| 1. pH Control - pH stands for hydrogen potenz. It is | | | | 4. Detoxifying the aquariums - Dead aquatic |
| actually the concentration of hydrogen ions present in | | | | organisms, byproducts of metabolic activities in the |
| your aquarium tank, and as you know, hydrogen ion | | | | fish and other aquarium residents and the excretion |
| concentration refers to acidity of the water in the | | | | products of your fish will definitely introduce some |
| tank. As fishes live in the water, performing all their | | | | toxic products in your aquarium tank. Some toxic |
| biological activities, the pH value is bound to change. | | | | materials can also enter from the external |
| The best way to ensure that the pH values remain | | | | environment, such as when things drop into your |
| conducive for the health of your fish is to change the | | | | tank or when some microorganisms enter through |
| water often. | | | | the air. They could play havoc with the health of |
| 2. Kh control - For the scientifically inclined people, Kh | | | | your delicate fish. You cannot effectively monitor |
| is the hydrolysis constant. Simply speaking, it is ability | | | | such toxic intrusions. The best way is to change |
| of water to buffer, which means, maintain a particular | | | | water. |
| optimum level of the acids and bases in it. Changes | | | | 5. Cleaning aquarium accessories - If you have live |
| occur in the fish tank over time due to the inclusion | | | | elements in your aquarium tank such as live sand, live |
| of chemicals produced from biological activity. That is | | | | rock, sponges, bio balls, etc. it is best to provide |
| one reason why the water has to be periodically | | | | them with clean water of aquarium standard to filter |
| changed. | | | | out the wastes that they produce from time to time. |
| 3. Controlling nitrate levels - Ideally speaking, a | | | | 6. Controlling algal growth - Algae are microscopic |
| saltwater aquarium must have a nitrate concentration | | | | plants that grow in all types of aquatic environment. |
| of at the most 20 parts per million and a freshwater | | | | They grow faster in aquariums because the water |
| aquarium must have at the most 50 parts per million. | | | | there is stagnant and favorable for their growth. |
| Fish excretion is in the form of ammonia, which | | | | However, algae can pollute the water in the closed |
| increases the nitrate level of the tank. There are | | | | environment to drastic levels, which could also mean |
| protein skimmers available that can help to keep the | | | | health problems to your fish. Not only that, algae will |
| nitrate levels to optimal levels within the tank. But | | | | compete with the fish with the resources available in |
| these skimmers will not be able to remove the | | | | your aquarium. If you change the water from your |
| organic debris that collects in the tank from time to | | | | aquarium regularly, you are also removing the algae |
| time. That is the reason why complete water | | | | that have grown in them. Hence, water changes in |
| changes become necessary. In fact, aquarium sellers | | | | your aquarium are a very important aspect of |
| do stress upon nitrate level maintenance as the most | | | | aquarium cleaning. They ensure that your fish live |
| important reason for making periodical water changes. | | | | longer and healthier in the home you provide them. |