Ciano Water 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.

How to use:

• Dip a strip into the water for 5 seconds,
• Shake the strip to remove the excess water,
• Wait 30 seconds,
• 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.
• For more detailed information, see the “CIANO CARE” guide.

It is recommended that you test your water every 2 weeks.

Nitrate (NO₃) - if this is high, expect to get high levels of algae growth. It is always worth comparing to tap water levels of NO₃ (which sometimes can be naturally high) to get a feel for how much your aquarium is producing.

Nitrite (NO₂) – this is poisonous to fish and needs to be zero. This be removed by adding live filter bacteria, using a Nitrite remover or by carrying out regular partial water changes.

General Hardness (gH): indication of the content in mineral substances (magnesium and calcium) which fish, invertebrates and plants need for their growth and survival.

Chlorine (Cl₂): indication of the chlorine content in tap water that is harmful to fishes.

Permanent Hardness (pH): the pH value indicates the acidity of the water. Most aquarium fish (not all) prefer it to be between 6.8 and 7.6. Some fish such as Discus (lower) and Malawi Cichlids (higher) like it to be slightly different.

Carbonate Hardness (kH): important in the stabilisation of the pH value. Ideally, your aquarium should be between 4-8 dKH.