How to Maintain Water pH

Water pH is a scale that measures the proportion of hydrogen and hydroxyl in the water. Water can test between 0 and 14, with 7 considered a neutral number. Most tropical fish can thrive in water that has a pH between 6.4 and 7.8, as long as the number remains stable. If the pH in a fish tank fluctuates just 0.3 in one day, fish can enter pH shock, a stressful condition that leaves them open to disease. For that reason, aquarium owners need to know how to measure pH and keep levels stable as they work on maintaining good aquarium water quality.

Things You'll Need

  • Water chemistry testing kit or strips
  • Bucket
  • Air stone
  • Air pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Aerate your tap water by pouring some into a bucket and adding an air stone connected to an air pump. After the water sits and aerates for 24 hours, test using your water testing kit, and then repeat after 48 hours.

    • 2

      Compare the two numbers and note the change. If it is more than 0.2 on the scale, allow all water to aerate for 48 hours before adding it to the tank when doing aquarium water changes.

    • 3

      Use caution when adding décor, gravel or plants to the aquarium, as each of these will impact the pH. Add just a few at a time, testing the water for changes.

    • 4

      Make pH adjustments slowly when necessary through natural means like adding a piece of driftwood or extra aeration to lower pH or adding corals or fossil décor to raise it.

    • 5

      Perform a 25-percent water change weekly so the pH levels will stay close to the level of your tap water.