Dennerle Water Test 6-in-1

Dennerle Water Test 6-in-1

Dennerle Water Test 6-in-1 is one of the most accurate and easiest to ready water testing strips for aquariums on the market.

Instant test for the 6 important water values:

• pH value
• Carbonate hardness
• Total hardness
• Nitrite
• Nitrate
• Chlorine

Testing with Dennerle Water Test 6-in-1:

1. pH-Wert
The pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. At a pH of 7 the water is neutral, under 7 acidic, over 7 alkaline. Most fish feel happiest in water with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. pH Assessment / actions 6.4 or under Too acidic. Raise the pH: Add Dennerle KH+Elixier or carbonate-containing tap water (measure!). 6.8 – 7.6 Optimum pH for most fish and plants. 8.0 – 8.4 Too high. Stress for fish and plants. Promotes algae. Decrease pH: Add soft tap water or osmosis water, if necessary filter via peat or add CO2.

2. Carbonate hardness CH
It is measured in °dH (German degrees). Water from limestone areas has high carbonate hardness (hard water). Water from granite or sandstone areas and rain water has low carbonate hardness (soft water). Carbonate hardness has an important buffering function. Carbonate hardness °d Assessment / actions

0 Much too low, water has no buffering capacity. pH unstable, risk to fish. Raise CH: Add Dennerle KH+Elixier or carbonate tap water (measure!).
3 Carbonate hardness low. Perhaps increase CH slightly
6 – 10 Optimum CH for most fish and plants.
15 Carbonate hardness high. Perhaps decrease CH slightly: Partial water change with osmosis water or soft tap water (measure!).
20 Carbonate hardness too high. Possible causes include hard tap water, chalky substrate, limestone rocks or pebbles, insufficient water change. Gradually decrease CH: see above.

3. Total hardness TH
The total hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium and magnesium salts in the water. Calcium is essential to fish for building their skeletons; water snails require it for their shells. Calcium and magnesium are also important for plants. Total hardness °d Assessment / actions under 3 Total hardness too low. Water too low in minerals. Stress for fish and plants.

Raise TH: Add Dennerle Osmose ReMineral+ or tap water with a higher total hardness. 4 – 14 Optimum total hardness for most fish and plants. over 21 Total hardness too high. Possible causes include hard tap water, chalky substrate, limestones or pebbles, insufficient water change. Gradually decrease TH: Partial water change with osmosis water or soft tap water (measure!).

4. Nitrite NO2
Nitrite is an intermediate product of bacterial degradation of proteins. Nitrite is highly toxic to fish even in minimal amounts! In a properly functioning aquarium it is quickly oxidised by bacteria to form relatively harmless nitrate. Nitrite content mg/l Assessment / actions 0 Optimum. Filter bacteria and filter are working well. Over 0.5 Nitrite degradation impaired or filter bacteria overloaded. Stress for fish. Use Dennerle Bacto Elixier FB7 clear water filtering bacteria. Do not feed fish, do not add any fish. Check filter function. Only resume feeding fish when nitrite is no longer detectable.

5. Nitrate NO3
Nitrate is an end product of bacterial degradation of proteins. In low concentrations, nitrate is non-toxic to fish, but higher concentrations cause stress and promote algae growth.
Nitrate content mg/l Assessment / actions 0 – 25 Good. The aquarium is naturally balanced. Not prone to much algae growth. 50 High. Aquarium unbalanced. Promotes algae. Solution: Reduce fish population, feed less, carry out partial water change more frequently. Add as many fast-growing plants as possible (e.g. hornwort)! 100 – 500 Too high. Balance impaired. Higher values cause stress for fish, increased risk of disease. Risk of proliferation of algae. Solution: see above.

6. Chlorine Cl2
Chlorine is used by water treatment works to disinfect drinking water. Chlorine is very aggressive and can harm fish and plants. Water used for water changes or refilling should always be chlorine-free. Chlorine content mg/l Assessment / actions 0 Good. Tap water suitable for the aquarium. 0.8 – 3.0 Danger. Tap water unsuitable for the aquarium. Solution: Use DENNERLE Aqua Elixier water conditioner, add tap water via active carbon filter or ventilate in a separate container for several hours before adding.

Once you have dipped Dennerle Water Test 6-in-1 into the water wait 60 seconds then read the results.

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