Tetra 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 2 seconds,
• DO NOT shake the strip to remove the excess water,
• Wait 60 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.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not touch the test fields or hold them under running water.

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

Phosphate (PO₄)

• The phosphate content in the aquarium or pond is continuously increasing due to the feeding of the fish and the natural decomposition processes of organic material.
• The phosphate value should be as low as possible in order not to promote algae growth. In any case, a phosphate concentration of < 2 mg/l is desirable.
• If the phosphate concentration is too high, carry out a partial water change.
• An additional phosphate reduction can be achieved with Tetra PhosphateMinus for aquariums (RC074) or ponds (YR325).
• Always prepare the water with Tetra AquaSafe before or after you add new water to the aquarium or pond.

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.

Useful Tips:

• If either of these levels are high, expect to get high levels of algae growth. It is always worth comparing to tap water levels of PO₄ and NO₃ (which sometimes can be naturally high) to get a feel for how much your aquarium is producing. If the tap water levels are high, it is worth treating the new water before adding it to the aquarium. Alternatively, you can use remineralised reverse osmosis water which should have zero levels of nitrate and phosphate.

Carbonate Hardness (kH):

• Important in the stabilisation of the pH value. Ideally, your aquarium should be between 4-8 dkH.
• kH represents the hydrogen carbonate concentration, which acts as a pH-buffer.
• A stable buffer capacity will be achieved by KH values >= 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 Water Stabiliser. This allows you to achieve sufficient buffer capacity in your pond water. This is also an optimal condition for effective and safe algae control.

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.