| The pH level defines the acidity or base degree or | | | | range, can also be stressful and damaging to the |
| water. The more hydrogen ions present, the more | | | | health of freshwater aquarium fish. For example., |
| acidic the water is, the lower the pH, and vice versa. | | | | nitrifying bacteria which is essential in the conversion |
| A neutral pH carries with it a value of seven. Most | | | | of ammonia to nitrate also has a range preference, |
| freshwater aquarium fish survive within a range of 5.5 | | | | which is between 7.5 and 8.6. Variations in pH levels |
| to 7.5. An apparently small change in pH levels can | | | | can also have an effect on some disease treatments |
| affect your freshwater aquarium fish sometimes | | | | you might make use of. Instead of having positive |
| causing stress or even death. | | | | outcomes, negative results may be the effect. The |
| There are a number of varied consequences that | | | | substance chloramine-T is more toxic at low pH levels |
| freshwater aquarium fish can be exposed to. The pH | | | | while potassium permanganate is more dangerous at |
| level of a water tank affects the breathing ability of | | | | higher ones. Waste products which happen to be |
| these freshwater aquarium fish. High acidity or | | | | excessive can produce carbonic acid, which acidifies |
| alkalinity levels can cause direct physical damage to | | | | the water therefore lowering the pH level. |
| their skin, gills, and eyes. Also, a prolonged exposure | | | | It is essential that you monitor the levels of pHof |
| to sub-lethal pH levels can cause stress for the | | | | your tank to ensure the safety of your freshwater |
| species. It will lead to an increase in their mucus | | | | aquarium fish. Monitoring the pH levels in an |
| production and can also encourage epithelial | | | | established aquarium can help indicate possible water |
| hyperplasia or the thickening of the skin or gill | | | | condition changes and the need for clean-up. While |
| epithelia which involves near-fatal to fatal | | | | you select freshwater aquarium fish, make sure that |
| consequences for your freshwater aquarium fish. | | | | they are compatible with the level of pH of the |
| Freshwater aquarium fish can also be affected by | | | | water you used to fill up the aquarium. This is |
| other causes even if indirect. Changes in pH levels | | | | probably the best method of selection and it can also |
| can affect the toxicity of many dissolved compounds | | | | help to avoid the need to change the pH. There are |
| in the tank itself. As an example, ammonia becomes | | | | a number of freshwater aquarium fish that can |
| more toxic due to higher pH levels. It is a common | | | | survive under a limited pH range. However, breeding |
| fact that ammonia is deadly to both freshwater and | | | | may become more difficult in this situation; most of |
| saltwater fish. On the other hand, fluctuations in | | | | the time even impossible. |
| these levels even if they lie within the preferred | | | | |