Why test for Ammonia?

As mentioned in our blog post on What is the Nitrogen Cycle? ammonia is a toxic waste that is excreted by fish or caused by decomposing plant matter and uneaten fish food.  At low levels, ammonia is stressful for most fish and other inhabitants -- at higher levels, it is deadly. Fortunately, naturally occurring bacteria are present in most established systems that converts this ammonia to nitrite and in turn, to the less toxic nitrate.

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

The Nitrogen Cycle is a fairly basic concept that everyone who maintains an aquarium should understand. It is the biological process that converts toxic substances (ammonia) in our aquariums to something (nitrates) that is less harmful to the inhabitants. This process involves the establishment of beneficial bacterial which break down fish and other wastes into less harmful compounds.

Why should you use test kits?

Why should you test your aquarium water?  The answer is simple.  Being an aquarist means that fish, and perhaps invertebrates, are in your care.  They depend on you to feed them and otherwise provide them with the best possible environment to ensure they are both happy and healthy.