How can you tell what the pH balance is in a fish tank?

Answer 1

Go to any good, and most not so good, pet stores, and you will be able to buy a water testing kit relitively cheaply.

From there it is a simple matter of following the instructions and adjusting your water to suit.

If you are looking to maintain relatively high pH levels and water hardness, ie, for African cichlids, limestone scenery may be a good alternative.

You can also get a Buffer Block from most pet stores. They are designed to hold the water at around pH7.

Answer 2

It depends on a number of factors, but most people try to keep the pH around 7.0 (neutral) Anything slightly higher or lower will be tolerated by fish unless there is a sudden change. Keep in mind that certain species of fish will not breed unless the pH is what they really prefer.

Answer 3

Well you need to first check the pH level of the tank or bring a sample of water to your local fish store. Then go to your local fish store and buy pH lower and on the box it should say how much you should put in depending on the pH level. I recommend you ask for assistace because depending on your tank or fish it may effect the fish or tank.

Answer 4

This is quite difficult to do because water contains its own 'buffering' chemicals and will try to return to its normal pH value. There is also the problem of inballance when performing water changes (which should be done regularly).When this happens the occupants ofthe aquarium can easily be damaged by the pH fluctuations. "pH down" that usually comes with pH testing kits is absolutely useless and will cause those dangerous fluctuations. That having been said, there are other products available at most pet shops. These products are added to the filter and they remove some of the buffering capabilities in the water thereby dropping the pH slowly and gently. Peat moss is another but more natural item that can be added to the filter and it too will lower pH levels slowly by adding tannic acid. It will also change the colour of the water making it brownish (tea coloured).

Answer 5

If you don't have a special need for a specific pH value (like acid when breeding Discus or alkaline when keeping African cichlids) it is always best to leave the pH of your water alone and just let everything be as natural/normal as possible. It is very hard to adjust pH without fish suffering from pH shock. (Each tiny .1 up or down is 10 times the previous amount).There are "pH Buffer Blocks" available in pet shops. Placing one or two of these (depending on water holding capacity) in your tank will assist in keeping your pH steady which is the most important thing to do.

Answer 6

A water change then go and buy pH plus from the pet store, slowly add the chemical, possible over a week, some fish are very sensitive to the change.

Answer 7

pH is the acitity, or acid level in your tank. an average pH is about 7.0 , different fish require a different pH level

Answer 8

The only way of telling the pH level in a aquarium is by using/buying a pH testing kit from your local pet store/ aquatic centre