FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Are the testing strips good enough to test my water attributes or should I spring for the ones with the test tubes?

Also, does an airstone really help very much or is it just something pretty?

From my experience I will say that the test strips are largely inaccurate. I would go for a liquid test kit. It won't be as convenient, but you will at least be getting correct information about your water.

Airstones are helpful in adding oxygen to aquariums. Tanks with low surface movement or stagnant water benefit from an airstone or a powerhead. Personally, I prefer powerheads. They generate more current and are easily adjustable.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

do the liquid tests check for oxygen? how do I know if I need more?

I've got a 10 gallon with a whisper filter off the back...it seems to move the water pretty good.

You can buy a liquid kit for oxygen, but it really isn't needed. If your filter is turned up close to all the way, it will be sufficient for such a small tank. If your fish constantly remain near the surface of the water and gulp in large mouthfuls, that's a sign of low oxygen. The water near the surface is higher in oxygen, so fish who are having trouble with respiration will hang around up there to make it easier on themselves.

Welcome to the forums!

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

thanks for your help and the welcome

I think I need to take a closer look at my filter to see how to adjust it. I think its working a little too hard.

Hi
Welcome to FP!

While I've heard of a test kit for Oxygen, I've never
purchased or used one nor do I know of anyone who has.

Unless you have your tank packed with fish so that it
resembles the "feeder tank" at an LFS and the fish are
all gasping at the surface, you have plenty of Oxygen in
the tank.

Air stones are not generally necessary, and are something
that is up to the owner. If you like the bubbles and have
a glass cover to prevent the bursting bubbles from getting
onto the light or splashing outside the tank, then go for
it. If you have a weak filter return and not much
circulating current within the tank then an air stone will
help turn the tank over and also distribute the heat from
the heater.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I strongly agree with Frank. airstones and pumps are often unneccessary. Observe your fish early in the morning. Are they gasping for air at the surface? then air may be required. Be aware though, airstones do not directly add oxygen to the water. Water is oxygenated at the suface with a gas exchange. Any turbulence at the surface will add more oxygen to the water, simply turning up the flow on your filter, or lowering the level of the water juuust a bit so the water returning from the filter splashes into the tank would help quite a bit. I've two tanks with no air at all, but the filter flow agitates the surface and that aids in oxygenation.
Oh, and get a liquid test kit. The aquarium pharmaceuticals master water test kit is very good. Just for fun test with both the strips and the liquid test and see how close they are.