Tips for Right pH In Your Aquarium

Tips for Right pH In Your Aquarium

Maintaining the right pH in an aquarium is vital for the health of its inmates. Any fluctuations in the pH can cost up to something as fearsome as claiming the life of your aquatic pets. The key evidently lies in maintaining the right pH level in the aquarium. The discussion below explores some important aspects of pH vis-�-vis aquarium and the tips for a right pH in your aquarium.

pH � Introduction. pH (power of Hydrogen) is a measure of the acidity or the alkalinity of a solution or a substance. A pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being the Neutral Point. The scale range of 0 to 7 signifies the Acidic nature of a solution, while that of 7-14 indicates its Alkalinity. When we are talking of pH then, Buffers have to come in the picture. Buffers refer to the substances present in a solution, which stabilize its pH level by altering the acidity or the alkalinity of the solution. It is difficult to change the pH of a Buffers equipped solution.

Normal pH Range of Aquarium Water. Fish mostly are hardy enough to survive a wide pH range, which usually is 5.5 to 8.5 for Freshwater Fish and 8.0 to 8.4 for Saltwater Fish. Therefore, while setting up a new aquarium, you should stabilize the pH of water according to the types of fish you are planning to keep in it.

Effects of Change in the pH of Aquarium Water. As mentioned above, fluctuations in the pH of water in an aquarium can be fatal to its inhabitants. A sudden pH change may stress up the fish and may make them vulnerable to illness, which may eventually lead to their death. A sudden drop in the pH may indicate a change in the other parameters of water such as, altered Ammonia & Nitrite levels and Trace Minerals deficiency.

Factors affecting the pH of Tank Water. The stability of pH is usually influenced by the factors such as, Buffers Present in the Water, Plant Growth, Feeding Rates, Tank Capacity, Organic Matter & Fish Waste, Water Hardness (due to Shells, Coral, or other Calcite material), Carbon Dioxide content in water, and stocking level in the tank, to name some.

Relation between Water Hardness and pH Level. Water is broadly classified as Hard and Soft Water depending upon its components, especially Calcium & Carbonates. More the quantity of Calcium in water, more Alkaline it is owing to the Buffer, and harder it is. Therefore, KH or the Carbonate Hardness of Water is directly related to the pH of water. More the Alkalinity of water, more stable its pH, as the Buffers present in it will neutralize any change in the Acidity or the Alkalinity of water.

Tips for the Right pH in Your Aquarium. There may be a requirement to raise or decrease the pH of water in order to stabilize it to at the desired level. We have segmented our discussion accordingly.

Increasing the pH. As mentioned above, Buffers present in the water, balance its pH. The water in an aquarium may however become Acidic (low pH) primarily due to an increase in Fish Waste. Here you will need to bring up the pH of tank water to the desired level. You may use the following methods to increase the pH:

Water Change. Regularly change the water of your tank. Initiate with the small volumes of water change, gradually elevating to the higher volumes over time.

Natural Buffers. Calcite substances increase the pH of water. You may therefore add Crushed Corals, Shells, Limestone, or slight Baking Soda, for the same. Add Baking Soda gradually, and if possible, substitute it with other safe options such as, Chemical Reactors, Dry Calcium Hydroxide, and Sea Buffers.

Carbon Dioxide Control. You may also increase the pH of water by lowering its Carbon Dioxide content by aerating it with Oxygen.

Eliminating Substrates. Remove things that may be lowering the pH of water, such as, a piece of Driftwood or Gravel in the aquarium.

Commercial Buffers. Some commercially available products may also be used to increase the pH of water.

Decreasing the pH. Too high pH is also something undesirable in an aquarium. The efforts here are required in the direction of lowering the pH. The following methods are quite handy for lowering tank pH:

Filtration. Lower the pH by filtering water through Peat Moss. This is the most effective way for decreasing the pH.

Carbon Dioxide Increase. Pump Carbon Dioxide into the aquarium water. The more the Carbon Dioxide in the water, the lesser will be its pH.

Adding Substrates. Addition of decorative items such as, Wood, Gravel, and Driftwood, help lower the pH.

Adding Acids. Gradually adding Acids such as, Acetic Acid or Vinegar as we call it, help lower the pH. These Acids break into Carbon Dioxide and Seawater in the aquarium. This increases the acidic content in the water and lowers its pH. This method though should be the last resort.