Water Testing >> NT Labs Test Kits

Ammonia is released by most living organisms as part of the break down of organic matter. Fish waste contains a high level of ammonia, and they also secrete the substance at the gills.

Ammonia is very detrimental to fish health; it disturbs osmoregulatory function, irritates the gill and skin surfaces, destroys the protective mucous coating of the fish, causes internal and external bleeding, damages the brain and central nervous system. Even at levels below 0.01 ppm ammonia has been shown to depress the immune system of the fish.

Thus it is essential to regularly check the concentration of ammonia using a NT Labs Ammonia Test Kit, in your pond, to ensure that the bacteria are functioning correctly and all toxic waste ammonia is being removed.

Ammonia is excreted by the fish as a waste product, too much ammonia will cause major health problems for fish so test for it regularly.

Comprises 30 tests

NT Labs Hardness GH & KH Test Kit combined. GH measures general harness and KH known as total alkalinity measures the buffering capacity of water in your pond.

Comprises 80 tests
 

Nitrate is produced by the beneficial bacteria in the pond and filters as they break down the fish's toxic waste products (Ammonia and Nitrite). Nitrate is not toxic to pond fish.

This process forms the biological filtration system and is called the Nitrogen Cycle. Nitrate itself is relatively non-toxic, and will not cause troubles at low concentrations. However Nitrate can cause problems as the level rises.

Monitor the level of nitrate in your pond using a NT Labs Nitrate Test Kit on a regular basis. When the level becomes too high for your particular system perform a partial water change to lower the nitrate concentration.

Comprises 30 tests

Nitrite is produced by the beneficial bacteria in the pond and filters as they break down the harmful waste ammonia excreted by the fish. Nitrite can affect the health of fish but is now as toxic as ammonia.

As well as irritating the surfaces and gills of the fish the main factor leading to nitrite poisoning is the corruption of the structure of haemoglobin, the oxygen carrying agent of blood. Nitrite causes the addition of a methyl group to haemoglobin, forming methhaemoglobin which cannot carry oxygen, thus asphyxiating the fish. This disease, called meth-haemoglobinaemia can be recognised as the fishes blood turns from red to brown.

Check the nitrite concentration of your koi pond using a NT Labs Nitrite Test Kit. The nitrite level of the water should always be zero. (Unless just starting up)

The appearance of any colour in this test indicates a warning that the filter system is not working perfectly.

Comprises 40 tests

Oxygen is essential for the fish, plants and filter bacteria. The concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water can drop to dangerous levels causing hypoxia stress. This can leave them vulnerable to diseases and in extreme cases cause death. Ponds with consistently low levels of oxygen can frequently become stagnant and unable to support life.

The most accurate Oxygen Test Kit on the market.

There are many factors that can influence the amount of oxygen that water can hold. In a pond the most critical is the temperature of the water. The warmer the water, the less oxygen it can hold.

Ponds with an excessive build up of detritus and sludge in the filters and substrate can become very oxygen-poor as the breakdown of this waste uses up large amounts of oxygen. Ponds can become very low in oxygen in hot, humid, thundery weather as the air pressure is very low so the gas exchange capacity at the water surface is greatly reduced. Use a NT Labs Oxygen Test kit regularly to monitor the oxygen levels in your pond.

Comprises 25 tests

pH is the measure of the acidity or alkalinty of the water in your pond. Pond fish prefer the water to be between 7 and 8, fluctuations outside thses values can cause stress to the fish.

Comprises 40 tests

Pond Health Check tests three water parameters (pH, Ammonia, Nitrite), with full instructions to help diagnose and treat sickness in pond fish, optimum levels and suggestions for correction.

Comprising 130 tests

Multi-test kit provides over 200 tests of 6 water parameters (pH, GH, KH, Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia) with integral test tube rack for ease of use, full instructions, optimum levels and suggestions for correction.

Salt Testers allow accurate use of salt in a pond for treatment, for dipping fish as a cure or prevention of parasites.

Salt Testers allow accurate use of salt in a pond for treatment, for dipping fish or as a cure or prevention of parasites. Thermometer allows for temperature correction.