1-800-381-7179  
FREE SHIPPING and LOW PRICES
Email Email Signup
0
items
Cart Go to Shopping Cart
SHOP NOW
Pet Meds & Vaccines »
Flea & Tick »
Heartworm & Wormers »
Supplements »
Healthcare »
OUR BRAND »
SALE »
Clearance »
Navigate to:   HomeArticlesFishAquarium TestingDefining Important Aquarium Water Parameters

Free Shipping on orders over $49

Customer Service
HELP DESK
1-800-381-7179


Defining Important Aquarium Water Parameters


Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
Defining Important Aquarium Water Parameters Defining Important Aquarium Water Parameters
The health of your aquarium inhabitants depends on maintaining proper water parameters. And regular routine testing is the only accurate way to be certain water parameters are within an acceptable range.

SOME IMPORTANT PARAMETERS TO BE AWARE OF INCLUDE:

TESTING
Through regular testing, you gain deep insight into your aquarium, allowing you to recognize trends and diagnose problems for timely adjustments and maintenance. Test these parameters with monitors and testers.
pH A measurement of acidity or alkalinity in your water. Maintaining appropriate pH level for your specific aquarium inhabitants is vital for their health.

Alkalinity Also called carbonate hardness, is the measurement of dissolved carbonate and bicarbonate concentration in water. Carbonate hardness plays a vital role in stabilizing pH in the aquarium and should be monitored, especially in marine aquariums.

ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) Also called REDOX, measures your aquarium water’s ability to oxidize or reduce contaminants.

CALCIUM Proper calcium levels are essential for successful reef aquariums. Corals require calcium for growth, and regular testing alerts you when calcium supplementation is required.

OXYGEN (O2) Proper oxygen level is essential for healthy fish and efficient biological filtration. Chronic low oxygen levels can increase fish susceptibility to disease.

RELATED INFORMATION
Maintaining Proper Water Quality in the Home Aquarium
How to Maintain Proper Specific Gravity
How to Calibrate Electronic Testers
CONDUCTIVITY Measurement of how well water conducts electricity. The higher the conductivity, the more minerals and impurities (inorganic salts) present in the water. Pure water has low conductivity.

SALINITY The amount of dissolved salts in water. Essential parameter for saltwater aquariums and freshwater aquariums conditioned with aquarium salt.

AMMONIA, NITRITE & NITRATE The presence of these nitrogen compounds indicate how well your biological filter is breaking down wastes in your aquarium.

TOP VIEWED ARTICLES
How to Maintain Proper Specific Gravity 
pH in Marine Aquariums 
Aquarium Water Testing Methods, Results and Interpretation 
PRODUCTS RELATED TO:
Aquarium Testing
Tetra EasyStrips™ Aquarium Test Strips
Tetra EasyStrips™ Aquarium Test Strips
As low as $9.99
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
As low as $23.99
API Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate Test Kits
API Ammonia, Nitrite & Nitrate Test Kits
As low as $5.79
Click here for a more printer-friendly version of this article.  
Click here for a pdf version of this article.  

 

 
 
SHOP NOW
Need Help? Click here »
Call Us: 800-381-7179 »
Email Us »
Live Help »
Shipping »
Catalog Quick Order »
DOG
CAT
PET PHARMACY
FISH
Pond
Bird
Wild Bird
Small Pet
Ferret
Reptile
Horse
ORDERING INFO
Shipping Rates & Info
Track Your Order
Auto Delivery Service
Gift Certificates
Easy Buy Bundles

FEATURES
Article Library | Video Library
Puppy Center | Kitten Center
Kid's Learning Center
Business Partner Program
Paws for a Cause Program

EMAIL
New Puppy Email Series
Email Reminder Service
Sale Email Alerts
Manage Email Subscriptions
Wish List

SEARCH for Products or Articles:      POPULAR SEARCHES »
Free Catalog FREE CATALOGS
Request one of our eight pet supply catalogs here
FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
Sign up for pet care tips & secret sale alerts!
ABOUT US
Our History
Who We Are
Get to Know Us
Our Name Brand
Awards & Honors
MORE INFO
Visit Our Retail Store
Tell a Friend About Us
Employment
Link to Us
Site Map
BillMeLater PayPal Ways to pay

LiveAquaria.com PetEducation.com Other Sites
Drs. Foster & Smith BBB Business Review VETERINARY-VERIFIED INTERNET PHARMACY PRACTICE SITES(CM) Online Veterinary Pharmacy Services Drs. Foster and Smith has earned Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites(CM) (Vet-VIPPS(CM)) accreditation through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®). bizrate Customer Certified Site - DrsFosterSmith.com Reviews at Bizrate BizRate Circle of Excellence Award McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams

Copyright © 1997-2013, Foster and Smith, Inc. - 2253 Air Park Road, P.O. Box 100 Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501 - All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy