How to Make My Aquarium Water More Alkaline

Maintaining a proper pH for aquarium fish is important for their survival. Many fish thrive in a more alkaline (meaning having a higher pH) type of water. The alkalinity of the water is also referred to as water hardness. In most cases, regular tap water is not suitable for fish to survive. To achieve more alkaline water, various mineral and chemical supplements are added to normal tap water. It is common to also have the opposite problem, where the water is too alkaline.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Large bucket (1 gallon or larger)
  • Gallon measuring jug
  • 1 tsp. measuring spoon
  • Tap water
  • Baking soda
  • Calcitic gravel
  • Air stone
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Instructions

  1. Making Water More Alkaline

    • 1

      Remove the fish from the aquarium and place them is another source of water temporarily. Remove the water as well. It is best to start fresh to ensure proper measurements.

    • 2

      Add 1 milliliter of baking soda per every 10 liters of water or 1 tsp. for every 10 gallons. This will raise the pH level of the water to 8.2, which is a fairly alkaline solution.

    • 3

      Calcitic gravel can then be placed in the aquarium. Calcitic gravel only is able to raise the pH to 7.5. It is mainly used in conjunction with baking soda to ensure that the pH level does not drop below 7.5.

    • 4

      Add an air stone to the aquarium. The air stone expels carbon dioxide from the water so that less carbonic acid is produced, decreasing the acidity of the water and making it more alkaline.

    • 5

      Replace the fish and treated water into the aquarium.