Aquachek

            The five components of an Aquachek test are free chlorine, total chlorine, total hardness, total alkalinity, and pH level. The free chlorine is free ions that are active and total chlorine is chloramine plus free chlorine. These parts of the test check the level of chlorine in the water to determine if your fish will survive. Total hardness is related to the quantities of dissolved minerals the water contains. This is important because calcium, one of the major components of hard water, is important in spawning and raising fish. It is critical in the development of the egg, bone, and tissue. Total alkalinity is the ability of water to resist changes in pH. It is important to check that the level is sufficient for the tank inhabitants. The final component, pH, is tested to make sure that the water is neither acidic nor basic. It needs to be neutral for the most part in order for the fish and aquatic life to produce and live.

            Meg and I had results of 0ppm in free chlorine, 0ppm in total chlorine, a 250 in total hardness, a 240 in total alkalinity, and a 7.8 in pH. These results insure that our fish will survive and live well in our tank. It will not die because of too much chlorine, not enough nutrients or minerals, nor too acidic water. The fish tank we have is in great condition for aquatic life.