| -pH Control - pH stands for hydrogen potenz. It is | | | | organisms, byproducts of metabolic activities in |
| actually the concentration of hydrogen ions | | | | the fish and other aquarium residents and the |
| present in your aquarium tank, and as you know, | | | | excretion products of your fish will definitely |
| hydrogen ion concentration refers to acidity of | | | | introduce some toxic products in your aquarium |
| the water in the tank. As fishes live in the water, | | | | tank. Some toxic materials can also enter from |
| performing all their biological activities, the pH value | | | | the external environment, such as when things |
| is bound to change. The best way to ensure that | | | | drop into your tank or when some |
| the pH values remain conducive for the health of | | | | microorganisms enter through the air. They could |
| your fish is to change the water often. | | | | play havoc with the health of your delicate fish. |
| 2. Kh control - For the scientifically inclined people, | | | | You cannot effectively monitor such toxic |
| Kh is the hydrolysis constant. Simply speaking, it is | | | | intrusions. The best way is to change water. |
| ability of water to buffer, which means, maintain a | | | | 5. Cleaning aquarium accessories - If you have live |
| particular optimum level of the acids and bases in | | | | elements in your aquarium tank such as live sand, |
| it. Changes occur in the fish tank over time due | | | | live rock, sponges, bio balls, etc. it is best to |
| to the inclusion of chemicals produced from | | | | provide them with clean water of aquarium |
| biological activity. That is one reason why the | | | | standard to filter out the wastes that they |
| water has to be periodically changed. | | | | produce from time to time. |
| 3. Controlling nitrate levels - Ideally speaking, a | | | | 6. Controlling algal growth - Algae are microscopic |
| saltwater aquarium must have a nitrate | | | | plants that grow in all types of aquatic |
| concentration of at the most 20 parts per million | | | | environment. They grow faster in aquariums |
| and a freshwater aquarium must have at the | | | | because the water there is stagnant and |
| most 50 parts per million. Fish excretion is in the | | | | favorable for their growth. However, algae can |
| form of ammonia, which increases the nitrate | | | | pollute the water in the closed environment to |
| level of the tank. There are protein skimmers | | | | drastic levels, which could also mean health |
| available that can help to keep the nitrate levels | | | | problems to your fish. Not only that, algae will |
| to optimal levels within the tank. But these | | | | compete with the fish with the resources available |
| skimmers will not be able to remove the organic | | | | in your aquarium. If you change the water from |
| debris that collects in the tank from time to time. | | | | your aquarium regularly, you are also removing |
| That is the reason why complete water changes | | | | the algae that have grown in them. |
| become necessary. In fact, aquarium sellers do | | | | Hence, water changes in your aquarium are a |
| stress upon nitrate level maintenance as the most | | | | very important aspect of aquarium cleaning. They |
| important reason for making periodical water | | | | ensure that your fish live longer and healthier in |
| changes. | | | | the home you provide them. |
| 4. Detoxifying the aquariums - Dead aquatic | | | | |