| It is said that the stability of a new freshwater | | | | One way to maintain the buffer system is to |
| aquarium is measured by how an owner has a | | | | measure what is called carbonate hardness or KH. |
| good eye for the aquariums pH level. This is | | | | the existance of calcium carbonates in the water |
| crucial in fish-keeping as its effect can be great or | | | | are determined this way. Ideally, a good reading |
| devastating to the aquarium as an ecosystem. Of | | | | for higher pH levels, for your tanks KH would be |
| course, we love success that is measured with | | | | between 100-200 mg/L while for regular |
| good results. While it is true that this part of the | | | | aquariums a reading between 75-100 mg/L is |
| hobby is a frustration among many new people, | | | | enough. |
| the principle behind knowing, understanding and | | | | Usually, tap water already has a high pH level. To |
| maintaining a proper pH level is actually very | | | | raise pH levels, alkaline additives can be used to |
| simple. Adjusting the pH level is a common | | | | raise the buffering capacity of the water. Crushed |
| problem that is easy to learn and to apply with | | | | coral is also considered a buffering substrate. It is |
| your fish tank. What then is the pH level and | | | | important to be alert in monitoring its effect |
| what factors affect its changes? | | | | because at times, coral can really make rapid |
| The acid level of the aquarium water should be | | | | changes in the tanks water acid quality. It is also |
| maintained at a balanced level that is within the | | | | good to know that lowering the pH level is more |
| tolerance of the fish and always stable: not too | | | | complex than raising it, because this involves the |
| low and not too high, or else your fish will become | | | | removal of buffering ions like salts and minerals |
| sick from the toxins in the water and possibly die. | | | | present in tap water. |
| Fish are accustomed to a certain water acid level | | | | Controlling and adjusting the pH level is a rather |
| that is prevalent in the lakes, rivers and seas | | | | meticulous task of this hobby. It pays to know |
| where their species came from. | | | | and understand the nature of water when it |
| Most fish species are comfortable with pH levels | | | | comes to water acidity because this is crucial in |
| of 6.2, 6.6, 7.0 or 7.4. Many believe that the ideal | | | | the life of your fish. You would not like to see |
| pH level is 7, however this is not the bottom-line | | | | your old fish one day floating lifeless in your |
| in monitoring your aquariums water acidity. A | | | | aquarium just because they were deprived of a |
| danger to the aquarium is when you cannot | | | | constant pH level, which as you can now see is |
| maintain a constact pH level within the tank. | | | | simple and relatively easy to maintain. Once you |
| Drastic fluctuations should be prevented. This | | | | get pass this part, maintenance will become much |
| means that a fish can survive better with a | | | | easier and maybe fun, and will be less frustrating. |
| constant level of 6.2, instead of with changing | | | | Patience and keen attention to detail is required in |
| levels between 6.2 and 7. It is good that there | | | | fish-keeping. |
| are instruments available like the pH level test kit | | | | Maintenance procedures such as partial water |
| that measures the pH level. It helps to monitor | | | | change and cleaning-up of your tanks filter and |
| the levels when one performs the necessary | | | | substrate, through scrubbing, vacuuming and |
| change of water, whether it is done daily, weekly | | | | siphoning are good ways to replenish the fish |
| or monthly. In this case, make sure that the fresh | | | | tanks buffer systems. You should also be aware |
| water you put in the tank, has the same pH level | | | | of the dangerous phosphates in the water and |
| as with the previous water that you threw out, | | | | the accumulated debris or dirt that sinks into the |
| or at least is close to it. | | | | gravel beds of the tank and into the buffering |
| In connection with testing the pH level, one should | | | | materials at the bottom of the aquarium. |
| also test the water for total hardness. The rapid | | | | For testing your aquariums pH level, dH level and |
| pH change from respiration of fish and breakdown | | | | phosphate level, you can get yourself some test |
| of excess organic wastes like food, are dealt with | | | | kits that will help maintain your tanks water |
| by a defence mechanism in water that is a | | | | consistancy. Remember that you are striving for |
| normal buffering system. Total hardness or dH is | | | | a stable pH level that is ideal for the fish and may |
| the measurement of this part of the waters | | | | not guarentee that your fish will thrive, but will |
| natural buffering system. An ideal dH reading is | | | | certainly keep your fish out of trouble with water |
| considered to be at the minimum of 6 dH. A | | | | acid levels becoming too high. Use the test kits |
| reading lower than this means there is not enough | | | | with the instruction booklet that is included and |
| buffering capacity and that may affect the | | | | the charts in the booklet to reach a safe pH level |
| stability of the pH level. Of course, to get some | | | | for your tank and you will need to be able to |
| stability, it is better to achieve a higher dH | | | | maintain that level daily. |
| between 6-12 dH. Collectively, minerals dissolved in | | | | Just like anything new, it will take a little practice |
| the aquarium contribute to the tank waters total | | | | and you will make minor mistakes but that is |
| hardness and thus, also function as part of the | | | | okay as long as you basically get it right within |
| buffer system. | | | | your first few weeks. |