How to TEST YOUR WATER! Complete step by step guide on testing with the

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This is possibly the most comprehensive aquarium water testing video I will ever make but everything you will need is in this video (nearly).
I like to test my water regularly as it gives me the knowledge of what is happening with my fish tanks over time. The ‪@NTLabsOfficialSite‬ aquarium lab has been my go to test kit now for many years, mostly this is because of the user friendly nature and affordability of the test kit.
Testing can be the difference between a successful aquascape with thriving tetras, catfish, shrimp and plants or a tank of green soup with no fish in sight.
NT labs UK affiliate links
NT labs aquarium lab test kit amzn.to/44A0RNn
NT labs KH buffer amzn.to/3VV8E4F
NT labs Filter starter amzn.to/3HOu5hT
Sorry US people cannot seem to find NT labs on Amazon for you but I know its available in the US, probably best to check with your local fish shop.
Subscribe to NT labs on RU-vid @NTLabsOfficialSite
Below I've listed all the starting points of all the different water tests, this way if you need to revisit and see one you can do so at the click of a button.
Testing chapters:
0:00 - Intro to testing water
8:46 - Ammonia
13:04 - Nitrite
16:26 - Nitrate
20:06 - Ph
23:20 - KH
25:44 - GH
Where to buy the NT labs test kit:
www.ntlabs.co.uk/stockist-fin...
Read more about the NT labs test kit here:
www.ntlabs.co.uk/browse-produ...
#fish #aquarist #aquarium #aquascape #communityfish #fishkeeping #fishshopmatt #fishtank #tropicalfish

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Опубликовано:

11 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 123

@wickedmikes5281 Год назад

I think it would be really cool if you did an intermediate-level video about how hardscape materials can affect water parameters and why you should therefore make those choices with the inhabitants in mind: how rock can affect pH, why tetras thrive in blackwater setups, etc.

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Brilliant idea I will jot it down, I feel a few setups might be in order.

@eatmynoobfood7461 Год назад

Makes a refreshing change to have someone like yourself to actually break down stuff like this so us average Bob's can fully understand it. Instead of someone saying buy a test kit and follow the instructions 🤦‍♂️ Another great video, Very much appreciated 👍✌️

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you buddy, very kind of you to say. Gives me drive to keep going and making more.

@littlecally Год назад

Thank you for explaining gh and kh. My kh had dropped to zero and I couldn’t find anything much about it online except to add crushed coral but I keep shrimps and I couldn’t see a way to do it accurately. I went to my local Maidenhead aquatics and they helped but it’s nice to know there’s internet help now!

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! I'm planning on doing a more in depth video at some point but at least this gives you an understanding.

@vernajohnson6746 Год назад

Thank you! You make it easy to understand 💛

@FishShopMatt Год назад

That's awesome to hear, it's certainly what I aim for! ❤️❤️❤️

@lpoolck17 Год назад

Why cannot I stop saying "can I have a 'P' please Bob" when watching this video 😂 Another great video Matt, really informative. Especially the relationship between ammonia and pH below 7 👍

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Hahaha brilliant. You're more than welcome! ❤️

@stephenpearce4907 Год назад

Brilliant video once more Matt, keep em coming 😊

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Will do, thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️

@cherylharless281 Год назад

Thank you for having such brief intos and outros. So many new creators have them wayyyy too long.

@royd63uk Год назад

Thanks Matt great instructional video, just bought the test kit from your link

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Fantastic thank you! ❤️

@MrSimonpug 5 месяцев назад

Excellent video. First time using the NT kit and really pleased that i found yours. My daughter and I watch you and MD nearly every night since we set up our aquarium. Mango the goldfish and spike the bristlenose are very happy and their levels are all good. Keep up the great content its really appreciated. 👌

@v-man372 Год назад

Nice one mate. Very useful 👍🏻

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! ❤️

@user-tn1vc1xz5d Год назад

I was over your shop last week on way home from hols. Super place, great to see the tanks from YT vids and shop tour with MD. Love your content and always appreciate your knowledge. I love tetras ❤

@geraldoyo1 Год назад

Thanks Matt, great video!

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

@ionutkiss6381 Год назад

I found you from MD clips. Love everything both of you guys are doing. You are a great storyteller. Better than MD 😄😄

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Hahahaha thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

@ionutkiss6381 Год назад

@@FishShopMatt this video really helped me to better understand all the water paramaters because I keep shrimps and also fish. Really helpful video. I have to get a water testing kit like the one you used. Thank you!

@stevenpavan327 Год назад

No better fish teacher on RU-vid. Bravo good sir.

@stevedenruyter4902 Год назад

Great explanation, I would like to see you compare some strips against these test. 🤞🤞🤞🤯

@ir0ndice Год назад

love you soon 100k fella

@FishShopMatt Год назад

🤣🤣🤣 fingers crossed

@janetaylor8635 4 месяца назад

Ty that makes the test kit even easier to understand !

@craig559 Год назад

Quality video I was literally looking for a water testing kit as this was posted

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you, glad I could be helpful!

@MyNanoFish Год назад

Brilliant, I really needed this video. These kits always look a bit complicated and so I’ve always stuck to just dippy sticks, but this looks quite simple. Thank you for explaining it so well too. Not just how to do it, but what it is we are testing for and what causes it. 🙏🏼 Another excellent video 😊

@stevecooper6653 Год назад

You can’t go wrong with the NT LAB 🧪 KIT 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! I'm glad it helped you! ❤️❤️❤️

@gardengecko78 2 месяца назад

Hi Matt, first time ‘fish person’ here & I’m finding your videos massively helpful! I’m in my first week of cycling the tank (230l) so nowhere near ready for actual fish yet, but could you do a video on water changes please? I’m a bit worried about the drop in temp & adding straight from the tap, so some straightforward advice on the best/easiest way to do this would be great. Want to be prepared 😁 thank you!

@gigi3242 Год назад

Thanks Matt, very informative. Take care, be well

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! ❤️

@malcolmmcguire2876 Год назад

Hey Matt thanks for your videos. It’s off topic but I’d like to see you and MD put together a local stream biotope full of sticklebacks what do you think? Cheers Malcolm

@Tokyo_Hikari Год назад

Coming from the reefing community, just another tip I didn't hear Matt mention. If your testing does reveal values that requires you to do something about your water, do the test one more time to see that you actually get the same result. False test results do happen...

@ronklint9437 Год назад

Best video on water cycle ever!!! Great job Matt

@Spearse29 7 месяцев назад

I use that kit and use kh up buffer at every water change, no tanks if i don't. My natural water kh is 1, this video is brilliant wish i had seen this when i started out.

@ratsters7 Год назад

Excellent again!

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you!

@judianprithiv457 9 месяцев назад

Great Video, thanks for the insight!

@adam6260 Год назад

Thank you Matt, it's making sense to me now. 😊

@lizdyson3627 8 месяцев назад

Absolutely ❤ the decor on the wall behind you Matt.

@cherylbeswick7327 11 месяцев назад

Thank you 🙏🙏🙏 I've been searching for this kind of video for ages with very little success! This is extremely helpful

@joannecummins5265 Год назад

Thanks Matt, this is my go to test kit because it is easy to do...

@shirllynnetuggle1115 Год назад

I never understood the testing until I saw your video. Thank you so much for breaking it down. ❤

@michellebrownstein6569 8 месяцев назад

Love your dogs❤

@jamespalmer3716 Год назад

great vid matt and very well explained 👍

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you!

@aquaracer65 Год назад

Nice to hear an experienced aquarist saying water changes are essential for a change. All this talk that you can do without water changes can only work when you have a densely planted tank with three fish in it. Keep up the good work.

@marystyles5068 Год назад

❤❤❤ thank you for all this information

@FishShopMatt Год назад

You're welcome, I know it's a lot but I couldn't help myself but get it all out there! ❤️❤️❤️

@nickwiseman7770 Год назад

Fantastic absolutely 100% helpful video! Thanks for going into more detail with everything

@Instinct245 Год назад

Super handy

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Certainly my aim! ❤️

@rowenamattingley5677 Год назад

Thank you, I now really understand❤

@FishShopMatt Год назад

So glad I could help

@offcampnandy7727 Год назад

Awesome 👍👍👍simple n easy, cheers for sharing 👍👍👍 Cheers Andy 🍺🍺🍺

@cherylbeswick7327 11 месяцев назад

Thanks

@TheShark40404 Год назад

Hi Matt, saw you in the shop today and wanted to say thank you for the advice, looking forward to getting discus from you soon.😁

@goboe1014 Год назад

Thanks for this! You make it sound so simple compared to most on here 👏 Literally a talking guide for fish keeping dummies

@chronical21 Год назад

watching all the way from jamaica. Love watching your videos

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Amazing!!! I think you're my first to comment from Jamaica, thank you for watching! ❤️❤️❤️

@lostremains4196 9 месяцев назад

Would love to see your in-depth video on this! Thank you for your efforts and knowledge in the aquarium hobby. Keep being you and love your personality 👍🏻

@traceychiang909 Год назад

Nice explanation, thanks

@FishShopMatt Год назад

You're welcome! ❤️

@metalhead9849 Год назад

Matt, excellent advice about keeping a log. I've always done this, and until I had a feel for what was going on I tested daily! It's a great path to confidence. Also, LOTS of plants. I have so many, including wild gathered ones that I actually have 0 nitrates. I also have 37 nano fish in a 15 gallon. It works. Only topping off for the time being.

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! Sounds like you have it nailed! ❤️

@Chinco_NL Год назад

Thanks, Matt, good video. Are there any devices on the market that can do it digitally?

@stevesmith6022 Год назад

Great video as always Matt my nitrates are a deep red basically of the scale I’ve tested all the water from my local fish shops and they are high the same as me and that includes my local Maidenhead fish shop what can I do …I have high nitrates in my tap water so water changes don’t work

@-AndrewR Год назад

👍🏻👍🏻

@pkoppart Год назад

Good one Matt. You sound more confident when MD is filming though, lol. Just joking :-)

@lizdyson3627 8 месяцев назад

Brilliant Video. I want this kit. I'm using the sticks that look like diabetes blood test kits it's so hard to differentiate the colours

@ronlafond5288 Год назад

Hey Matt, This was really helpful relating the different tests and results to what can be expected in the tank when each test measures at different levels. It's great to know. I'm going to have to re-watch and take notes. In another video on the GH topic, they mentioned GH measures Calcium and Magnesium and the need to measure for Calcium specifically particularly if raising shrimp. Apparently it's the Calcium that's most necessary in the water hardness for healthy shrimp molts. Your thoughts? But seriously . . . whose Annette? 🙂

@ollieknott3314 Год назад

Hi Matt, Brilliant video. Just on the clip you inserted of your Betta eating, Does a shrimp that size pose a threat to a betta or similar sized fish? In the clip he was giving the Betta some Karate moves so just wondered.

@moo1253 Год назад

What about us in Australia dude. A little bit of Organic Peat Moss in a stocking stuffed inside your canister filter also helps with PH balance ;)

@Xinixx Год назад

First of all great video and good explained like always! Keep going! I have a little question about drop tests. Those test sets are mostly expensive and i feel like there is a marketing trick on it but im not sure about that (IDK if you are sponsor right now). For example you use 5ML per test and drop (mostly) 5 -6 drops in it. What if you half the tests with for example 2ML per test with 2 drops, or 2,5ML with 3 drops? do you get the same results i you hold the portions the same? What do you think? its just basic maths. Because then you can use your tests way more times then buy afther 40tests a new expensive test set......

@VrYtOfficial Год назад

Matt .. I am requesting few tips for beginners (planted aquariums) thank you… ❤❤ 🇮🇳

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Absolutely! I will work on putting something together! ❤️❤️❤️

@VrYtOfficial Год назад

Thank you so much … MATT

@wickedmikes5281 Год назад

You’re asking the right guy. Matt really knows his stuff.

@FishShopMatt Год назад

@@wickedmikes5281 thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

@wickedmikes5281 Год назад

@@FishShopMatt I’d seen something about using a product called Oil-Dri for substrate, so I tried it. You have to really wash it thoroughly, but my plants absolutely thrive in it. Check it out if you haven’t yet.

@medkow7415 6 месяцев назад

One thousandth like!

@serifaquascaper Год назад

🎉❤😊

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Thank you! ❤️

@FinnegansFish Год назад

See Matt testing water, promptly tests all 8 tanks. Cheers

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Hahahah sorry! 🤣

@jonathanpilmore7140 8 месяцев назад

Hi Matt, RE: KH - You said the minimum it should be is 4 but I heard the minimum you could actually go to is 2.

@Morpheus-km4qj Год назад

I suffer with very high silicates in my tap water causing diatoms even though my tank is over a year old

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Silicates can be a nightmare. Really the only way I've found that works well is using Ro water.

@Aftek Год назад

this is breaking bad season 6 isn't it ? :D

@FishShopMatt Год назад

Hahaha I nearly went that way with the thumbnail.

@Stuartmayle Год назад

Hi Matt I want to go for community species tetras galaxy rasboras Corys bristlenoses rummy noses maybe some rainbows Mollys guppies we have hard water will this have a affect on what species I can go for

@PBee8108 8 месяцев назад

Matt, you're an adorable ginger care bear with your lack of polish and naturalness.

@interstellargreenbean 4 месяца назад

Im considering a blackwater setup. Does the tint of the water make it harder to use these test kits? Would strips be better? Is there a specific blackwater kit to use?

@lburgess3098 6 месяцев назад

Help. Just tested for the first time with my new NT Labs kit (Xmas prezzie) Everything fine but the PH is 6 (I live in Bideford). I’ve heard that you can put cuttlefish in the water to raise the PH … is this safe do you think? I don’t know how to raise it really. 😮. 30Lt tank, 10 shrimp, 6 neon tetra.

@lainiebennett7746 Год назад

I use aqua care test kit. Is that as good as ntlabs?

@christophergarwood Год назад

Does the NT labs kit have an expiry date for the chemicals in the tubes? Keep it going pal! Love from Wales

@FishShopMatt Год назад

They do, but I believe the one I just opened has a year and a half on the expiry.

@thirsa9013 Год назад

What do you do with the tests afterwards, as the chemicals added seem rather toxic. Can it be safely thrown down the drain or should I treat it as chemical waste?

@karenreardon1372 5 месяцев назад

Can a too powerful filter harm your planted tank?

@chrisdeere2694 4 месяца назад

Could anyone else not see the ammonia tube colour?

@victoriasmith2041 Год назад

If you’re not at 0 there’s no hope for the rest of us rofl 😅😂😂😂😂

@stevec2198 Год назад

Hi matt can you teach our local maidenhead aquatics shop in St. Albans, to stock hardscape like your shop please 😂

@FishShopMatt Год назад

🤣🤣🤣 you cannot teach that, it's a natural gift.

@stevec2198 Год назад

@@FishShopMatt just get them to do the scatter gravel boxes 😁

@bioshock745 Год назад

Good British company been using for years :)

@mike8744 Год назад

Hi Matt could you explain what air stones are used for, are they needed and will fish be fine without one

@andystokes8702 Год назад

I'm intrigued that you have a planted tank with zero ammonia, zero nitrite and zero nitrate. These are the three compounds that plants utilise as a food source. If you have zero for all of them what are your plants feeding on? I have been led to believe that having zero ammonia, zero nitrite and a reading of 20-30mmp of nitrate was the ideal place to be for planted tanks.

@FishShopMatt Год назад

You shouldn't be able to measure any ammonia or nitrite in your aquarium as this should be used before you get chance to find it. I dose a couple different fertilisers into my aquarium to keep the plants happy. Also they will be getting nitrate as my aquarium will be producing it, but it's being used up quicker than it can be produced. Plants will survive on very little sometimes, the more you do the more they thrive.

@leahnichol6665 Год назад

@@FishShopMatt With the nitrate very low will it slow the growth of the plants, therefore lowering plant maintenance?

@FishShopMatt Год назад

@@leahnichol6665 yeah more than likely, you can add minerals in to help the plants along.

@leahnichol6665 Год назад

@@FishShopMatt Or add fish? 😉

@DaffCookie Год назад

When your tap water is in the 30s for GH and 40s for Nitrate so have to use 90% RO water and 10% tap.... Still get KH 8 to 10 depending on tank, PH 7.5 , GH 15 to 20 depending on tank and Nitrates to 10. Shrimp are like Godzilla 😂