An aquatic environment water parameter testing system and related methods and chemical indicator elements. The aquatic environment water parameter testing system includes an electronics portion having an optical reader element and a sample chamber portion having a chemical indicator element which may be removably connected. A chemical indicator element may include an information storage and communication element used, in part, to provide identification of a chemical indicator of the chemical indicator element. Conductivity and/or temperature may be utilized to calibrate readings by the optical reader element. A chemical indicator element may also include a thin film material having particular optical characteristics tied to the light from a light source, such as a light source of an optical reader element.
