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How to raise or lower the pH of the aquarium
The water in the aquarium is the main element on which life develops. When we talk about the quality of the water, we are not talking about a single quality, but the one necessary to reproduce the biotope we have chosen, learn how to lower and raise the pH in aquarium for the fish to thrive and survive
The choice will imply that the quality of the water responds to a certain chemical composition, in which the pH is within a limit range, both above and below.
Depending on the species of fish in our aquarium, we will need a different pH level. Our mission is to maintain the alkalinity or acidity of the water within acceptable parameters, but… What do we do when we need to raise or lower the pH of the aquarium?
What you will learn
What is pH?
pH is the abbreviation for hydrogen potential. When we talk about the pH of water or any solution, we are talking about its degree of acidity or alkalinity, which is determined by the amount of hydrogen ions that are present.
You will see that whenever we talk about the pH of the aquarium, the term is expressed in degrees.
How do you measure the pH of the aquarium
The pH has a scale from 1 to 14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 the most alkaline. The neutral value is right in the middle, 7.
There are two ways of measuring the pH of water on the market:
Potentiometer or pH-meter
The pH meter is an instrument that measures the potential difference between two electrodes, a reference electrode that is usually made of silver or silver chloride, and a glass electrode that is sensitive to the hydrogen ion.
Acid Indicators (Colorimetric System)
This is the usual way in which we normally measure the aquarium water, with those strips that react to pH, gH, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia levels.
You can also find it in liquid solutions, with a pH-only test kit.
The measurements are approximate and not as reliable as if we use the pH-meter, but sufficient for our purpose.
The mechanism is simple, the strips are impregnated with weak acids or bases, which react with a different color depending on the acidity or alkalinity of the water.
In the case of liquid solutions, when a few drops are added to a sample of water from the aquarium, it will turn a certain colour, which we can contrast with a colour-coded wheel.
The organisms living in the aquarium, both fish and plants, are sensitive to sudden changes in pH, so it is important to measure the pH every week.
What is the ideal pH for my aquarium?
The ideal pH for your aquarium will depend on the species of fish you have.
How to lower the pH of the aquarium?
The first thing we have to do to know how to lower the pH of the water in our aquarium, is to measure the pH of the water we use to fill it…usually from the tap
How to use peat to lower the pH of the aquarium?
The water that can be found in virgin forests has an acidic pH, even below 4, and a very low hardness (gH).
The reason for this is very simple, as they pass through the subsoil they pass through peat masses, which give them these physical characteristics and in many cases also a certain yellowish colouring.
In the aquarium we can achieve something similar, making the water of the aquarium filter through the peat… Watch out!! It is not worth the gardening peat, which can carry fertilizers and phytosanitary products.
There are several ways to use peat in the aquarium:
How to raise the pH of the aquarium?
Just as we may find that we have a high pH and need to lower the pH of the aquarium, the opposite option may be given, that we have a low pH and need to raise the pH of the aquarium.
We have several options to raise the pH of the aquarium:
How to raise the pH with bicarbonate?
A homemade trick that we can easily use is to add potassium bicarbonate, in the necessary amount, depending on the pH degrees that we need to raise.
It is convenient to make a solution of the product in water. Then add the product little by little and do not raise all the degrees we need at once, so as not to produce stress in the fish.
To raise one degree of Kh using sodium bicarbonate, use 3 grams per 100 liters, in the case of potassium bicarbonate, use 3.6 grams per 100 liters to raise one degree of Kh.
Probably you are a little checkered, if we are talking about pH and you jump with Kh or “temporary water hardness”.
Kh as a buffer or pH regulator
There is a very close relationship between the pH of the aquarium and the Kh, so if we want to have a stable pH, we have to control the Kh as well.
With a high Kh level, the aquarium water will be stable and it will be easier for us to control the pH.
Kh and pH show the following relationship, and that is why it is important to keep control of both together:
Conclusion
Maintaining a stable pH is necessary for the quality of the aquarium water, and the life of our fish.
More than just going up or down, what is really important is the stability of the pH, which is why we have to take regular measurements of the water at least once a week.
As I think it has become clear throughout the article, all the parameters that affect the quality of the water are closely related, and sometimes it can be exasperating…when that happens, there is an imbalance somewhere. We have to find out what it is, in order to modify it or eliminate it.
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