FAQ: Grooming for fish

The main ones are ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, carbonate (KH) and general (GH) hardness, and temperature. In a new tank ammonia and nitrite matter most, while in an established one nitrate and pH are usually monitored.

Test strips are quick and convenient and show several parameters at once, but they are less accurate and sensitive to moisture. Liquid drop tests take longer but are usually more accurate, and one kit lasts for many tests.

In a new tank, test every few days until ammonia and nitrite fall to zero. In an established tank every week or two is enough, plus whenever the fish behave unusually or the water turns cloudy.

Tests have an expiry date after which the reagents may give inaccurate results. Keep them tightly closed in a dry, dark place, and close a tube of strips straight away, because moisture spoils them quickly.

Not essential, but convenient. A pH meter needs regular calibration to read accurately. A TDS meter shows the total dissolved substances but not what they are, so it cannot measure ammonia or nitrite.

Use a clean test-only vial and take water from the middle of the tank, not straight after a water change or adding products. Follow the drop count and waiting time in the test instructions exactly.

Nitrate forms as fish waste breaks down and slowly builds up even in a well-running tank. Its level shows whether your water changes are enough: if nitrate keeps rising, change water more often or in larger amounts, or feed less.

With every water change you add tap water, so its hardness, pH and nitrate shape the conditions in the tank. Water suppliers often publish water quality data, and you can check the parameters yourself with tests.

It is the process in which beneficial bacteria turn ammonia from fish waste and leftover food into nitrite, and nitrite into less harmful nitrate. Nitrate is removed by water changes and partly used by plants.

It usually takes several weeks for enough bacteria to settle in the filter. The tank is considered ready when tests show no ammonia or nitrite for several days in a row, while nitrate appears.

Bacteria products can help beneficial bacteria establish faster, but you still need to check the result with tests rather than rely on the time promised on the pack. Use them as labelled and add fish gradually.

Yes, a sponge or media from a healthy, established tank carries beneficial bacteria and greatly speeds up cycling. It can also carry pathogens or snails, so only take it from a tank where the fish are healthy.

The amount of bacteria in the filter grows with the amount of waste. Adding many fish at once means the bacteria cannot process the ammonia in time and it rises. Adding a few fish at a time with gaps of a few weeks lets the bacteria keep up.

Some products are meant for use after water changes or filter cleaning, so read the label. In an established tank they are usually unnecessary, because the bacteria live in the filter and substrate, not in the water.

Check whether it neutralises chloramine as well as chlorine, whether it binds heavy metals and whether it suits your tank type, freshwater or marine. Also consider how many litres of water one bottle treats.

Conditioner strength varies, so what matters is not just the bottle size but how many litres of tank water it treats. On zoogidas.lt you can compare products by price per litre, and how much water a product treats is stated on its label.

Most conditioners tolerate a small margin of error, but a big excess can lower oxygen or otherwise affect fish and invertebrates. Dose according to the label and the actual volume of new water, not the whole tank volume.

Keep conditioners, bacteria products, fertilisers and tests tightly closed in a cool, dark place out of reach of children and pets. Protect them from frost and heat, because some products, especially bacteria, lose their effect.

Follow the expiry date and storage conditions on the pack. If the colour, smell or texture has changed or it has frozen, it is safer to replace it. A large bottle is only worthwhile if you will use it up in time.

Water evaporates naturally, especially from open and warm tanks. Only water evaporates while salts and other substances stay, so evaporated water must be topped up, but topping up does not replace regular water changes. If the level drops quickly, check for a leak.