How to TEST YOUR WATER! Complete step by step guide!

🇺🇸 You can now get NT Labs test kits in America! 🇺🇸

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

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 YouTube @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:

Read more about the NT labs test kit here:

#fish #aquarist #aquarium #aquascape #communityfish #fishkeeping #fishshopmatt #fishtank #tropicalfish

[FishShopMatt]

🇺🇸 You can now get NT Labs test kits in America! 🇺🇸

[eatmynoobfood]

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 👍✌️

[wickedmikes]

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.

[lpoolck]

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 👍

[stephenpearce]

Brilliant video once more Matt, keep em coming 😊

[vernajohnson]

Thank you! You make it easy to understand 💛

[MrSimonpug]

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. 👌

[royduk]

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

[littlecally]

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!

[tnvcxzd]

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 ❤

[cherylharless]

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

[janetaylor]

Ty that makes the test kit even easier to understand !

[craig]

Quality video

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

[MyNanoFish]

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 😊

[ionutkiss]

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

[gardengecko]

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!

[Spearse]

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.

[stevedenruyter]

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

[aquaracer]

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.

[gigi]

Thanks Matt, very informative. Take care, be well