How To Increase PH In Aquarium

Advice / By

how-to-increase-ph-in-aquarium

Each species of fish lives in water with a different nutritional content. Some specimens thrive in a slightly acidic or neutral composition and others appreciate a more basic environment. This explains why it is sometimes necessary to raise the pH of the aquarium. But first, let’s talk about the latter.

 

The pH

Before we start, let’s define what pH is. Ranging from 0 to 14.7, it indicates whether your aquarium water is acidic, neutral or basic. This value is directly related to the hardness of the liquid expressed in GH and KH.

The former shows the level of calcium in a liquid while the latter states the concentration of carbonate and bicarbonate in a fluid. Both are sufficient to determine whether a water appears soft or hard. A high GH or KH indicates an above average pH.

 

Why increase the pH of an aquarium?

The pH of your fish tank should be increased to meet the needs of your fish. We’ll show you a few examples of how to do this. The Caribbean Guppy lives in water with a pH around 7.5. The zebrafish in turn thrives in a composition with a pH between 6 and 7.8.

If you like the elegant Black Molly from Central America, you should know that it appreciates a rather basic water whose pH is estimated at 7.2 to 8.2. What about the small Platy, known as a very sociable species? This one feels better in a warm home with a pH around 8.

 

Test your aquarium water and tap water

Before increasing the pH of your aquarium, it is necessary to identify its initial value. Visit an aquarium store to test the neutrality of your water. A bottled sample is required for this purpose.

Alternatively, you can perform the pH calculation yourself. The strip method is suitable for amateurs in this field. The technique consists of purchasing special cotton swabs that are immersed in the liquid.

The element in question is impregnated with chemicals and reacts instantly to the fluid. To perform this experiment, take water from the aquarium in a glass and dip a rod in it. You will notice shades of color soon after. Each shade represents the pH and GH or KH value.

From the result, you will know whether to harden or soften your fish’s home. Dipping the rod directly into the tank is risky. It affects the species because of the chemical components that will be released from the strip.

Baking soda

It is often a headache to increase the pH of the aquarium. The most practical and inexpensive way to do this is to add baking soda to the tank. This cheap product sells like hotcakes, so you can easily find it in stores.

How do you use it? The trick seems quite simple, it revolves around the dosage. Count 5 teaspoons of soda for 100 l of liquid. Then, calculate the quantity by considering the capacity of your fish tank.

After that, add your compound to a bowl and add a little water to dissolve it. Next, remove your animals from the aquarium and place them in a bucket filled with water. Afterwards, pour the solution into the tank while stirring quickly. After 30 minutes, you can put your little protégés back in their habitat.

 

Dolomite debris

Dolomites contain a lot of calcium and magnesium. They affect the pH of the water by increasing it significantly. These elements are sold in granular form on the market. To take advantage of them, all you have to do is pour a certain amount into the pond.

However, by doing so, the grit will take up space in the container. So, insert the grit into the filter-aquarium. As the water passes through the device, it will become loaded with carbonate, thus raising the pH. However, be sure to clean your unit thoroughly to remove any residue that has built up as a result of the operation.

 

Expert tip: Cleaning your aquarium pump may contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem in the tank. Learn more about how to clean aquarium pump.

 

Limescale

While aquarium plants make water more neutral, limestone effectively increases the pH of the water. Rich in carbonate, it increases the KH of the house. Where can you find this type of rock? You can find a few blocks in aquarium stores.

These elements are used for decoration and also make excellent houses for the fish. On the other hand, it will be necessary to regulate the quantity of limestone to be incrusted in the pond. It is better to start small rather than putting large rocks in the aquarium all at once. Water that is too calcareous is not a suitable environment for the survival of certain species.

 

Crushed Oyster Shells

In addition to dolomite and limestone, oyster shell powder also has the same effects when in contact with water. Its calcium content is so high that it effectively raises the pH of a liquid.

Put your powder in filter bags and hold them with strings. Then place them in the container. If the pH of the aquarium increases after half a day, simply remove the bags. If it doesn’t, add more bags to the tank.

This process is still completely natural. It has no side effects on the fish. Industrialized products with chemical elements are not recommended for regulating the neutrality of the water.

 

The “pH-up”

Increasing the pH of your aquarium is not really complicated. Products known as “pH-up” are designed for this purpose. It is a chemical solution available on the market.

To use it, you need to read the instructions printed on the label on the bottle to determine the dosage per liter of water. Once you know what to look for, you can pour the correct amount of pH-up into your pond.

The mixture takes a few hours to react and mix inside the aquarium. Then test the neutrality of the liquid to see if it has changed. Normally, your composition has become harder as a result of this action.

 

Ben
Latest posts by Ben (see all)