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