FAQ

While it is important to shake the indicated reagent bottles very vigorously, you should be gentler when shaking the test tubes during testing. Before shaking, make sure that the cap is closed tight.  Place a finger or thumb on top of the cap, to make sure it cannot come undone during use.  The goal of this shaking step is to mix the contents of the tube together and this can be accomplished by simply inverting the test tube, back and forth every 1-2 seconds, for the indicated amount of time.

Once the test has completed, it is important to rinse the test tube with water right away so that the contents don't stay in the test tube. This will make sure that the reagents don't cause anything to stick to the sides of the test tube, which could cause staining over time. Simply run the water, open the test tube gently (do not twist the cap), and allow the water to dilute and rinse the contents out of the test tube. Avoid getting the contents of the test tube on your skin. If you find that you have forgotten reagent within your test tube for a long period and the color is sticking to the tube, you are able to use a small bottle brush (and some API Safe & Easy cleaning spray) to gently wash the inside of the tube. Avoid the use of soap, as soap residue could be introduced back into the aquarium when filling the test tube at next use, which is something that could be harmful to your fish.

The kit includes three test solutions, easy-to-read instruction, test tubes, and a color chart.

The Starter Test Kit tests for ammonia and nitrite in freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

Testing for the presence of toxic nitrite is essential, so that if it is detected, steps can be taken to remove it. If left untreated, nitrite in the water will hinder normal fish respiration, eventually leading to fish death. Even small amounts or low levels of nitrite stress fish, suppressing their immune systems and increasing the likelihood of disease, which is why it's important to test for nitrite. You can remove nitrite from your tank by performing a partial water change.

Fish continually release ammonia directly into the water through their gills, urine, and solid waste. Uneaten food and other waste also add ammonia to the water. A natural way that your aquarium handles this ammonia is through the biological filter, or natural aquarium cycle. However, as with any natural processes, imbalances can occur. This is why it's important to regularly test for the presence of ammonia, which can spike unexpectedly in your aquarium. As soon as it is detected, ammonia should be removed, otherwise it will damage your fish's gill membranes and harm their respiration, which can eventually result in fish death. Even small amounts of ammonia stress fish, suppressing their immune systems and increasing the likelihood of disease outbreaks. You can remove ammonia from your tank by performing a partial water change, and by dosing with a solution specifically designed to treat ammonia.

AQUARIAN Pimacure can be used in both freshwater and saltwater tanks.

AQUARIAN Pimacure is a treatment for external fungal infections in fish, such cottony growth, mouth, body fungus, and reddening of fins and body.

AQUARIAN Pimacure is completely safe with invertebrates such as snails and shrimp and will not harm the biological filter or aquarium plants.

AQUARIAN Pimacure can be used safely with all other AQUARIAN fish products.

No, AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner will not harm your fish or plants.

Yes, you can use AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner with all other AQUARIAN products.

No, AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner does not affect the biological filter (natural aquarium cycle) or your water’s pH levels.

Yes, AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner is safe for all fish, invertebrates, and aquarium plants.

Yes, AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner is safe for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums, but is not recommended for use if you have a protein skimmer.

Yes, AQUARIAN Stress Barrier & water conditioner removes chlorine and neutralizes chloramines and heavy metals found in tap water.

AQUARIAN Aquarium Salt is intended to keep your fish healthy, and while it does promote disease recovery, it is not a holistic solution to heal and treat fish diseases. AQUARIAN Pimacure fish remedy helps combat fungal infections. This can be used with the added support of AQUARIAN Aquarium Salt.

AQUARIAN Aquarium Salt does not raise or lower the pH levels in your tank.

AQUARIAN Aquarium Salt will not affect the hardness levels of your water.

Yes, add 1 rounded tablespoon of AQUARIAN Aquarium Salt for every 5 gallons or ½ rounded teaspoon for every gallon of water. When doing a water change, add any treatments and supplements to the new water before adding salt to your aquarium.

AQUARIAN Betta Water is pre-conditioned and instantly safe for bettas.

AQUARIAN Betta Water is pre-conditioned and can be added directly into a Betta aquarium or bowl. Pour as much as needed to fill the aquarium or bowl during water changes or set up of a new aquarium.

Since 1964

Mars Fishcare, located in Chalfont, PA
 

Yes, AQUARIAN Aquarium Kick Start is safe for soft coral.

Yes, as long as the water has also been dechlorinated, you may add your fish to your aquarium immediately after dosing with AQUARIAN Aquarium Kick Start

AQUARIAN Instant Dechlorinator is a dechlorinator that works to eliminate harmful chlorine and chloramines from the tap water you add to your aquarium, making it a safe and livable environment for your fish.

AQUARIAN Aquarium Cleaner can be added while fish are in the tank.

AQUARIAN Ammonia Remover helps reduce fish stress associated with ammonia presence and promotes healthy gill function. It does not directly eliminate odors. Some smells can be produced from sludge in the aquarium. This can be reduced by using AQUARIAN Aquarium Cleaner

The reduction in ammonia will appear on an ammonia test kit once you use AQUARIAN Ammonia Remover

Yes, AQUARIAN Ammonia Remover is effective in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

AQUARIAN Ammonia Remover detoxifies ammonia, converting it into a non-toxic form. This non-toxic ammonia is then removed by the biological filter, or aquarium cycle, in the usual way. AQUARIAN Ammonia Remover is also a dechlorinator and will remove chlorine and chloramines from tap water.

AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix can be dosed again after 24 hours. However, further doses should not be added after this, as repeated doses will make cloudiness worse. AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix can be dosed once a week as a routine treatment to help keep water clear, but if cloudiness persists, you may want to perform a 25% water change.

AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix will help to clear the cloudiness caused by bacterial blooms but does not address the underlying cause. As a result, the cloudiness will come back quickly unless the main cause of bacterial blooms is treated. We would recommend using AQUARIAN Aquarium Kick Start to assist with returning the correct bacteria to balance your tank following use.

Yes, a low level of salt in the water, as is typically the case with freshwater aquariums, is not a problem with AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix. However, AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix does not act as a healing treatment for fish like aquarium salt. Its primary purpose is for aquarium cleanliness and clarity.

In water with a high mineral content, such as the water found in marine (or saltwater) aquariums, AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix will not clear cloudiness and could even make it worse. However, AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix will not cause any harm to fish or marine plants.

Yes, AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix is a safe product for both fish and plants.

AQUARIAN Cloudy Water Fix water clarifier clears green or cloudy water in freshwater aquariums by clumping small particles together into larger pieces, so they can settle to the bottom of your aquarium to be siphoned out, or easily removed by the filter.

AQUARIAN Melacure can be used safely with all other AQUARIAN fish products.

AQUARIAN Melacure is completely safe with invertebrates such as snails and shrimp and will not harm the biological filter or aquarium plants.

AQUARIAN Melacure is a treatment for external bacterial infections in fish, such as fin rot or open wounds.

Yes, it is normal to see some foaming when using AQUARIAN Melacure, and it is not harmful if the proper doses were given. In terms of duration, the foaming of this product can last a variable amount of time depending on what is dissolved in the water. Water that contains a lot of dissolved organics or proteins can experience more foaming that lasts for long periods of time, but in general, if foaming lasts more than a week after discontinuing the treatment, we recommend more frequent water changes and the addition of filtration media to eliminate any remaining medication. Make sure that skimmers are turned off during treatment, as this would contribute to excessive foaming. It may be prudent to turn the skimmer pump flow down when it is restarted after treatment, to account for fish remedy residues until they clear from the system.

AQUARIAN Melacure fish remedy heals bacterial infections such as fin & tail rot, eye cloud, pop eye, body slime, and mouth fungus. 

Many disease symptoms will be clearly visible, such as white streaks, lesions, protruding eyes, and other unusual marks or spots on your fish. If you suspect your fish has a disease, it will fall under the categories of fungal, parasitic, or bacterial. 

AQUARIAN Melacure will treat your fish’s symptoms in freshwater and saltwater aquariums.