Understanding Water Quality and the need for Water Testing“Good water quality is the key to keeping a successful aquarium. So how do you monitor your
aquariums wellbeing? Simple! Test your aquarium water regularly!”
pH-Acidity/Alkalinity of your water.
Neutral water has a pH of 7, Acid water has a pH between 0 and 6.9,
and Alkaline water has a pH between 7.1 and 14. All fish require a
specific pH level for them to survive.
E.g. Marine fish need a pH between 8.0 and 8.5, with 8.3
being
ideal. African Cichlids need a pH between 7.8 and 8.4. Most other
tropical fish need a pH of 7 (with the exception of Discus). It is
important to keep your aquariums pH at the appropriate level for the
fish you are keeping. Not only do your fish show their best colours,
but it also reduces the chances of a disease outbreak. Maintaining
the correct pH level prevents toxins such as Ammonia and Nitrite
from developing into a toxic form and killing your fish. You must
monitor your pH using a pH test kit on a regular basis - we
recommend testing weekly and when doing a water change.
AmmoniaAmmonia (NH₃) is the first step in the nitrogen cycle. It is naturally
formed in the aquarium through fish respiration, excess food and fish
waste. In high concentrations, Ammonia is lethal to your fish (and
corals) as it reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, leading to
stressed fish which are highly susceptible to disease outbreaks and
death. Regular water changes and a healthy, well maintained filter
will reduce the concentrations. It is extremely important that you
monitor your Ammonia levels weekly with an Ammonia test kit,
especially when starting a new aquarium, adding new fish/corals and
if your pH isn’t right.
NitriteNitrite (NO₂) is the second step in the nitrogen cycle where toxic
ammonia (NH₃) is broken down and converted into Nitrite. Even in
small concentrations, Nitrite is lethal to fish and corals as it effects
the way the fishes blood carries oxygen. Nitrite should also be
monitored on a regular basis using a Nitrite test kit.
NitrateNitrate (NO₃) is the third step in the nitrogen cycle where Nitrite is
further broken down into Nitrate. It can be lethal if not monitored
and maintained correctly. Regular nitrate testing should be done
especially if you have found that your aquarium shows a reading for
Ammonia and Nitrite. Excessive nitrate exposure can result in algae
blooms, breeding problems, deformities and death due to stress and
disease caused by nitrate.
Carbonate HardnessCarbonate Hardness (KH) is a ‘buffering’ element in water which
stabilises the pH. If you find that your pH keeps dropping even after
adding buffers to raise it, you will most likely find that you have a KH
deficiency. Maintaining the correct KH level will not only stabilise the
Tropical Marine Centre Aquarium
121 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba 4557
Phone: 07 5444 6558
pH, but also act as a supply of CO2 (essential for plant growth) and
aid in the production of vibrant healthy corals in a Marine system.
FiltrationAmmonia, Nitrite and Nitrate are all broken down in an aquarium by
the bacteria that grows in our filter. All good filters will provide ample
filter media, usually on the form of a large sponge, ideally combined
with ceramic stones/noodles. This provides a great surface area for
the bacteria to grow and thrive on. The more bacteria present,
results in greater and faster breakdown of fish wastes. Chemical
filtration, in the form of Carbon, also helps to remove some wastes,
tannins from driftwood, medications and keeps your water crystal
clear. To prevent clogging of your filter, and ensure there is a good
flow of water passing through the media, you should aim to clean
you filter every 4-6 weeks. When cleaning your filter, it is essential to
simply rinse the media in a bucket of water that you have siphoned
from your aquarium. This will prevent any bacterial loss.
Setting up a NEW AQUARIUMThe key to establishing a new aquarium without hassles or casualties
is to ensure you have a healthy colony of good bacteria in your filter
BEFORE you add your fish. By using a ‘bio-starter’ you can kick start
the colonisation of bacteria in your filter. This means that when you
are ready to add your first fish, the bacteria is there ready and
waiting to start breaking down your new fishes wastes straight away.
After adding your first fish, the colony of bacteria will continue to
grow and spread. After about 7 days*, you can then add your next
few fish. This will result in even more bacteria growing so by the
following week*, you can add a few more fish. By slowly stocking
your aquarium like this, you are giving the bacteria time to grow and
spread, which in turn, means that all of the fish wastes are
completely broken down before they have a chance to accumulate
and harm your fish.
*If at any time during this stocking period you record a positive ammonia or
nitrite reading, don’t add any more fish and seek advice from one of our staff
members.
Gravel Cleaning and Water ChangingGravel cleaning removes old water and solid (organic) wastes that
have accumulated in and around the gravel from the aquarium.
Organic waste accumulation will result in your pH falling dangerously
low, no matter how good your filter is. To ensure this waste doesn’t
accumulate, we recommend siphoning out approximately 1/3 to ½ of
the water fortnightly, using a gravel cleaner. Keeping your gravel
clean and free of organic waste, will also prevent things such as
fungal outbreaks and high ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels.
Fish should NOT need be removed from the aquarium during a water
change/gravel clean. Do however, ensure you clean under any rocks,
ornaments and/or driftwood.
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Web: www.tropicalmarinecentre.com.au
Email Enquiries: tropicalmarine@live.com.au
Keeping a log book gives you the ability to not only keep a history of your aquarium but enables you to answer simple questions which we may ask you when
you’re having an aquatic nightmare. E.g. what is the volume of your aquarium? When was your last water change and how much? What is the pH of your
aquarium? What sort of fish are you keeping? By filling in this logbook and bringing it with you every time (even if it is just to buy a new fish), you are
providing us with valuable information to help up give you the right information for the benefit of not only you and your fish, but your wallet and stress levels
too!
Aquarium Size: (LxWxH in cm)_______________________
Volume: (LxWxH ÷ 1000) ___________________________
Date the tank was set up: __________________________
Date first fish added: ______________________________
Test Date
Water Change
Filter Clean
Temp
pH
Lights (size/type/watt): ______________________________________________________
Other Information: (Air Pump, Chiller, Protein Skimmer, Power Head, Heater, ETC):
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
KH
Phosphate Salt (Marine)
Other
Other