Aquatru Test Kits

Important Questions Answered

Question :
Why do some manufacturers put expiration dates for the reagents in the Water Quality Test Kits, when others do not? Isn't it that those reagents with no dates are longer lasting?
 

 Answer :
 It is worth considering with caution those water test kit products that do not have "use before" dates printed on their packaging for their reagents.  All reagents for any colorimetric water quality test kit degrade over time, the reagents for some tests degrading far faster than others. There is also a very wide spread difference between the qualities of reagents between manufacturers, ranging from the inexpensive cheapest quality with little accuracy to the expensive scientific grade meeting high  standards of accuracy. 

There are three types of non-electronic colorimetric water tests --  Strips, Liquids, and Powders -- all of which change color when added to the water being tested.   Test strips have by far the shortest shelf life and by the time they reach the consumer may be to some extent inaccurate.  The liquids are intermediate.  The dry powders have by far the longest shelf life and greatest reliability of the colorimetric tests.  To really get the best accuracy (but also by far at the highest price) use an electronic test kit.

A part of the problem in test accuracy for colorimetric water tests is the time between manufacture, placement on the market, and use by the consumer.   These products need to be dated as to their "use before" date, so that the consumer can decide whether they are usable or not.  Some are not dated, and there are others that are dated far beyond a realistic time of expiration. 

Kordon's reagents are dry powders in sealed foil packets and all are dated accurately with "Best Used Before" dating. All Kordon Reagents that are out of date can be returned to Kordon to be replaced free with fresh reagents.  Kordon reagents are all made in scientific laboratories in the U.S.and meet the high technical standards for best quality.  See their descriptions under Water Test Kits on Kordon's home page and listings on NovaShop under Kordon and then click on Aquarium and Pond Test Kits.

The degradation of colorimetric reagents can be slowed by keeping the reagents cool.   For further information see the Kordon Article THE TRUTH ABOUT WATER FOR AQUARIUMS AND PONDS, AND ABOUT WATER TEST KITS -- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW [hyperlink]. 

Question :
I hear about using test kits to check the water in aquariums and ponds when they are started, but am confused about which ones are needed and what the results mean when I make the tests?
 

 Answer :
The essential water test for the aquarium or pond when it is first set up is for pH/acidity/alkalinity. For fresh water preferably the range for community fish are 6.5-7.5 pH, and for salt water 8.2-8.3 pH.  For ponds with Koi the range would preferably be 7.0-7.5 since Koi prefer harder water and higher pH.
 
When aquariums and ponds are first started, they need to go through the "Nitrogen Cycle" (see Kordon Article on " Biological Filtration" , which is a natural bacterial process for all new aquariums and ponds.  This process needs to be understood because it can be highly toxic to the fish and other water inhabitants.  It is best right from the start to detoxify this entire "Cycle" by using Kordon's AmQuel Plus which does not interfere with the bacteria in this cycle nor slow the "Cycle" down.  What it does do is make all the "Cycle" completely nontoxic when used correctly, thereby making all concerned a lot happier.  

If you are using a water test kit for testing the nitrogen cycle you would first test for Ammonia (preferably by using the Salycilate Ammonia test kit which usually measures between 0-1.0 mgL (= to 0-1.0 ppm).  Anything above 0.25 mgL is toxic to fishes, and toxicity can be a problem for some aquatic animals at as low as 0.05 mgL (=ppm).  But keep in mind that using Kordon's Amquel Plus will detoxify per dose 1.2 ppm [= to 1.2 mgL) ammonia, and increased doses will take out proportionately more of the ammonia if it is present.  For further information see the Kordon Article " What Every Aquarist and Pond Keeper Should Know About Ammonia Test Kits".

After one week or so -- testing could be started for Nitrites with a Nitrite water test kit.  The toxic form of Nitrites should be kept as near zero as possible, so a kit with a range of 0-1.0 mgL (=ppm) is sufficient.  Per dose AmQuel Plus will detoxify/remove 2 mgL (=ppm) of nitrites. 

After three weeks -- testing could be started for Nitrates.  The most useful test kit will read accurately the lower range of nitrates, such as 0-50 mgL (=ppm).  The toxic form of nitrates should be kept at 10 mgL (= ppm) or lower.  Per dose AmQuel Plus will detoxify/remove 13 mgL (=ppm) of all nitrates.  Increased dosages will remove proportionately larger amounts of nitrates.  For further information see the Kordon Article " What Every Aquarist and Pond Keeper Should Know About Nitrate Test Kits".

When using Kordon AmQuel Plus, all of the nitrogen compounds in the "Nitrogen Cycle" and "Biological Filtration" to the extent that they are detoxified will be not be shown by the water test kits.  the tests will only show how much is not detoxified.  This is very useful, because these readings are what the aquarist and pond keeper need to know in order to make further doses of AmQuel Plus.

At this time and subsequently for aquarium and pond keeping, it becomes helpful to test regularly for pH to be sure that the water is not becoming more acid (lower in pH). 

All of these tests are  useful in monitoring the "nitrogen cycle" in new aquarium and pond start ups. Continuing the regular testing of pH is important because it is the one test that gives information about a number of factors happening in the water. For examples, if the pH is going down it means the water is becoming more acidic, which can kill aquatic life. If the pH is going up, it is becoming more alkaline which may be too harsh for freshwater aquatic life that only tolerates a median pH of about 7.0. If the pH drops below 5 the beneficial bacteria in the water will go dormant or die, stopping the consumption of toxic nitrogen compounds by the bacteria. For more information on what the test results mean for all the tests, see the Kordon Articles on water quality and test kits on the Kordon home page.

Question :
My water test kits are not working with AmQuel+®. What test kits work with AmQuel+®?
 

 Answer :
Two of the reagents used by manufacturers in their test kits are based on chemicals that adversely react with AmQuel+®.  These are the Winkler oxygen test and the Nessler Ammonia test.  Their results are usually unreadable if either AmQuel or AmQuel+ is in the water.  Fortunately there are test kits on the market which work very well with both AmQuels, which include all of the Kordon ® AquaTru® Test Kits, which use professional laboratory grade reagents which are dated to insure that they are accurate. All Kordon ® AquaTru® Test Kits are fully compatible with both AmQuel® and AmQuel+®.

For further information see the Kordon Article THE TRUTH ABOUT WATER FOR AQUARIUMS AND PONDS, AND ABOUT WATER TEST KITS -- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW [hyperlink].  In this article is explained about the different grades of water test kits and their compatibility with AmQuel+.