Freshwater PH & Acid Levels

Freshwater tanks require that the acidity level, known as a pH level, is consistently monitored. This process is relatively simple and requires only a small amount of equipment. This process is very important to the health of the tank, and the fish living in the tank, because too high or too low of an acidity level can cause serious harm to the fish and may cause life in the tank to fail.

  1. Optimum pH Level

    • Freshwater fish often come from waters with a variety of pH levels. Finding a singular pH level for every fish is near impossible. For most fish, a range of 6.5 to 8.0 on the pH scale is sufficient for their health and many may even breed in this range. It is important to match the freshwater tank to the supply water of the fish to avoid stressing the fish during transfers.

    Testing

    • Testing the freshwater tank for its pH level is a fairly easy task. It should be noted that the testing process is done through the use of a color chart, so those who are color blind may have difficulty with this process. A pH testing kit for freshwater is needed to complete the test. This testing kit can be found at most pet stores. Gather the water in the small vial provided by the kit. Add the appropriate amount of pH testing solution to the vial of water. Some kits suggest that the vial is then covered and carefully rotated end over end to mix the water and solution. Other kits suggest allowing the solution and the water to mix naturally. The water will turn a color and that color can then be compared to a color chart that provides the pH of the water.

    Tap Water

    • Testing tap water can be very frustrating. This is because most tap water has a buffer of carbon dioxide that can make the water taste and test as a near neutral when it is really acidic. In addition, the adding of softeners and fluoride can also change the acidity of the water and make it difficult to balance the pH levels of the water. It is best to allow water to set for several days before testing and adding chemicals to balance the water's pH level. In addition, running a filter for those several days will help to remove the salts used as a softener and the fluoride additives.

    Maintenance

    • The acidity levels of a freshwater tank can change over time. This can be due to an excess of fish waste, plant decay or the breakdown of gravel. This is why it is so important to frequently test the water of the freshwater tank to evaluate the acidity levels. If the levels stay within the healthy ranges of 6.5 to 8.0, no adjustments should be made. If the levels dip below or rise above this range, slowly add pH balancers to bring the water back into this range. Do not adjust the water quickly as you can shock and stress the fish, causing illness or death.

    Slow Changes

    • Slow changes in the pH levels of the freshwater tank are the best and most effective methods of changing the acidity of a freshwater tank. To lower the pH level of the water, consider adding a piece of decorative wood to the freshwater tank. This will accomplish several goals at once, a hiding place for the fish, decoration and a lowering pH of the tank. To raise the acidity levels of a tank, consider placing a large decorative shell, or a bunch of small shells, to the tank. Be sure that neither items have a protective wax on them or paint, as this can become toxic to the fish.