pH test for freshwater or saltwater aquaria

Measurement range for freshwater: pH 5.8 - 8.4

Measurement range for saltwater: pH 7.4 - 9.4

Accuracy: 0.2 - 0.3

The pH value or “degree of acidity” indicates how acidic or basic(alkaline) water is. Pure water is neutral and has a pH value of 7. If the acidic components outweigh the alkaline components, the pH value falls (pH < 7), if the alkaline components outweigh the acidic components, the pH value rises (pH >7). Many organisms are extremely sensitive to significant fluctuations in the pH value.

In freshwater aquariums, the optimum pH value range for most fish andplants is between 6.5 and 7.2. However, special habitats such as Lake Malawi in Africa exhibit higher pH values of up to 9.0.

In saltwater aquariums,the optimum pH value range is between 8.0 and 8.5, as it is in the ocean. Significant fluctuations and overly sharp decreases or increases in the pH value should be avoided at all costs. Therefore, the degree of acidity in the tank should be tested on a regular basis.

1. Shake the dropper bottle before use!
2. Rinse out the glass cuvette with tap water and then several times with aquarium water.
3. Fill the glass cuvette with exactly 5 ml of aquarium water using the dosing syringe.
4. Add 1 drop of pH test reagent, close the glass cuvette using the stopper and briefly shake the solution.
5. Place the glass cuvette on the white inner circles of the colour card and compare it to the surrounding colour fields. To do this, look into the open cuvette from above.
6. Read off the measured pH value under the relevant colour field.
7. Rinse out the glass cuvette and the syringe thoroughly with tap water after the measurement process. 

Shelf life and storage:

6 months after opening. Store in a cool, dark place.

If the pH value is too high or too low in the saltwater tank, we recommend using Tropic Marin^® TRIPLE BUFFER or LIQUID BUFFER as well as a partial water change. Where applicable, the settings on devices or doses of additives which influence the pH value must be adjusted (e.g. calcium carbonate reactors, lime water).

In freshwater aquariums, partial water changes and periodic testing of the water quality can also help to identify the reasons for the discrepancies.

• Total Hardness Test for freshwater (GH)
• Alkalinity Test (KH)
• Phosphate Test (PO₄)
• Nitrite/Nitrate Test (NO₂/NO₃)
• Ammonium/Ammonia Test (NH₄⁺/ NH₃)

• Alkalinity Test Professional (KH)
• Phosphate Test Professional (PO₄)
• Nitrite/Nitrate Test Professional (NO₂/NO₃)
• Calcium/Magnesium Test Professional (Ca/Mg)

In order to protect the environment, the reagent for the pH Test is also available in affordable refill packs!