Aquarium pH and Water Hardness  

     pH and water hardness are aquarium parameters that are important to know and understand. In nature, pH and water hardness are often linked, meaning when on is high, so is the other and vice versa. However, this is not always the case when it comes to municipal and well water we use in our aquariums. The conversation becomes more complicated when we discuss the use of RO water, something we will talk about in an upcoming video. Aquarium pH is important for all organisms; fish, plants, and microbes will all have their own preference when it comes to this parameter. Luckily, most organisms in our tanks will do well in a pH range between 6.5 and 7.5 which happens to be fairly easy to achieve. Several factors effect pH and we discuss some of them in this video. The most important thing to remember when it comes to pH is to keep it consistent! Big swing in pH will cause stress to fish and may lead to losing some of your tanks inhabitants.  

 

     Water hardness is a parameter that is often over looked by beginning fish keepers but can be just as important as pH. Some species of fish such as live bearers will require a higher GH to breed. Some plants may require a higher KH to uptake carbon and grow best in their environment. The relative hardness of your tanks water may only be important to sensitive fish and plant life, luckily, most fish and plants can thrive within a wide range of GH and KH and will not be adversely affected if your tank happens to be outside their optimal set of conditions.