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How to Test an Algae Level

Algae are photosynthetic: they use the energy from the sun to create food. They also produce necessary oxygen for underwater animal life. High levels of algae in ponds or aquariums, however, can harm or even kill your fish. By using the following procedure, you can determine if the level of algae in water is too high.

Things You'll Need

methyl alcohol
5 ml test tube
60 ml syringe
filter holder
check valve
filter paper
Tygon plastic tubing w/ adapter

Instructions

Assemble the Filter
- 1
  Remove the cover of the filter holder. Place a piece of filter paper into the filter holder. Replace the cover.
- 2
  Insert the check valve, tab end first, into the tip of the syringe.
- 3
  Thread the opposite end of the check valve into the filter holder.
- 4
  Attach plastic tubing to the side arm of the valve and depress the plunger to the 0 position. Place the free end of the tubing into the water that you wish to sample.
Checking Algae Level
- 5
  Draw water into the syringe by pulling back on the plunger. Fill the syringe with the water sample to the 50 ml mark. Hold for a moment, then expel the water back out through the syringe and through the filter paper in the filter holder.
- 6
  Repeat step 1 four times.
- 7
  Put the filter into the test tube and fill to 5 ml with methyl alcohol. Cap and shake for 2 minutes. The filter disc will disintegrate.
- 8
  Put a new filter into the holder and attach it directly to the syringe. Remove the plunger and pour the sample into the syringe. Replace the plunger and depress it to filter the sample through the paper.
- 9
  If the paper is clear yellow to green, an unacceptable level of algae is present.

Nature