| The pH level of your freshwater aquarium seems to | | | | quite acceptable. Most types of common tropical fish |
| be quite an issue for beginning aquarists. It's a little | | | | can breed in this pH value. This is true for most |
| hard to understand where exactly the pH level should | | | | types of tropical fish. For harder to keep breeds, like |
| be, and if and when it should be adjusted. | | | | discus or cichlids, you may have to adjust the pH |
| For this you'll need a freshwater aquarium pH test kit. | | | | level. |
| But be sure to read this whole article to start to | | | | Changing the pH levels suddenly will only result in |
| understand what you need to do about the pH | | | | more stress for your fish -- something that fish DO |
| reading for your tank. You should not always make | | | | NOT LIKE! Even if the level stays within the |
| adjustments. | | | | recommended range, your fish may not like changes. |
| The water pH level is based on whether it is acid or | | | | Another thing to know is that often a chemical that |
| alkaline or neutral. It's basic chemistry, and you | | | | adjusts the pH level will change that level for a few |
| probably learned this in school. Neutral is 7.0 pH value. | | | | hours or a few days, but that level will revert back |
| Alkaline is higher and acidity is lower on the scale. | | | | to what it was. And we know that's frustrating for |
| The confusing thing is, for aquarium keepers, tropical | | | | the aquarium keeper, and for the fish! |
| fish, in nature, can be found in waters that naturally | | | | So, the best thing to do may be nothing. If your pH |
| range from 5.0 pH (tetras)to pH 9 (cichlids). So what | | | | reads between 6.5 and 8.0, you may not want to |
| should be the pH of your freshwater tank? | | | | adjust it. But--keep up on checking the pH value. If it |
| Don't think that your aquarium has to have an | | | | stays near its' original level, you're probably okay. If |
| optimum pH level. The pH of your water does not | | | | your pH value falls, your water quality may not be so |
| need to be 7.0. More often than not, trying to get it | | | | good. If your pH level rises, you may have some |
| and keep it at this pH level will only cause more | | | | dissolving solids in your water. |
| problems. | | | | Checking the pH will give you an indicator of what's |
| The biggest consideration for aquarists is: what is the | | | | going on in your aquarium. That'll only keep you as a |
| pH of your water? Whatever your water source is, | | | | hobbyist happy, and your fish will stay happy and |
| whether it's tap water or bottled water. That will | | | | healthier, too. Just keeping an eye on your pH will be |
| become the optimum pH value for your tank. | | | | like a barometer telling whether this environment is |
| Water that has a pH level between 6.5 and 8.0 is all | | | | working for your aquarium. |