2007-07-21 09:15:13 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
pH is a measurement of the acid / alkalinity of the water, it's not something that water either has or does not have. pH is measured on a scale from 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is considered to be basic.
Generally, most fish tolerate a wide range of pH centering around 7 and luckily most tap water is within this range as well. As far as keeping a general community tank is concerned, the most important thing to remember about pH is to not tinker with it. Altering pH whether with drops or other additives is one very quick way to kill the fish in the tank. Stable is far more important that the number being what some book or website calls "right". If you need more info about pH, feel free to email me and I can answer any of your questions.
MM
2007-07-21 09:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First, ph is not 'caused'. It merely is. It's like saying "What causes temperature?" Temperature is just a measure of heat. ph is just a measure of the acidic qualities of the water.
If you are wondering how to change the ph of your tank, then I would need to know if you want it to go up or down. Generally, the ph is first determined by the tap water you use to fill the tank. Then, the fish themselves may change the ph depending on how often you clean the tank and what fish you have. Aquarium decorations can also be a factor in changing ph in a tank.
If you want to stabilize ph, it's important to know where you are right now, and where you want it to be. Generally speaking, to make a tank acidic, dead plants, wood decorations and fish excrement rank high on the list. To increase base, certain rocks can do the trick.
Or, just get drops from Tetra, phUp and phDown.
It would help to know what kind of tank you have, and why you want to change the ph.
Good luck.
2007-07-21 09:26:47 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All sorts of things can cause an aquarium's pH to change. Fish regularly expel ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates just by being there (instead of...uh...peeing), and carbon dioxide from the air adds to the acidity. Local water can also be more acidic or basic, depending on the soil and rock type in your area.
2007-07-21 10:08:41 · answer #3 · answered by morph_888 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
impurities in the water, some are more acidic, while others are more basic, fish like nuetral water
2007-07-21 09:18:29 · answer #4 · answered by irish girl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
depense what area of the coutnry you are in. (water in your tap)
2007-07-21 09:22:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish poop
2007-07-21 09:18:10 · answer #6 · answered by booger 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋