1. Keeping your water safe

2. Testing – Salinity
Salinity is the amount of dissolved solids (mostly salts) in solution.
Some fish are very sensitive to water salinity
Measured using a hydrometer
Measured in parts per thousand (ppt)
Hydrometers actually measure density of the water and this corresponds to a known salinity.

3. Testing – Temperature Higher temperature means lower oxygen
Lower temperature can lower animals activity levels
Measure using a floating or stick-on thermometer
Some aquariums require heaters to maintain high temps for fish

4. Testing – Ammonia
Fish excrete ammonia in their waste. If not monitored, high ammonia levels can kill fish in your aquariums.
Toxic above 4 ppm (parts per million)
Bacteria are needed to convert to less toxic forms. (nitrogen cycle)
Measured using a dropper test kit (2 bottles)
Can use chemical such as Ammo Lock if levels are too high

5. Testing – pH pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of water
Fish require a specific PH in their aquariums
Sudden or drastic changes can result in fish death
Low range pH (most freshwater tanks) 6.8 and 7.2
Measured using dropper test kit (1 bottle)

6. If the pH level is not staying within the acceptable range, it could indicate the following:
1. Lack of bacteria in gravel
2. Excessive organisms in tank
3. Overfeeding (10 min. rule)
4. Not removing dead organisms