How to measure freshwater ammonia in an aquarium with Hanna Checkers

Accurately measuring the ammonia levels in freshwater aquariums is vital for the health of your fish and tank. The HI-715 Medium Range Ammonia Checker is specifically designed to determine ammonia levels within fish tanks and provide accurate, digital results. Read on to learn how to measure ammonia in your freshwater tank with a Checker.

Steps for measuring ammonia with a Hanna Checker

The HI-715 is designed to be easy to use and practical for daily and weekly aquarium measurements, providing the key information to maintain the correct water quality in your tank for fish and plant life.

Here’s how to measure with a Checker using the included reagents in four easy steps:

1. Press the button to turn the meter on, fill your vial with a sample of aquarium water and place it in the Checker
2. Press the button to ‘Zero’ the Checker then remove the vial
3. Add 4x drops of reagent A to the vial, swirl to mix and repeat with reagent B, then re-insert the vial for measurement
4. Press and hold the button to start the timer and wait for your results in mg/L (ppm) of ammonia nitrogen

Checkers make measuring ammonia a fast and easy process with minimal steps, and no guesswork required. To convert your reading to ppm of ammonia, all you need to do is multiply the reading by 1.214.

Why measure ammonia in fish tanks?

Ammonia is produced in fish tanks through natural processes, such as excretion of waste through the faeces, urine and gills of fish. The organic decomposition of organic matter, including plants and food, can also contribute to the build-up of ammonia in your freshwater aquarium. 

While ammonia does increase naturally over time, measuring and reducing this parameter is important for the health of your tank. Higher levels of ammonia can lead to burns on the skin and scales of fish, while also reducing the effectiveness of oxygen filtering through the gills. Ammonia also leads to algae growth in aquariums, which can cause swings in pH that can also be harmful to fish.

Measuring ammonia in your tank regularly with a handheld Checker is an ideal way to prevent problems before they occur. By understanding your water chemistry, you can make swift changes to protect your fish and keep your tank in the best possible condition.

Why use a digital tester for fish tanks?

Digital testers like Checkers are an ideal way to ensure accurate, clear results when measuring vital parameters like ammonia. Fishkeepers may choose test strips vs digital testing as an affordable option. However, test strips rely on personal perception, which could potentially lead to your aquarium being under or overdosed. 

With no guesswork required for results, Checkers provide peace of mind that your results are accurate, preventing costly problems when balancing your fish tank water. Checkers save time on testing and provide the security needed to precisely measure and dose your fish tank with the right amount of chemicals, which is particularly important for costly planted aquariums or tanks with rare or expensive fish species.

Buy Hanna Checkers today

Hanna’s digital Checkers for freshwater and marine aquariums are available online with free next-day delivery. Our range of electronic tank testers includes all of the most common and important parameters for aquariums, including ammonia, nitrate, alkalinity and chlorine.

Shop the range online today.