How to Test a Saltwater Aquarium After Installation

Owning a saltwater aquarium is a rewarding experience, but it requires patience to properly care for it up after installation. Maintaining healthy water conditions is crucial for the survival of your saltwater fish, and it is important to test the water regularly to ensure correct chemistry. At-home test kits are available at pet stores to test and monitor the levels of some potentially harmful properties. The kits are easy to use and include multiple rounds of tests for pH, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels in your aquarium water. Continue to perform the tests at regular intervals to maintain the health of your aquarium and fish.

Things You'll Need

Saltwater liquid test kit
Cup

Instructions

- 1
  Scoop out enough water from the aquarium with the cup to cover a test tube from the saltwater test kit. Submerge the test tube and cap in this water, then dispose of the water.
  
  Scoop and pour aquarium water up to the 5 milliliter line of the test tube, using the cup. Designate the test tube solely for this test.
- 2
  Squeeze eight drops from the first ammonia test-solution bottle into the test tube, followed by eight drops from the second ammonia test-solution bottle. Hold the bottle upside down and completely vertical to dispense the droplets fully.
- 3
  Wait 5 minutes, then place the test tube on the white area of the ammonia test color chart and comparing the resulting color of the water to the colors on the chart. Record the closest color match in a log.
  
  Rinse the test tube and cap thoroughly, and return them to the test-kit box.
- 4
  Repeat the test tube cleaning process in Step 1.
  
  Squeeze 10 drops from the first nitrate test-solution bottle into the test tube and mix the solution by inverting the tube several times. Hold the bottle upside down and completely vertical to dispense the droplets fully.
  
  Shake the second nitrate solution bottle vigorously for at least 30 seconds.
- 5
  Squeeze 10 drops from the second nitrate test-solution bottle into the test tube and mix the solution by inverting the tube several times. Hold the bottle upside down and completely vertical to dispense the droplets fully.
  
  Shake the second nitrate solution bottle vigorously for at least 1 minute.
- 6
  Wait 5 minutes, then place the test tube on the white area of the nitrate test color chart while comparing the color of the water to the colors on the chart. Record the closest color match in a log.
  
  Rinse the test tube and cap thoroughly, and return them to the test-kit box.
- 7
  Repeat the process in Step 1.
  
  Squeeze five drops from the pH test solution bottle into the test tube, and mix the solution by inverting the tube several times. Hold the bottle upside down and completely vertical to dispense the droplets fully.
- 8
  Place the test tube on the white area of the pH test color chart while comparing the color of the water to the colors on the chart. Record the closest color match in a log.
  
  Rinse the test tube and cap thoroughly, and return them to the test-kit box.
- 9
  Repeat the process in Step 1.
  
  Squeeze five drops from the nitrite test solution bottle into the test tube, and shake it for 5 seconds to mix the solution. Hold the bottle upside down and completely vertical to dispense the droplets fully.
- 10
  Wait 5 minutes, then place the test tube on the white area of the nitrite test color chart while comparing the resulting color of the water to the colors on the chart. Record the closest color match in a log.
  
  Rinse the test tube and cap thoroughly, and return them to the test-kit box.
- 11
  Conduct these tests every two weeks or more often as needed, especially if you add new fish, to determine whether the levels of these chemicals fall within a healthy range for your aquarium water and if it is necessary to take corrective measures.
  
  Follow the instructions accompanying the test kit on how to correct these levels to improve the chemistry of your aquarium water and protect your fish.