Retrouvez ici les indispensables et meilleures ventes pour nos propriétaires de bassin.
Retrouvez ici les indispensables et meilleures ventes pour nos propriétaires de bassin.
Which test case to choose for your aquarium? Which tester to choose for your aquarium? We'll explaine everything here!
Choosing a test case for aquariums may seem trivial. However, with all the models available and the parameters to consider for maintenance, the choice becomes a little more difficult. Indeed, the quality as the composition of the water will play a big role in the well being of the fish. Before seeing the different test cases that are available, it is good to see what these tests consist of, and why they are important.
You may remember your old science lessons with the "sunflower" paper that changes color depending on a basic or acidic solution. This is the principle of the aquarium test strip or drop test.
Maintaining an aquarium is not just about changing the water in it. This includes maintaining a sufficiently stable and balanced environment for the fish to grow healthily.
And for good reason, a disruption of this ecosystem can have unpleasant consequences for aquatic residents. To avoid stress and the various diseases likely to affect them, appropriate maintenance helps maintain a healthy and regulated environment. In the same way, you can also carry out an analysis of the water in your pond in order to maintain it properly.
Organic waste from urine, excrement or food residues is the source of the production of ammonia, a gas toxic to fish. The nitrogen cycle consists of a series of constant biological transformations, and one of the most important to consider in an aquarium.
We can note three major steps in this process: the transformation of ammonia into nitrites, then the transformation of nitrites into nitrates (the least toxic at low concentration).
The tests therefore intervene to determine the level of acidity, the hardness of the water as well as the concentration of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates in the aquarium. Various tests can be carried out to obtain this information, and to determine the measures adapted to the maintenance of the aquarium.
Among other parameters, these are generally considered: the hydrogen potential (pH), the hydrotymetric title of the water (GH or TH), the carbonate hardness of the water (KH) and the iron content.
The pH or hydrogen potential is an indicator used to measure the quantity of hydroxide ions (H-) and that of hydrogen ions (H+) which are present in the water (H20). In simpler terms, this potential makes it possible to determine whether the latter is rather acidic or alkaline.
A low pH thus corresponds to acidic water , and a high quantity of hydroxide ions . Conversely, when the hydroxide ions are greater in quantity (high pH) , we have alkaline or basic water .
pH is measured on a scale from 0 to 14, where a pH of 7 indicates neutral water . Following the same logic, pH values below 7 are called low , while pH values above 7 are said to be high . In the context of aquariums and ponds, the hydrogen potential is a very important parameter because it directly influences the life of the fish.
The different species generally prefer a neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline pH. Nevertheless, some particular types of fish clearly prefer more acidic or more basic, depending on their origin.
The TH (or GH) indicates the hydrotimetric title of the water, ie the rate of concentration of mineral salts dissolved in it. Depending on the region, there will therefore be a more or less significant mineralization rate, particularly in calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (MG2+) and potassium. According to the available tests, this parameter can be expressed in degrees GH (German unit) or in degrees TH, the French unit.
In detail, the hydrotimetric title is used to determine the level of limestone in the water. We also often talk about its hardness, which has a considerable impact on the metabolism of living organisms following the principle of osmoregulation. The hydrotimetric title mainly concerns fresh water.
The carbonate hardness of water is expressed in degrees KH (sometimes TAC). This is the concentration rate of the bicabonate and carbonate ions present in the water. These elements are particularly important in the case of aquariums, especially for the stability and balance of the water.
The carbonates and the bicarbonates are therefore salts acting as buffer substances, and which intervene to oppose the sudden changes in the hydrodene potential.
As we have seen above, nitrites (NO2) come from the transformation of ammonia (NH3) during the second phase of the nitrogen cycle. This is a compound to be taken into consideration in the maintenance of an aquarium: indeed, it can harm both fish and plants. More specifically, it is very important to monitor the nitrite level in order to determine any biological imbalance in the water.
The nitrite level is assessed by a simple colorimetric test, which you can perform yourself. For reference, the toxicity threshold is already alerting from 0.15 mg/l, and lethal from 3 mg/l. In general, this rate should not exceed the value of 0.25 mg/l.
The ammonia concentration, as well as the hydrogen potential, of the water make it possible to determine the correct engagement of the nitrogen cycle. This is one of the most important parameters to consider when setting up an aquarium. This toxic gas is formed in particular after the degradation of organic matter present in the aquarium.
Water with a high pH contains a significant amount of ammonia, which is particularly dangerous for aquarium inhabitants. When the hydrogen potential is acidic or neutral, we have ammonium instead: a compound resulting from the transformation of ammonia.
Of course, there are several test kits for aquariums. The difference will mainly lie in the variety and number of tests that can be performed, as well as in the different materials offered in the case.
In general and depending on the model, said test cases contain:
Here are some references of test cases for aquariums, which can be chosen according to needs and budget.
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