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Your Fish Could Be Sick Because You're Testing Water Wrong

Fish Shop Matt

15,958 views

When a friend called about sick fish, the first thing I advised was testing water. Even though they thought their water quality was fine, there was clearly a problem. This video covers the initial steps to take regarding water testing in a freshwater aquarium, emphasizing the importance of proper fishkeeping practices.

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00:00 Why Your Fish Tank Water Test Results Might Be Lying to You
01:44 Liquid Test Kits vs Test Strips: Which Is Better for an Aquarium?
02:19 Aquarium Water Parameters Explained: Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate
04:00 Understanding pH, KH, and GH in Your Fish Tank
05:13 How Aquarium Test Strips Work (And Why They Fail)
06:18 The Biggest Problems with Multi-Parameter Dip Strips
10:14 How to Use a Liquid Test Kit for Accuracy
12:44 Is a Master Test Kit Worth the Money? (Cost vs Saving Fish)
14:26 Reviewing NT Labs Eco-Friendly Aquarium Test Kit Redesign
17:58 Step-by-Step Aquarium Water Testing Tutorial
19:16 How to Test for Nitrite (NO2) and Nitrate (NO3)
21:30 How to Measure KH (Carbonate Hardness) & GH (General Hardness)
26:27 Why You Should Keep a Water Testing Log
28:21 How to Fix Bad Aquarium Water Parameters
29:10 How to Lower High Ammonia & Nitrite Levels Fast
31:01 Aquarium Nitrate Control & Removal Tips
32:22 How to Adjust Fish Tank pH Safely (Raising vs Lowering pH)
34:40 Managing Water Hardness (GH & KH) with Tap Water Changes
35:57 Final Verdict: Why I Chose Liquid Tests Over Dip Strips

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20 Comments

@anikasguppygarten 3 weeks ago

Thank you for this video! I said in one of my videos that test strips are unreliable and inaccurate and recommended using liquid tests for everyone who wants to know the exact parameters in their aquarium.
One other german youtuber got very upset and insulted me about having said that. Honestly, I feared he was having a coronary, he was so mad about it 😂. So, to me it is very reassuring that you judge the test strips exactly like I do. And every other sensible person, honestly. Greetings from Germany ❤.

@littleishfish 4 months ago

Thank you for taking the time to make videos about what we NEED to know. I imagine it isn't always lucrative but it's always appreciated!!!

@heidipingu 4 months ago

Yes to gh/kh video please matt.

@lanthanien 7 days ago (edited)

The packaging holding the test tubes upright is pretty cool. I've been using a different test kit and it's sometimes a question of which test tube is from which test, especially when completing water changes at the same time. Having a specific place for each test is great. Also, test your tap water! Had high phosphates and algae in a tank and the issue was tap water with phosphates and high silicates.

@lizzyrbits 4 months ago (edited)

Since I'm in the US and all we can buy is the test kits, they may already do this, but it would be amazing to be able to buy bottles of JUST reagent instead of a whole new kit when it runs out! Good for NT labs reducing their kit size in general!

To compare to AP, which comes in a big plastic box and doesn't test GH and KH, one has to buy those separately and then THEY DON'T EVEN FIT IN THE BOX

@danielchadwick-hh3cn 4 months ago

I had no idea that strip tests could cross contaminate like that. I've always used them for mature tanks when doing basic maintenance and generally use an NT Labs liquid kit for new set ups.
I don't think I've ever compared one against the other.

Thanks again Matt for another brilliant video that I learned something from 🐟

@andrewriggs401 4 months ago

Please do a KH and GH video

@J-Miura 4 months ago

API catching strays and now I'm looking at my master kit sideways. And this one comes with GH KH. I'm convinced Matt. Also, had no idea about using the same test vile thing. Oh boy time to label.😑 Great vid as always!

@aawyfroggy723 4 months ago

I set up my first tank today after following your guides, so I'm glad you're covering the water tests since that will be my next battle (?) 😤

Also, yes please a guide on GH and KH. Knowledge is power.

Thank you 🤘✨️

@cathyhendrix7552 4 months ago

Yes please do a video on GH and KH. It confuses me. Because it says I have hard water BUT my Ph is 6. 🤷‍♀️ I will watch it.

@MatthewPring-m3h 4 months ago

Yes please gh and KH vid would be great especially on how they affect plants

@George-p6q8l 4 months ago

Yes do the video on gh and kh it would be helpful.

@lesleyr.4173 4 months ago

I am new to all this, my tank is not set up yet. I have been looking at test kits, but then saw this YouTube video. I am so glad that I had not purchased a test kits before watching this. Just placed my order. Great video! Thank you.

@MunchkinBP 11 days ago

OMG, I've been using the NT Labs test kit for over a year now and keep obsessing over packing them in a certain way to make sure I always use the same ones for the same tests. I never realized about the stickers lmao. Thank you so much for mentioning that, I just stuck my stickers on and now I don't have to stress about that 😅

@idobutidont 3 months ago (edited)

Fantastic videos. Love the beginner friendly approach, very useful advices and information.
Thank you.
PS: I'd love your opinion on digital aquarium water testers

@sergh8605 4 months ago

Thank you for the great video with amazing info.

@theRumourmonger 4 months ago

A GH and KH video is an excellent idea. I've been trying to get these right on the water that I'm refilling my tanks with, but always have problems with getting the water parameters right when using Seachem acid buffer, alkaline buffer and equilibrium on my RO water, while still trying to keep the TDS levels down.

@lancsfishkeeper1573 4 months ago

A KH and GH video will be useful especially how it can impact the stability of PH levels which i found out recently to the detriment of several fish in an established tank and I am a seasoned fish keeper for over 30 years with multiple tanks but everyday is a learning curve in this hobby.

@CarlCooke-d2r 1 month ago

Brilliant video as always Matt. I’m having problems with nitrates here in Norfolk. Fairly new to the hobby and things were going well. Then I noticed my nitrates were going up even with weekly water changes. I tested my tap water and it’s coming into my house at 50ppm! Water changes with this are actually raising my nitrate levels. I’ve spoken to three local fish shops and they honestly didn’t have a clue. Two didn’t even know what nitrates were. I think I’ve found the answer in a nitrate filter which I’m about to start using but I wondered if this is a widespread problem which many people are unaware of. Keep up the great work you do. 👍

@dudleyb 3 months ago

Thank you Matt. You have given me the confidence to use a test kit! I would love an in depth video on kh & gh btw. And a vid on Ph. Super hard water here so it's always a big consideration with fish and plants.