Hanna Checkers are an ideal method to accurately measure the key parameters within your freshwater fish tank, whether you have a long-established aquarium or you are a beginner looking to choose the right testing options for your new tank.
The Checker digital tester range encompasses all of the most vital freshwater parameters, from ammonia to alkalinity. Here are eight of the options you may want to consider for your fish tank:
What is a Checker?
A Checker is a colourimeter, a unique electronic tester that reads the reaction between fish tank water and reagent to provide an accurate measurement of a single, specific parameter. Unlike test strips,
Hanna’s aquarium testers provide an accurate, clear number to allow you to effectively manage your tank water, without the guesswork of matching up colours using your own personal perception.
The 8 best Hanna Checkers for your freshwater aquarium
Here are eight of the most popular Checkers in Hanna’s range to consider for your freshwater aquarium:
1. HI-715 Ammonia Medium Range Checker
Measuring the ammonia level in your freshwater tank with a tester like the HI-715 Checker helps you to identify if your filter is working correctly. As a natural waste product of fish, ammonia must be cleaned from the water to avoid build-up to toxic levels that can become dangerous to your aquarium life over time. Checking ammonia regularly ensures your filtration system is meeting demand.
Ammonia can also be found in tap water in a form called chloramine. If you use a dechlorinator on tap water, ammonia may be left behind, which can lead to ammonia poisoning if that water is introduced to your tank. Checking your tap water for ammonia before you use it can ensure all chemicals are neutralised, protecting your fish and their habitat.
2. HI-713 Low Range Phosphate Checker
Phosphate is an essential measurement for freshwater aquariums. As the natural result of waste breaking down in the water, from excrement to decayed plants, phosphate can lead to larger algae blooms. The bigger the blooms, the less oxygen is available in the tank, leading to poor environmental conditions and the potential suffocation of fish.
The HI-713 is an ideal middle ground between more advanced professional instrumentation and less-accurate chemical test kits, offering a simple-to-use option for swift, reliable readings. By carefully monitoring phosphates in the water, you can swiftly take action to reduce algae bloom and restore balance.
3. HI-701 Free Chlorine Handheld Checker
Chlorine is commonly found in drinking water as a disinfectant. While humans can tolerate a low chlorine level, the same doesn't apply to the fish or plants in your freshwater aquarium. A slight increase in chlorine can cause chlorine toxicity, which is harmful and potentially deadly to your fish if you cannot react quickly.
Using a free chlorine tester, such as the HI-701 Checker, provides instant insight into the amount of chlorine in the water. This measurement is invaluable for tap water used in water changes, as it can allow you to use the correct dechlorination method to neutralise chlorine before it is introduced to your tank.
4. HI-775 Freshwater Alkalinity Checker
While some freshwater fish may prefer acidic water, others prefer higher alkalinity, making it important to monitor freshwater alkalinity to identify whether your aquarium water suits the needs of your specific species. By buffering the water against the effects of acids produced by excrement and other environmental changes, alkalinity provides consistency and balance, preventing significant swings in pH for your aquarium water.
Using the HI-775 electronic tester regularly can help to keep water alkalinity in check by providing clarity with digital results, allowing you to make any necessary changes to avoid significant pH differences.
5. HI-770 Silica High Range Handheld Checker
The HI-770 Checker makes testing for silica molecules within your aquarium water a straightforward task. Silica is integral for many plants and animals. Diatoms – a form of microalgae – extract silica from the water as a part of their natural cycle of CO2 consumption and oxygen release.
Measuring silica with a digital tester is a valuable way to understand whether your aquarium has the correct levels. Too high, and you may need to reduce silicate to avoid a brown, dust-like coating in your tank. Too low, and diatoms may not have the necessary resources to release valuable oxygen into the water.
6. HI-746 Low Range Iron Handheld Checker
In planted tanks, iron is a vital component in chlorophyll production, allowing plants to create energy through light absorption. While iron supplements aren't always necessary, keeping iron levels in your tank between 0.5-1.0 ppm can be beneficial. The HI-746 allows you to accurately take digital readings of your aquarium water to maintain optimal plant health.
Beyond providing plants with the resources they need, too much iron can cause issues for life in your aquarium. Iron toxicity in plants can lead to stunted growth. Tap water may also contain iron, due to natural causes and use by treatment plants to remove impurities.
7. HI-718 Iodine Handheld Checker
Iodine testers are more frequently used within complex marine reef tanks, but a digital iodine Checker like the HI-718 is also useful in freshwater environments. Tanks containing invertebrates, in particular, can benefit from maintaining certain low levels of iodine in the water, providing aquarium inhabitants with the optimal environment for healthy growth.
For freshwater tanks, iodine is usually provided in the amounts needed through the food you feed your fish. However, it's still a good idea to consistently test your aquarium water for a wide range of potential chemicals to ensure no changes need to be made. Anything beyond low levels of iodine could be toxic to your fish.
8. HI-747 Copper Low Range Handheld Checker
Copper is an effective way to control algae and fish parasites within freshwater aquariums. When dosing with copper, it is crucial to stay within a safe concentration level to provide the most benefit without causing harm to your fish. Too much copper can damage gills and depress the immune system, while too little can lead to parasite treatments in diseased fish not working effectively.
Monitoring copper with a digital aquarium tester like the HI-747 Checker ensures you maximise treatment while reducing the risk of potential health problems. Tap water that passes through copper piping may also have a concentration of copper, making it important to test before water changes for your freshwater aquarium.
Buy Checkers at Hanna Instruments UK
Our range of digital testers for freshwater aquariums is available to buy online now for next-day delivery.
Shop the full Hanna Checkers range here, for the digital measurement of all key parameters in both freshwater and marine fish tanks.
