What is it?
The water quality analyst is responsible for maintaining the quality of the water through scientific analysis. I conduct tests and compare the results.
What do we do?
My job as the water quality analyst is to test the water for pH, High Range pH, Ammonia, Nitrate, and Nitrite. These all play a big part in our tank. Tap water contains elements that are harmful to fish. In order for us to remove the harmful elements you need to cycle your water using a biological filtration system. Cycling your water means your taking it through the process called the "Nitrogen Cycle". The nitrogen cycle brings bacteria to your water and filtration system that are beneficial.
What do the test do?
pH: pH is the measure of acidity of water. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral. A pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline, and a pH lower than 7.0 is acidic. Maintaining the tank at the proper pH ensures optimal water quality. This should be tested weekly.
High Range pH: pH is the measure of acidity of water. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral. A pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline, and a pH lower than 7.0 is acidic. Maintaining the tank at the proper pH ensures optimal water quality. This should be tested weekly.
Ammonia: Fish continually release ammonia directly into the tank through there gills, urine, and solid waste. Uneaten food and other decaying organic matter also add ammonia in the water.
Nitrate: A high nitrate level indicates a build-up of fish waste and organic compounds, resulting in poor water quality and algae growth. Maintaining a low nitrate level improves the health of fish and invertebrates, so aquarium water should be tested for nitrate to make sure it does not reach an undesirable level.
Nitrite: Taking a few minutes each week to maintain and monitor aquarium conditions is the key to a healthy aquarium. Nitrite is produced in the aquarium by fish waste and uneaten fish food. Toxic nitrite is produced by nitrifying bacteria in the biological filter as it breaks down ammonia. Low levels of nitrite inhibit respiration and suppress the immune system; high levels cause suffocation. The NITRITE TEST KIT tests for harmful nitrite levels from 0 to 5 ppm. For use in freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
High Range pH: pH is the measure of acidity of water. A pH reading of 7.0 is neutral. A pH higher than 7.0 is alkaline, and a pH lower than 7.0 is acidic. Maintaining the tank at the proper pH ensures optimal water quality. This should be tested weekly.
Ammonia: Fish continually release ammonia directly into the tank through there gills, urine, and solid waste. Uneaten food and other decaying organic matter also add ammonia in the water.
Nitrate: A high nitrate level indicates a build-up of fish waste and organic compounds, resulting in poor water quality and algae growth. Maintaining a low nitrate level improves the health of fish and invertebrates, so aquarium water should be tested for nitrate to make sure it does not reach an undesirable level.
Nitrite: Taking a few minutes each week to maintain and monitor aquarium conditions is the key to a healthy aquarium. Nitrite is produced in the aquarium by fish waste and uneaten fish food. Toxic nitrite is produced by nitrifying bacteria in the biological filter as it breaks down ammonia. Low levels of nitrite inhibit respiration and suppress the immune system; high levels cause suffocation. The NITRITE TEST KIT tests for harmful nitrite levels from 0 to 5 ppm. For use in freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
The picture located on the left is the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, in this kit is 4 test tube bottles. You fill the test tube to the line provided with water from your tank, after doing so depending on what you are testing for, you follow the directions located in the testing guide. After you've followed the instructions you compare your results to this sheet. This is how you are able to find out your results.
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