Mardel Test Strips

Identify water-quality problems in your aquarium with speed and accuracy. Mardel Test Strips employ the same technology used by physicians, clinics and hospitals to streamline aquarium testing. Convenient test strips eliminate time-consuming mixing of chemicals; you simply dip the strip in the aquarium water and within 60 seconds check your results against a color coded chart. It's that easy. The strips contain absorbent pads saturated with specially-blended, nontoxic chemicals that turn different colors when exposed to certain substances in water.

5-in-1 Test Strips (25 count) measure pH, hardness, alkalinity (buffering capacity), nitrite and nitrate in freshwater/saltwater.

Please click on "More Information" for directions.

Using the Ammonia Strips

1. Fill the included test tube above the top line with aquarium water. Dip one test strip in water sample for 30 seconds with a gentle, steady up and down motion. Remove and discard the strip.
2. After 60 seconds, match vial to closest color on enclosed color chart.
3. Avoid contact with test pad. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly.
4. Rinse test vial with clean water after testing.

5-in-1 Test Strips
pH indicates if your water is acidic or basic. A stable pH is critical to a healthy aquarium. Alkalinity is a measure of the compounds that stabilize pH. Hardness is principally a measure of the calcium and magnesium in your water. If water conditions are not within the desired range, your fish may become stressed and susceptible to disease. Nitrite and nitrate are byproducts of the nitrogen cycle, a natural process that breaks down waste in the aquarium. Nitrite is more toxic than nitrate, and should be held below 1 ppm.

Using the 5-in-1 Test Strips

1. Remove one strip from the packaging and hold it at the end with no pads. Dip the strip into the aquarium water for 2 seconds and remove. Be sure to dip all five pads into the water. Shake once to remove excess water from the strip.
2. Hold the strip level and allow colors to develop. At 25 seconds, compare pH, hardness, and alkalinity pads to the color chart and record the results to your best estimated value. At 60 seconds, compare nitrate and nitrite pads to color chart. Record results and dispose of the test strip. Refer to insert card for water quality adjustments.