WaterCare

WaterCare is the broader of our two water pages, covering test kits and strips, conditioners, bacterial supplements and remedies such as API Melafix, alongside the Seachem range.

Test, then treat

The order matters. A test kit tells you what is actually wrong, whether that is ammonia, nitrite, nitrate or pH, and without those numbers any treatment is guesswork. Liquid kits generally read more precisely than strips, while strips are faster for a routine check. Once you have results the response follows: water changes and a conditioner for most problems, bacterial supplements while a tank is cycling, and remedies only for a diagnosed issue.

Test kits are usually bought with a conditioner and a gravel vacuum.

For dechlorinators and buffers specifically, go to Water Conditioners.

Helpful reading

• How to cycle a new aquarium
• Aquarium water changes: how much and how often