| Test (DE/EN) | Already Ordered | To Be Purchased Separately | Importance | Recommended Value | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freies Chlor / Free Chlorine (DPD1) | Yes | - | High | 0-0.5 mg/L | Important for assessing disinfection performance. |
| Gesamtchlor / Total Chlorine (DPD3) | Yes | - | High | 0-0.5 mg/L | Important for overall assessment of chlorine levels. |
| pH-Wert / pH Level | Yes | - | High | 6.5-7.5 | Measures the acid/base level of the water. |
| Cyanursäure / Cyanuric Acid (CYA) | Yes | - | Medium | Control range | Stabilizes chlorine against UV degradation. |
| Alkalinität / Alkalinity (AlkalM) | Yes | - | High | 80-120 mg/L | Buffer capacity of the water, important for pH stability. |
| Ammonium / Ammonium | - | Yes | Very High | 0-1 mg/L | Ammonia from fish waste; toxic, should be minimized. |
| Chloramine / Chloramines | - | Yes | High | 0-0.2 mg/L | Harmful to fish, needs to be controlled. |
| Eisen LR / Iron LR (Low Range) | - | Yes | Medium | 0-0.3 mg/L | Iron levels, important for plant health. |
| Nitrat / Nitrate | - | Yes | High | 5-10 mg/L | Nitrogen source, important for plants. |
| Phosphat LR / Phosphate (Low Range) | - | Yes | Medium | 0-1 mg/L | Phosphorus source, to be controlled to prevent algae growth. |
| Kalium / Potassium | - | Yes | High | 5-10 mg/L | Important for plant growth. |
| Gesamthärte / Total Hardness | - | Yes | Medium | 120-180 mg/L | Water hardness, important for fish health. |
| Kalziumhärte / Calcium Hardness | - | Yes | High | 120-180 mg/L | Calcium content, important for both plants and fish. |
| Kupfer / Copper | - | Yes | Medium | 0-0.2 mg/L | Harmful in high concentrations, monitor copper levels. |
| Sulfat / Sulfate | - | Yes | Medium | 80-120 mg/L | Sulfur content, important for proteins. |
| Factor | Influence on pH | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Rising temperatures increase biological activity | Lowering |
| Biological Activity | Waste products can become acids through nitrification | Lowering |
| Plants | Absorption of CO2 during photosynthesis can change pH | Raising during photosynthesis; varies otherwise |
| Nitrification | Conversion of ammonia to nitrite and nitrate produces acids | Lowering |
| Water Changes | New water can adjust pH depending on its own pH | Raising or Lowering |
| Time and System Maturity | Accumulation of organic acids from waste and decomposition | Lowering |
| Alkalinity | Buffering capacity neutralizes acids, stabilizing pH | Stabilizing, potentially lowering as capacity is exhausted |
| Decomposition of Organic Matter | Releases acidic compounds into the system | Lowering |
| Aquaponic Media | Type of media can leach substances that affect pH | Raising if calcareous materials are used |
| Feed Type and Quantity | Influences waste production and subsequent nitrification | Indirectly lowering |
| Water Quality Parameter | Importance for Plants | Importance for Fish | High or Low Good? | Min-Max Range for Plants | Min-Max Range for Fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature (°C) | Critical for metabolic processes | Essential for health and metabolism | Optimal range preferred | 18–29°C | 18–29°C |
| pH | Affects nutrient solubility and uptake | Affects respiratory efficiency and health | Stable is good | 6.0–7.0 | 6.0–9.0 (varies by species) |
| Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) | Low levels prevent toxicity | High levels can be toxic | Low is good | < 1 mg/L | < 1 mg/L |
| Nitrite (NO2) | Low levels prevent toxicity | High levels can be toxic, affect oxygen transport | Low is good | < 1 mg/L | < 1 mg/L |
| Nitrate (NO3) | Primary nutrient, higher levels typically beneficial | High levels less toxic but should be controlled | High is good, but balanced | 5–150 mg/L | 5–150 mg/L |
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | Essential for root and bacterial health | Crucial for respiration | High is good | > 5 mg/L | > 5 mg/L |
| Source | Nutrients Provided | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Excretions | Ammonia (NH3), Nitrites (NO2), Nitrates (NO3) | Fish waste is converted by bacteria to forms usable by plants. |
| Fish Feed | Potassium (K), Phosphorus (P), Trace Elements | Nutrients in feed that are not fully digested are available to plants. |
| Bacterial Activity | Nitrates (NO3), Nitrites (NO2), other byproducts | Beneficial bacteria convert ammonia to nitrite and then nitrate. |
| Fresh Water | Various, depending on water source | Can occasionally introduce small amounts of nutrients or be used to adjust nutrient levels. |
| Supplementation | Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), etc. | Directly added to the system to supplement deficiencies that affect plant growth. |
https://www.aquagardening.com.au/aquaponics/water-quality-ph-control/ammonia-testing/
Note : Table needs to checked
To explore further: https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR680/