Tetra Test Strips will help you understand the importance of water quality. By having the correct parameters and good water quality, it will help your fish and plants live longer and healthier lives.

• Contains 25 strips (x6 tests).

How to use:

• Read enclosed instructions for use.
• Move test strip 2-3 times in the water.
• Shake the strip to remove the excess water.
• Immediately compare chlorine test field with scale.
• Wait approx. 60 seconds.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not touch the test fields or hold them under running water.
• Place the test strip in the correct position against the colour chart on the side of the container. Take the reading by comparing the colours obtained with the colour chart.
• Check the meaning of the readings in the table included and read the advice on corrective actions to take.

It is recommended to test every 2-3 days in new aquariums and once a week in established aquariums.

Permanent Hardness (pH):

• The pH describes one of the most important chemical properties of your water, the balance between acids and bases.
• All fish, plants, and micro-organisms react very sensitively to drastic and rapid changes to the pH value.
• A pH value of between 6.5 and 8.5 is ideal for nearly all freshwater fish.

Carbonate Hardness (kH):

• Important in the stabilisation of the pH value. Ideally, your aquarium should be between 3-10 °dKH.
• kH represents the hydrogen carbonate concentration, which acts as a pH-buffer.
• A stable buffer capacity will be achieved by kH values higher than 6 °dH.
• If the kH level in your aquarium is too low, add Tetra pH/kH Plus. This increases the hydrogen carbonate concentration and buffers the pH value in the long term.
• If the kH level in your pond is too low, add Tetra Pond WaterStabiliser. This allows you to achieve sufficient buffer capacity in your pond water. This is also an optimal condition for effective and safe algae control.

General Hardness (gH):

• The general hardness (gH) is determined by the concentration of various ions in the water, such as calcium and magnesium.
• It has a direct influence on the vital functions of fish, plants, and micro-organisms.
• The general hardness value for most ornamental fish is between 6 and 16°dH

Nitrite (NO₂):

• The nitrite level should be as low as possible, less than 0.3mg/l is ok, higher than 0.3mg/l is harmful.
• If the nitrite level is too high, carry out partial water changes (30% each) until the nitrite content is no more than 0.3mg/l. To help this, remove any debris such as fish food or plant remains, and add some Tetra Filter Active.

Nitrate (NO₃):

• As part of the nitrogen cycle in your aquarium or garden pond, organic material that contains nitrogen such as fish excrements and uneaten food degrades and causes nitrite (NO₂) and finally nitrate (NO₃) to accumulate in the water.
• Nitrate in concentrations greater than 50 mg/l in aquaria and greater than 10 mg/l in garden ponds promote strong algae growth.
• If the nitrate concentration is too high, a partial water exchange should be carried out. In addition, good plant growth helps to reduce excess nitrate.
• Additional nitrate reduction in the aquarium can be achieved with Tetra Nitrate Minus (RC071 or 072), and in ponds by using either Coral Reef NO₂ & NO₃ Remover Media (MF603) or NT Barley Straw (YR018 or YR019).
• Always prepare the water with Tetra AquaSafe before or after you add new water to the aquarium or pond.

Chlorine (Cl₂):

• Chlorine is harmful to fish and plants. Just like the nitrite, chlorine should therefore not be detectable in the aquarium water.
• Always prepare the water with Tetra AquaSafe before or after you add new water to the aquarium or pond.

Suitable for use in:

• Tropical aquariums.
• Cold water aquariums.
• Ponds.

Not suitable for use in marine aquariums.

Useful tip:

• With the Tetra Aquatics App you can determine water values very quickly, safely, and easily using your smartphone.