Instructions
Fish themselves are the main cause of aquarium water turning toxic. Believe it or not, fish waste is often the culprit. Even if your aquarium water appears clean and clear, it probably isn't. Fish waste puts off gas that is not visible. The gas infiltrates the aquarium water and reduces the viability of the habitat. This leads to fish death. It is crucial to the health of your fish that waste and contaminated water be removed from the tank and new water is added to the aquarium regularly.
Tanks that are new and less than six months old should have their water checked at least every other day. The biggest concern in new tanks is how quickly ammonia from the fish waste can build up in the aquarium water. You should monitor the ammonia and pH levels and change out the water when needed, which could be every couple of days for a new tank. How much water you will have to replace will be dependent upon the size of the tank and how many fish you have in it. Testing the aquarium water before and after water changes will help you to learn how much of the water needs to be changed out.
Tanks that are older will generally start to produce a biological filter that will eat the ammonia. When this kicks in you will not have to change out the aquarium water as often. However, it is important to note that even with a biological filter and a mechanical filter you will still have to change out the water on occasion. Don't ever assume that all is well. The health of your fish depends upon having properly balanced aquarium water.
When you do go to change out your aquarium water and you are using tap water, you should allow it to sit in a bucket for a day before you add it to your tank. This will allow the chlorine that is in tap water to dissipate. If you do not have time to waste, you can purchase a preparation which you can add to the tap water. It will dechlorinate the water and age it instantly.
Be mindful that tap water can have a lot of dissolved oxygen in it. If it does, it can stick to the gills of your fish and hurt them. To check to see if your water has a high amount of dissolved oxygen, simply place your hand in a container of fresh tap water. If tiny bubbles cover your hand this means your tap water has a lot of dissolved oxygen in it. You should allow your tap water to sit over night to allow it to settle before you add it to your tank.
How to Keep Your Aquarium Water Healthy
Ensuring that you have a proper balance in your aquarium water is vital to the health of your fish. In their natural habitats, the water that fish live in is constantly cycling. Since aquarium water is not a natural environment, it is up to you to make sure that your aquarium water is a viable home for your fish.