Sera Test Kits

Makes it easy to monitor the ammonium/ammonia level in fresh and marine water

Ammonium and ammonia mainly arise from fish waste. They are converted into each other depending on the pH value.
While ammonium is mostly harmless, ammonia is toxic to fish.

The sera NH₄/NH₃-Test allows monitoring the total concentration of both (the actual ammonia level can be calculated according to the pH value the using the included chart).

Ammonia is the natural waste product of fish metabolism and will accumulate in the aquarium to toxic levels, killing the fish. Fortunately, beneficial bacteria in the biofilter will break down the toxic ammonia. However, there are two forms of ammonia that occur in aquariums: un-ionized ammonia (NH₃), which is the toxic form, and ionized ammonium (NH₄⁺), which is essentially non-toxic.

The higher the pH and temperature, the more toxic ammonia becomes which is why it is really important to monitor cichlid and marine tanks closely. 

In case of acute danger, dose your aquarium with sera toxivec (freshwater).

Sufficient for approx. 60 measurements.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 02/2022!

Makes it easy to monitor the nitrate level in fresh and marine water.

Ammonia is the most significant dissolved waste in an aquarium. It is produced by fish wastes, rotting leftover food, and decomposing plant matter. The bacteria in your biofilter convert ammonia first into nitrite and then into nitrate. While ammonia and nitrite are highly toxic to fish, nitrate is much less so. However, as nitrate accumulates, fish will eventually be affected.

The level of nitrate cannot be detected directly, as it is invisible and odorless. An algae bloom usually indicates high nitrate levels, though algae is able to grow in newly set-up tanks with nitrate levels as low as 10 ppm

Many fish will not show any symptoms of nitrate poisoning until the level reaches 100 ppm or even higher, but studies have shown that long-term exposure to sub-critical concentrations of nitrate stresses fish, making them more susceptible to disease, interfering with the growth of young, and decreasing the likelihood of reproduction.

When nitrate levels rise to completely intolerable levels, fish will become lethargic and may have open sores or red blotches on their skin. It is common for fish kept at high levels to die suddenly, and often when a new fish is added to an aquarium in which the fish have gradually become accustomed to high nitrate concentrations, the new fish quickly dies from the shock.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 02/2022

Sufficient for approx. 60 measurements.

Calcium requirements tend to increase in most reef aquariums as they grow and mature. As a result, your old supplementation regimen may no longer be adequate. If regular testing is not performed to monitor calcium levels, it is very easy to allow levels to drop precipitously. In reef aquariums heavily stocked with corals and invertebrates, it is crucial that calcium levels be assessed every two weeks; or even better, once a week. Alkalinity should also be measured and monitored since there is relationship between calcium and alkalinity levels

If calcium levels get too high (over 500), there is a tendency for alkalinity to drop, affecting the buffering capacity of your aquarium water. Without adequate buffering, pH levels become susceptible to fluctuations. Conversely, if alkalinity gets too high, calcium levels will tend to fall as calcium precipitates out of solution in the form of insoluble calcium carbonate, also causing pH fluctuations. Ideally, calcium levels should be between 400 and 450 ppm, while the alkalinity should be between 2.5-3.5 meq/L (7-10 dKH).

It is important to monitor calcium and alkalinity levels weekly and supplement accordingly to keep them at proper levels. Low calcium levels negatively affect the growth, health and coloration of corals and what little growth that may occur result in thin, spindly branches lacking vivid coloration.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 06/2021

Makes it easy to monitor the pH value in fresh and marine water and ponds. For approx. 100 measurements. 

This single kit tests the pH range from 4.5 - 9 meaning you dont need to purchase a high and low range pH test kit! 

For monitoring magnesium levels in marine aquariums easily and safely. 

Marine:

Often overlooked, magnesium plays a critical role in chemical and biological processes in an aquarist's saltwater aquarium. The magnesium content in natural saltwater is only behind that of sodium and chloride, making it a major element as opposed to a trace element. Magnesium is essential to all organisms for biological functions, and is very important to organisms that are skeleton building such as LPS and SPS corals.

Before dosing anything, you need to know where you're starting, so test your aquarium's water. Magnesium levels in a reef aquarium should be between 1250 and 1350 ppm. Since each aquarium is different, it will use magnesium at its own rate.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 06/2021!

Copper (Cu) is very toxic especially for invertebrates such as shrimps and crustaceans, but fish also react very sensitively to elevated copper levels. There are many possible causes for copper enrichment, including medical or algae combating treatments.

The sera Cu-Test allows checking quickly whether fish or invertebrates are safe. sera aquatan provides help in case of elevated copper levels.

Sufficient for approx. 50 measurements.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 10/2021!

Iron (Fe) is an important component of plant nutrition. In case the plants have fading leaves this may be due to lacking iron.

The sera Fe-Test provides quick information about possible deficiencies. Directed fertilization with sera florena or sera florenette immediately counteracts the deficiency. Detection of chelatized (stabilized) iron is possible.

Freshwater Tank:

Iron (Fe) is important for the formation of leaf green (chlorophyll). If there is a lack of iron, the plants will show significant so-called iron chlorosis with a bright, pale leaf color and leaf veins staying visibly green, which is best seen in new growths. Iron is ideally added to a planted aquarium with an complete iron fertilizer. Together with other important trace elements such as manganese, boron and zinc, but also with nutrients such as potassium, the need for micro-nutrients and, at least in some parts, for macro=-nutrients is covered. The Fe content can be determined using Sera FE water test. This is partly due to the nutrient stabilization of the respective liquid fertilizer. 

If there is too little or too much iron in the aquarium water can be seen with the naked eye, though. A lack of iron leads to the symptoms mentioned above. An overdose often intensifies the growth of red algae, (black beard or staghorn algae). The Sera FE test kit should therefore definitely be part of the basic equipment for any less-experienced planted tank keeper or as a security reference for advanced aqua-scapers.

Marine Tank:

In many reef tanks, the only supplements added are calcium and a source of alkalinity (and all of the chemical impurities that come along with these additives and, of course, food). No others, it would seem, are mandatory for keeping many organisms. There is one other supplement, however, that has proven itself to be very useful in many reef tanks: iron. Specifically, it has proven itself to be useful in applications involving tanks with substantial growths of macroalgae.

The benefit of iron appears to be at least two-fold (and maybe three-fold). The main benefit is that at least some species of macroalgae grow faster, and appear a darker, more attractive green, when the tank is dosed with iron. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, this increased growth permits the macroalgae to be a better nutrient export system. A secondary benefit is that faster growing macroalgae may better compete with microalgae, which is often a source of frustration to reefkeepers. One more speculative benefit is that it may decrease the likelihood of caulerpa undergoing sexual reproduction, creating water quality problems.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 06/2021 
Sufficient for approx. 75 measurements.

Both fish waste and feeding are possible causes for phosphate introduction into the water. A part is taken up as a nutrient by plants, an excess, however, provides nutrition for unwanted algae.

The sera PO₄-Test quickly and easily provides an overview of current phosphate levels. 

To reduce phosphates try using Sera Phosvec.

Freshwater:

Phosphate (PO₄) is present in every aquarium, even though many aquarium owners aren’t aware that it is there. If the aquarium is not properly maintained, the phosphate levels will continually rise and contribute to algae growth. Testing for phosphate and learning about the sources of phosphate in your aquarium water will help you combat their effects.

Phosphate naturally increases as wastes are broken down within the aquarium. In addition to being internally produced, phosphate can enter the aquarium from external sources. Everything from fish food to the chemicals used to buffer the water to the tap water itself can contain significant amounts of phosphate.

When test results show levels of 1.0 ppm (mg/L) or higher, the conditions become favorable for algae growth. At 2 to 3 ppm, algae overgrowth is likely to occur. Ideal phosphate levels are 0.5 ppm or less.

Marine:

Sufficient for approx. 60 measurements.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 12/2021!

Makes it easy to monitor the silicate level in fresh and marine water.

Silicate (SiO₃) supports the growth of diatoms in marine and freshwater aquariums. The sera silicate-Test allows monitoring the silicate level reliably and easily.

Silicate levels above 1 mg/l (ppm) should be bound with sera marin silicate clear (fresh and marine water).

Makes it easy to monitor the nitrite level in fresh and marine water

Nitrite (NO₂) is among the most toxic substances for fish in aquariums. It can enrich in the water in case of insufficient biological filtration.

The sera NO₂-Test allows monitoring the nitrite level in fresh and marine water easily and reliably.

Sufficient for approx. 75 measurements.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 02/2022!

Makes it easy to monitor the total hardness

For approx. 420°dGH.

GH is the general hardness of the water. Humans can notice difference in water GH when they drink from the tap compared to filtered water. Tap water can be hard, which essentially means it is full of dissolved minerals. Soft water is at the other end of the spectrum and is devoid of minerals.

Fish species do have preference to hard or soft water. Generally most species will be tolerable to a range of hardness as long as it doesn't approach extremely soft or hard values. GH can be very important when attempting to breed fish or replicating natural habitats. Generally as a rule of thumb, the higher the pH the higher the GH. You will find that most fish species either prefer acidic and soft waters or alkaline and harder water.

For creating soft water we recommend adding sera blackwater aquatan or filtering through sera super peat.

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 02/2022!

Makes it easy to monitor the carbonate hardness in fresh and salt water

For approx. 390°dKH.

KH is one of the most overlooked and least understood elements of aquarium chemistry. KH plays a vital role in keeping your water parameters stable. Without it, your pH would bounce all over the place, stressing your fish and causing all kinds of problems.

KH is carbonate hardness and refers to how much carbonate is in the water. This becomes even more relevant when injecting CO2 into the aquarium. KH also provides a neat way to be able to estimate how much dissolved CO2 is in the aquarium at a point in time. Carbonate hardness also determines buffering capacity of the aquarium water.

A higher KH will also stop your pH slowly dropping over time.

Generally, as KH rises so does pH. But don’t let this scare you away from maintaining a healthy KH.

Having a stable pH that is a little high is much better than a pH that swings up and down all the time.

In saltwater tanks, KH serves a second purpose. Corals use carbonates to build their exoskeletons. If you are creating a reef tank, you’ll need to watch that KH!

Purchase with confidence knowing your test kit will last! Expiry 12/2021!