What Happens if the Alkalinity Rises Too High in an Aquarium?

Keeping pets happy and healthy is an important part of showing your love for the animals, and each animal comes with its own set of specific instructions for how to show it the best care. Fish and aquatic environments are tricky, because it is necessary to keep the environments clean and the pH of the arena at a safe level to ensure the fish's survival.

  1. Understand pH and What Normal Levels Are

    • Levels of pH in water or in any substance is measurable. Acidity is measured by the amount of hydrogen ions present in the water, and alkalinity is measured by the amount of hydroxide ions present. Normal pH level is around 7.0, so water with a high alkalinity must be above 7.0. Different species and different situations require altered "normal" levels. Before you begin altering pH levels, make sure you know exactly what levels are right for your specific fish in your specific aquarium. It is important to try to keep pH levels consistent, as even a 0.3 change in pH levels can alter the health of your fish.

    Loss of Mucus on the Body

    • Prolonged exposure to high alkalinity takes the mucus off of a fish's body, which leads to bacteria and infections. Infections sometimes lead to death, especially in young fish as they are still developing. Developing fish have developmental problems due to the bacteria and infections.

    Stress on Respiration

    • Water with high alkalinity can sometimes contain high metal content of elements like zinc. If alkalinity is too high, fins and scales become damaged. Zinc creates a reaction that alters pH levels near the gills and makes respiration more difficult for fish. If fish are exposed to high alkalinity for too long, they will begin to show signs of distress. Their swimming may become less fluid, and general mobility and function will become lessened.

    Problems with Gills and Fins

    • Certain substances have highly alkaline pH, such as bleach and soapy water, which have pH of 13.0 and above. Think about what that would do to an animal that lives under the constant stress of high alkalinity, and try to keep alkaline levels close to 7.0. This sort of water content will begin to damage extremities of the fish, as the water has the same sort of burning effect that cleaning substances have on stains or spills. Fins will begin to look ragged, and scales may begin to fall off. Make sure that alkalinity never increases past 7.8 in order to avoid this.