Aquarium Basics: Adjusting pH Levels A healthy aquarium is a delicate balance. Water chemistry such as hardness and pH play an important role in a thriving fish population. Most water problems are easily solved. A few simple adjustments can give you a stable pH environment for your finned friends. What Is pH And Its Importance? In order to talk about adjusting pH levels in an aquarium, we must first understand what it is and why it is important. In its simplest definition, a waters pH is the measure of its acidity on a scale of 1-14, with 7 being neutral. The lower the number the more acidic, the higher the number, the more alkaline it becomes. The pH of an aquarium is measured in tenths. For example, water with a pH of 6.8 would be slightly acidic. The type of fish you are housing will determine what you want your pH to be. The pH of your aquarium is affected by variables such as hardness of water, plant life in the tank, decaying organic matter and the number of fish in the space. The proper pH is an essential element to the health of your fish. Levels should be checked about every 2 weeks. Check once a week if you notice a trend of pH changes and immediately if you notice sick or dead fish in the tank. Do I Need to Increase or Decrease Aquarium pH? To determine the pH level of your aquarium you can purchase a test kit. This is a good starting point to understanding if a change in pH is necessary. Generally, fish in an established tank can tolerate a fairly wide range of pH levels, so if your fish are happy and healthy, it is best to just monitor the situation. If you begin to see a trend of rising or falling pH, you can take the next steps to resolve the problem.
