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Aquarium Advice Freak
PH and General Water Conditions
Freshwater
Especially for beginners, it is a good idea to try to match your fish to the type of water you have. In nature, our pets come from a wide variety of water parameters. Some come from soft acidic waters, others from hard alkaline waters, and just about everywhere in between. We have cold-water fish available, such as goldfish, as well as an almost endless list of tropical fish who prefer moderate temperatures in the mid-70 degree range, and discus who like it really warmed well into the 80's. Lucky for us most fish are aquarium bred these days, and will adjust to their new homes within reason assuming their water isn't too far from what they are used to, and their water conditions remain stable. There are a few fish out there who aren't so tolerant of variations, so it is important to research your new fish and his/her needs before buying.
Most community fish will do well in water with a pH close to 7.0, give or take a little, with a moderate temperature of 72-78. On the pH scale, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic, while anything over 7.0 is considered alkaline. A pH of 6.0 is ten times more acidic than 7.0, so you can see that what would seem to be small fluctuations can be significant to the fish. It isn't a good idea to mix fish that have differing requirements, so try to pick fish that prefer similar conditions. For instance, you would not want to put an african cichlid that is used to hard, alkaline waters (can be up to 9.0) with a discus that prefers softer, more acidic water (around 5-6).(Of course that isn't the only reason not to mix the two, but...
) City water is generally soft, while well water often tends to be hard. In general, soft water has a lower pH, while hard water often has a higher pH. Soft water most often doesn't have the buffering ability that hard water usually has, so it is more prone to sizable pH swings. You may find that you need to monitor your pH more closely. Soft water pH is more easily affected by declining overall water quality, addition of air bubblers, addition of driftwood, and the list goes on. By choosing fish that prefer conditions similar to what comes out of your tap, and doing regular water changes, you will save you and your fish a lot of stress. While it is possible to alter your water to suit the needs of the fish, it is more suited for energetic, experienced people who don't mind quite a bit of work!
The best thing you can do for your fish is to be aware of each's needs and accomodate them to the best of your ability. When fish are forced to adapt to less than ideal conditions, they become stressed. Stressed fish's immune systems often suffer, leaving them vulnerable to many diseases. There is such a wide range of water conditions, even among groups of fish, that it's not advisable to use generalizations. There are a few african cichlids that don't come from the great lakes that do not prefer hard alkaline water. Who would have guessed?
All it takes is a little time and a little research to be able to give your fish the best care you can.
Freshwater
Especially for beginners, it is a good idea to try to match your fish to the type of water you have. In nature, our pets come from a wide variety of water parameters. Some come from soft acidic waters, others from hard alkaline waters, and just about everywhere in between. We have cold-water fish available, such as goldfish, as well as an almost endless list of tropical fish who prefer moderate temperatures in the mid-70 degree range, and discus who like it really warmed well into the 80's. Lucky for us most fish are aquarium bred these days, and will adjust to their new homes within reason assuming their water isn't too far from what they are used to, and their water conditions remain stable. There are a few fish out there who aren't so tolerant of variations, so it is important to research your new fish and his/her needs before buying.
Most community fish will do well in water with a pH close to 7.0, give or take a little, with a moderate temperature of 72-78. On the pH scale, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic, while anything over 7.0 is considered alkaline. A pH of 6.0 is ten times more acidic than 7.0, so you can see that what would seem to be small fluctuations can be significant to the fish. It isn't a good idea to mix fish that have differing requirements, so try to pick fish that prefer similar conditions. For instance, you would not want to put an african cichlid that is used to hard, alkaline waters (can be up to 9.0) with a discus that prefers softer, more acidic water (around 5-6).(Of course that isn't the only reason not to mix the two, but...
) City water is generally soft, while well water often tends to be hard. In general, soft water has a lower pH, while hard water often has a higher pH. Soft water most often doesn't have the buffering ability that hard water usually has, so it is more prone to sizable pH swings. You may find that you need to monitor your pH more closely. Soft water pH is more easily affected by declining overall water quality, addition of air bubblers, addition of driftwood, and the list goes on. By choosing fish that prefer conditions similar to what comes out of your tap, and doing regular water changes, you will save you and your fish a lot of stress. While it is possible to alter your water to suit the needs of the fish, it is more suited for energetic, experienced people who don't mind quite a bit of work!The best thing you can do for your fish is to be aware of each's needs and accomodate them to the best of your ability. When fish are forced to adapt to less than ideal conditions, they become stressed. Stressed fish's immune systems often suffer, leaving them vulnerable to many diseases. There is such a wide range of water conditions, even among groups of fish, that it's not advisable to use generalizations. There are a few african cichlids that don't come from the great lakes that do not prefer hard alkaline water. Who would have guessed?
All it takes is a little time and a little research to be able to give your fish the best care you can.
