Measured pH value will indicate whether water quality is either acidic or alkaline. Tropical fish and aquatic plants have suitable pH rate so please talk to staffs at aquarium shop for achieving desired pH rate.
Table of contents
What is pH
pH is the symbol used to denote how strong the acid or alkaline water is. pH 7.0 is neutral so the water with pH less than 7.0 are acidic while the water with pH greater than 7.0 are alkaline.
Purpose and reason for measurement
As mentioned above, tropical fish and aquatic plants have their preferred pH rate they like to dwell in. Out of this range for them to live is not comfortable and may cause illness or if the condition is severe, it may lead to death.
Due to their preferences, it is better to check which pH rate your fish & aquatic plants desire and adjust water quality accordingly. This pH value is basically the reference index in order to have your preferred tropical fish and aquatic plants hence it is a good idea to have pH test kit at least.
What causes pH to change
Factors to make the water quality acidic
• Soil
• CO2 injector
• NO2 & NO3
Soil makes water quality towards acidic
Injecting carbon dioxide into the water brings water quality towards acidic
When nitrification occurs by bacteria breaking down ammonia into NO2 & NO3, these two elements will be built up in the aquarium over the time and thus leads to acidic water quality
Factors to make water quality alkaline
• Coral sand
• Aeration
Coral sand releases calcium carbonate and brings water quality towards alkaline.
Due to the aeration, level of carbon dioxide will decrease. Although pH rate will shift to neutral/alkaline due to the aeration, it will stop at about neutral range when balanced with outer atmosphere.
Water quality conditioner products
There are products to adjust pH rate to achieve your preferred range for example powder and liquid types. However, these conditioners are for temporary usage and not permanent solution so you will need to adjust pH rate when you clean your aquarium.
African cichlids
Most African cichlids prefer higher pH level from around 7.5 up to 8.5.
Depending on where your fish originate from, such as lake Malawi or Tanganyika, preferred range will slightly be changed whereas in general speaking, they prefer higher pH, in other word, they like to be in the alkaline water.
American cichlids
While african cichlids prefer alkaline water or higher pH level, american cichlids on the other hand likes to dwell in the lower pH level or acidic water.
As said above, the preferred pH level will totally dependant on which type of fish you are talking, however, generally american cichlids thrive in pH range of roughly 6.0 to 7.5.