Pet Fish - Test Your Fish Tank Water
If your fish tank has water that is too hot or cold, too acidic or alkaline, or unbalanced in any other way, your fish could die.
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Environment is imporatant for all living things, and the most important thing in your fish's environment is the water.
If your fish tank has water that is too hot or cold, too acidic or alkaline, or unbalanced in any other way, your fish could die.
Where to Find Discounted Aquarium Supplies
In order to properly maintain your tank and keep your fish
healthy and happy, you will need to test the tank's water on a regular
basis.
You should start by
checking the aquarium's temperature with a tank thermometer.
It is important to check the temperature of your tank because if the
temperature is too high or too low, it can leave your fish vulnerable
to disease. Since temperature fluctuations are dangerous to fish, be
sure to keep your tank away from any drafty areas, such as windows,
doors or heater vents.
The ideal temperature for
your tank depends on the kind of fish you have in it so make sure you
find out what is ideal for your fish.
When you change your tank's water or add new water to your tank when
the water level is a bit low, you should make sure the temperature is
about the same as the temperature of the water already in the tank. If
the water is too hot or too cold, it may shock the fish or even kill
them.
pH is a way to measure
the acidity of the tank's water.
Since pH test kits are inexpensive and it is very important to be sure
your tank's levels are right, you should make sure you have a kit on
hand for frequent testing.
A pH level of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic and above 7 is alkaline.
Most fish need the pH level to be around 6 or 7. Be
aware that anything you add to the tank could change the pH of the
water, so always run some tests to make sure the levels are ok after
you add new plants, gravel or decorations.
Ammonia test kits are
readily available in your local pet store or favorite online pet supply
retailer. Ammonia levels are usually measured in parts per
million and should always be at zero in a healthy tank.
Ammonia in the tank could be fatal for your fish.
Make sure you have a biological filter, as it helps prevent
ammonia. Cleaning your tank and filter regularly should also
prevent ammonia levels from becoming high.
Nitrite and nitrate
levels should also be at zero to prevent your fish from dying.
These test kits are also readily available and are usually
measured in parts per million or milligrams per liter. If you
have a biological filter and have high levels, the filter may not work
properly. Clean your filter immediately and retest your
water.
Finally, you should get a
general hardness kit and a carbonate hardness kit. These kits
are inexpensive and can be purchased online or at your local store.
The hardness of your water depends on the water quality where
you live. Most fish like the water to be soft, which is between 50 to
200 parts per million. Hard water is not safe for most fish.
Since high carbon can keep pH stable, a carbon hardness kit
is important, too.
Caring for Pet Fish
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