in animals (gasping at the surface, staying still at the bottom, etc.)
- When water becomes cloudy or has an unusual smell
- Immediately after introducing new animals
- After administering medications
- After cleaning or replacing the filter
Recording Test Results
Keeping records of water quality tests helps with early detection of problems.
Items to Record
- Date and time of measurement
- Values for pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate
- Water temperature
- Whether and how much water was changed
- Special notes (addition of animals, medications administered, etc.)
Benefits of Record-Keeping
- Can identify trends in water quality changes
- Makes it easier to identify the cause when problems occur
- Can provide accurate information when consulting with a veterinarian or breeder
Start Raising Aquatic Animals with Brichoku
With Brichoku, you can purchase directly from breeders with expertise in raising aquatic animals. You can also consult with breeders about water quality management techniques and parameters suitable for specific animals, allowing you to start raising animals with confidence. Maintain a beautiful aquarium environment through proper water quality management.
Record-Keeping and Analysis to Improve Husbandry Quality
By keeping records of daily management, the precision of your husbandry will improve dramatically. The basic items to record are as follows.
- Date and Time: Accurate record of what was done and when
- Environmental Data: Values for temperature, humidity, and water quality (if applicable)
- Feeding Record: Type of food, amount, and how readily the animals ate
- Animal Condition: Activity level, body color, state of feces, presence or absence of abnormalities
- Maintenance Content: Water changes, substrate replacement, cleaning or replacing equipment
Once you accumulate a month or more of these records, patterns in animal behavior and the effects of environmental changes will become visible as numbers. Using smartphone memo apps or spreadsheets allows you to continue record-keeping with minimal effort. Particularly if you can reference past data when problems occur, identifying the cause and implementing solutions become significantly easier.
Husbandry information is abundant on the internet, but not all of it is accurate. Let's review the key points for identifying trustworthy information sources.
Highly Reliable Information Sources
- Information from breeders with years of experience raising and breeding the species
- Articles reviewed by academic papers or veterinarians
- Information verified by communities of enthusiasts with long husbandry experience
- Specialized books (recently published ones)
Information Requiring Caution
- Information from anonymous forums (often unverified)
- Articles with a clear intent to promote specific products
- Extremely outdated information (husbandry techniques improve yearly)
With Brichoku, you have the ability to ask specialist breeders in each category directly. Beyond the information on the listing pages, you can use the messaging function to ask about husbandry methods and management tips, making it a reliable resource for everyone from beginners to advanced enthusiasts.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced breeders made mistakes at the beginning. By knowing common failure patterns, you can avoid making the same mistakes.
Mistake 1: Starting Without Adequate Preparation
Starting without the necessary knowledge and equipment costs extra money and time in corrections later. Take sufficient time for preparation and information gathering beforehand.
Mistake 2: Not Noticing Environmental Changes
When you observe something daily, gradual changes become harder to notice. Develop the habit of checking the environment and animal condition with an objective eye at least once a week. Recording numerical values allows you to spot changes that you might not notice subjectively.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Problems
It's common for conditions to worsen while thinking "let's wait and see." When you notice abnormalities, it's important to address them promptly. If you're unsure what to do, consult with the breeder you purchased from or a specialist. Early detection and prompt response are the most important factors in protecting animal health.
