WHAT IS pH AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

pH is a measure that indicates whether your aquarium water is in an acidic, alkaline, or neutral state. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 to 7 being considered acid and 7 to 14 being considered alkaline. In scientific terms, it is the ratio of hydrogen ions (H⁺) to hydroxide ions (OH⁻) that make up water molecules (H₂O). Water with a neutral pH (about 7.0) has the same amount of H⁺ and OH, acidic water below 7.0, has more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions, and alkaline water, pH will be above 7.0, has more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions.But how does that affect our fish?

Check your aquarium water pH regularly to keep your fish healthy

WHY is pH important?

The fish, in backbones and aquatic plants that we are raising in the tank are usually derived from environments with a specific pH for each species. Maintaining the right pH in your aquarium is important to them, especially for creatures brought back from the wild. In addition to pH and precise temperature requirements, aquatic plants and plants need a stable environment. Sudden changes in pH can be harmful, or even mass-lethal, if the pH change is too strong or occurs suddenly.

DOES THE pH CHANGE?

There is a natural tendency that the pH will gradually decrease in a long-term aquarium or aquatic tank without changing water or not replenishing water manic fertilizers or substrates when organic waste accumulates too much and the minerals in the substrate are depleted. If left uncontrolled, the pH may drop low enough to endanger fish, cloves and aquatic plants. To avoid this, you should regularly change the water periodically or siphone bottom to remove pollutants and replenish minerals capable of creating natural pH buffers and keeping the environment stable.

Small changes in pH also occur between day and night, especially in tanks with stable plant systems.Plants produce oxygen during the day, which contributes to increased pH and they emp discharge carbon dioxide at night, which reduces pH. These oscillation is more pronounced in tanks that use substrates with bad pH buffers or excessive use of CO₂.

PH is also important in a new aquarium, where ammonia gas can accumulate due to a lack of nitrification bacteria. Ammonia exists as a free ammonia NH3 which is very toxic to fish and this free ammonia also exists in parallel with nh4+ i_oⁿs.These two forms exist at an equal rate at pH of 7.3, but when the pH increases above 7.3, the amount of NH3 will begin to appear more or, in other words, higher fish toxicity.Therefore, it is best to maintain a pH below 7.3 to minimize the toxicity of N_H3. When making a new aquarium, you should check pH, ammonia and nitrite regularly to avoid endangering fish.

WHAT pH IS BEST FOR FISH?

There is no pH value suitable for all fish and other subwater species of plants and plants. Since most aquarium players feed fish native to different environments in the same aquarium, it is best to look for a pH that all species in the tank feel comfortable with. Most freshwater tropical fish match the best pH between 6.8 and 7.8, however, some species come from areas with a pH significantly higher or lower than these values. For example, the Emperor Fish in Rift Lakes in Africa can be bred at pH between 8.0 and 9.0, while the Red Neon fish in Rio Negro, South America lives in water with a pH below 5.5.A warning here is that most freshwater aquarium fish sold today are bred in environments with a pH that differs from their natural environment.

When making a new aquarium, check your ice to make sure the pH and other water parameters are within the right range for the fish, cloves and aquatic plants you plan to feed.Let’s find out the water parameters suitable for the fish that you want to feed before bringing back your tank.

Synthesized.

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