| Weekly water testing should make water quality | | | | cleaning is most likely in order. Pay particular |
| problems evident before an Arowana's health is at | | | | attention to vacuuming any tank substrate |
| risk. This is one of the benefits of a proactive | | | | present. Reduce feeding to eliminate excess food |
| approach when it comes to managing water | | | | waste and consider replacing dirty filter media. |
| quality. It is much safer and simpler to correct | | | | Avoid disrupting biological filtration by staggering |
| problems before a disaster develops. Swift, but | | | | the cleaning procedures. |
| conservative action can then remedy the | | | | 4. Incorrect or Fluctuating pH |
| situation. | | | | For the benefit of your Arowana, only attempt |
| If your Arowana is visibly stressed due to | | | | pH adjustments when absolutely necessary. It is a |
| unhealthy water conditions, it is still important to | | | | tricky undertaking for several reasons, and even |
| act conservatively when taking corrective | | | | minor adjustments stress fish. Only do so if your |
| measures. Arowanas do not tolerate drastic | | | | Arowana seems stressed under otherwise |
| changes to their environment, regardless of | | | | optimum water quality conditions. Never attempt |
| intentions. Hasty efforts to improve water quality | | | | to alter pH by more than .3 within 24 hours. |
| could inadvertently harm your fish. Take a calm, | | | | "Pure" water has a neutral pH by nature (7.0). The |
| planned approach that addresses one problem at | | | | presence of chemicals makes it more acidic or |
| a time instead. When one condition is improved, | | | | alkaline. Acids lower pH while bases raise it. |
| others may naturally be eliminated. | | | | Buffers are substances which stabilize pH, causing |
| The best sequential order for addressing water | | | | it to hold steady. In order for pH to be lowered |
| quality issues if more than one component is | | | | or raised, buffers must be neutralized or |
| compromised is: | | | | removed. |
| 1. Ammonia | | | | Danger arises when buffers are overcome with |
| 2. Nitrite | | | | chemicals. Once buffers are neutralized, pH quickly |
| 3. Nitrate | | | | bounces up or down. The drastic pH changes that |
| 4. pH | | | | result can be deadly to Arowanas. Biological |
| Adjustments to temperature can be made | | | | filtration is also compromised. Should you |
| concurrently with any of the above steps, but | | | | successfully arrive at a satisfactory pH, chemical |
| avoid changes of more than one or two degrees | | | | adjustment will again be necessary at each and |
| per 24 hours. | | | | every water change. |
| 1. Ammonia: | | | | If you must adjust your pH or it tends to |
| Ammonia is highly toxic and must be removed | | | | fluctuate, consider the best method for keeping it |
| from the tank. It is even more toxic if pH is | | | | steady. It may be possible to remove buffering |
| alkaline, when a more aggressive approach is in | | | | ions with a Tap Water Purifier to achieve a lower |
| order. If pH is fairly neutral, take the following | | | | pH long-term. Crushed coral may also help water |
| corrective measures:o Aerate the tank as much | | | | hold an appropriate pH. If at all possible, seek |
| as possibleo Stop feeding temporarilyo 30% | | | | professional advice before attempting to affect |
| water change day 1; 10 - 15% daily until ammonia | | | | pH. Arowanas can and do adjust to less than ideal |
| tests below 1ppmo Add zeolite to filtration | | | | pH levels. They cannot tolerate pH shock or |
| systemso If fish are visibly stressed or ammonia | | | | frequent fluctuations. |
| readings are extreme, add ammonia neutralizer to | | | | Preventing Water Quality Deterioration |
| reduce toxicity immediately. Chemical ammonia | | | | Regardless of the situation, you must determine |
| neutralizers may interfere with test results and | | | | the cause of a water quality issue in order to |
| should only be used in severe circumstances. | | | | prevent its recurrence. Ajust the tank population |
| Begin to adjust pH to reduce ammonia toxicity | | | | and feeding schedule if water quality problems |
| only as a last resort, and preferably only if you | | | | persist. Excessive debris and waste can severely |
| are experienced at doing so. If pH is mildly alkaline, | | | | jeopardize water quality. Adequate filtration and a |
| change up to 25% of tank water day two, and | | | | sound tank maintenance regimen prevent water |
| 15% thereafter. | | | | quality deterioration under normal circumstances. |
| 2. Nitrite | | | | The basis of your Arowana tank maintenance |
| Nitrite is also highly toxic to Arowanas and is | | | | plan should be a 10-15% partial water change |
| eliminated the same way as ammonia. An | | | | performed 1 to 2 times per week. All filters |
| increase in aeration, feeding reduction, and | | | | should be inspected weekly and cleaned as |
| aggressive water changes should reduce or | | | | needed. Pay particular attention to mechanical |
| eliminate nitrite. | | | | filtration media, and inspect aeration hoses and |
| 3. Nitrate | | | | other filter components weekly. Remove mineral |
| Although the presence of nitrate is usually not | | | | deposits and other debris that can compromise |
| harmful to Arowanas, it is a strong indication of | | | | performance. If your tank contains substrate, |
| water quality problems. Since waste is generally | | | | avoid vacuuming in conjunction with filter media |
| responsible for nitrate buildup, a thorough tank | | | | replacement to preserve biological filtration. |