In keeping a fish tank, many hobbyists fail to attend to a few other things not visible to the eyes of observers or to the fish keeper or aquarist himself. There are many elements to consider in setting up and maintaining a fish tank or an aquarium and all these must not be taken for granted since every aspect may affect the entire condition of you fish tank.
One of the most common things often forgotten is the pH level of water in fish tanks. You may say, “pH level, what’s the big deal?”. Big deal is maintaining a stable or consistent pH level of water helps keep plants and fish healthier, longer. So if you’d want to make a great living environment inside your fish tank, you’d probably consider taking a second look at what pH is all about and just how important it is to marine life.
Let me start by telling you what pH really is. If you’ve taken Chemistry class back in school, you’ll remember that pH is determined by the amount of Hydrogen and Hydroxide ions in water. If you still don’t understand, I’ll assume you cut Chemistry class or you were sleeping through the lecture. Let me break it down to you a bit more. We all know that water is composed of Oxygen and Hydrogen (hence, the formula H2O). Now, water contains Hydrogen and Hydroxide ions. Its normal pH level is 7.0 which means it is in a neutral state. When Hydrogen ions increase, water becomes acidic and goes to a lower pH level. When Hydroxide ions increase, it becomes alkaline and goes to a higher pH level.
Now, what does this have to do with fishes you ask? Fishes live and breathe under water. Imagine yourself having to live in a highly acidic environment. Of course, that would be hazardous. There is no such thing as normal pH level for fishes since they come from different forms of water like ponds, streams, rivers, etc. all with different pH levels. It is ideal to keep pH level close to neutral. Always make it a goal, though, to keep a consistent level of pH in your tank. Remember that pH is not static and changes over time even through the course of a day. It typically rises at day and drops during the night. It changes when new fishes are added and when others are removed, when water is changed and when other biological occurrences arise.
You might not know or see just how important pH level is in your fish tank. Of course it does nothing visible to the naked eye, however its effects on the plants and fishes in your aquarium are great. High pH levels make chemicals in water toxic and may cause harm and even death among fishes. Changes in pH levels are specifically difficult for young and sick fishes. Drastic changes in levels are harmful to the health of even the healthiest fish in your aquarium. Make sure to monitor pH levels in your tank as often as possible. Studies have also shown that a number of fish species only breed at specific pH levels. When this level is not met, there is a very low chance of reproduction among your fishes.
Froilan Ong and his partner Jason Ryan is the owner of Freshwater aquarium center. Jason Ryan is an aquarium enthusiast and loves to collect freshwater fish. For more detail information on how to have the right Freshwater Aquarium pH, visit http://www.freshwateraquariumcenter.com.
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