The pH values in freshwater aquariums are between 6.5 and 7.0 and in seawater aquariums they are between 8.1 and 8.4. The decrease or increase of these values are very dangerous for fish.
Mutaphi ?M?pH+ is a solution that increases the pH to the desired value
PH values in the Aquarium:
The concentration of hydrogen ions (hydrogenions) is what determines the pH or degree of acidity or alkalinity of the water.
Let's say that pH values are expressed in logarithmic ratios, so one degree of pH indicates a concentration of hydrogen ions 10 times higher or lower than the previous one.
The possible values of pH in the water can vary between 0 and 14 (both points are the extremes of the table of values).
A pH value of 0 indicates the highest degree of acidity a substance can reach; For its part, a pH value of 14 indicates the maximum degree of alkalinity that can be obtained in any medium. Alkaline and basic can be understood as synonyms for practical purposes. Between both extremes, a pH of 7 indicates neutral values.
Fish live in a very close relationship with the water in their environment. The values of temperature, hardness, conductivity, pH and others act directly on the organism and determine its biology.
Although not a general rule, it can be determined by observation whether the aquarium water is acidic or alkaline. Of course, we are not referring to freshly placed water, but to water from an aquarium that has been running for a long time.
Neutral pH water (pH 7) is usually colorless, bright, odorless and with a slight presence of algae on decorative material and glass. Plants grow moderately. Most fish can live in this type of water.
With a slightly alkaline pH (7.1 to 7.4) a greater development of algae is observed, the water turns greenish in color due to the presence of algae. A slight smell of chlorophyll is usually perceived (very similar to that of Gammexane or hexachlor) and the plants tend to grow rapidly. Of course, all this is possible if we have good lighting in the aquarium. With this type of water only a group of fish can live comfortably. Among them many of the viviparous and ovoviviparous pecylids and godeids (such as Mollys, Guppy, Swords, etc.) and others.
With a pH greater than 7.4, a cloudiness of the water may occur, which gradually acquires a smell of decomposition of vegetable matter since the plants do not grow due to excess calcareous salts. A strong formation of scale is observed on the glass and the deposit of calcareous material adhered to the decorative material (stones and trunks) and to the accessories that are inside the aquarium. Only a very small group of fish can live in this type of water, including some cichlids from the great lakes of Africa. Most fish begin to show skin lesions and breathing difficulties.
Slightly acidic water, with a pH between 7.0 and 6.8. It is generally a bright type of water, with a slight yellowish reflection, odorless and free of algae. Vegetation grows sparsely and slowly. The glasses may present slight calcareous formations. Most river fish live in this type of water, particularly the South American ones.
Acidic water, with a pH less than 6.8. The water appears amber yellow, the decomposing organic matter acquires a brown color. The vegetation is very poor and yellowish in color. Not many fish live in this type of water, but they generally do not adapt easily to less acidic waters. This is the case of the Symphysodon (discus) and many tetras and in particular the cardinal tetra.
A rise in pH produces alkalosis in certain fish . That is, an abiotic disease that could be compared to poisoning. It is not the same that the pH is raised one or two points for a fish from alkaline waters than for a fish from acidic waters. Although in both cases they will suffer the consequences, the fish whose metabolism is adapted to low pH will suffer more than the one adapted to high pH. Conversely, a drop in pH below normal values will affect a fish from alkaline waters to a greater extent than another from acid waters.
When the pH increases, alsoén the respiratory rate of affected fish is increased; the algae will proliferate in the aquarium consuming nutrients to the detriment of the plants and the bacteria will find a suitable medium to multiply. The latter will find in the stress of the fish a means to become pathogenic and unleash a bacteriosis.
When the pH drops below what is tolerated by the fish , another type of disease known as acidosis occurs in many species. One of the most common reasons for the pH to drop is the excessive presence of organic acids in the aquarium, due to overpopulation and, in some cases, due to a shortage of plants and/or inadequate or insufficient lighting.
Acidosis manifests itself in the form of bloody spills that can affect the body and fins of the fish, bristling of the fins, destruction of the mucosa (and the consequent invasion of pathogenic organisms), lack of balance in swimming (because the low osmotic pressure affects the swim bladder), tremors, death among plants in normal position and, at best, stress.
Just as an excessive low is harmful to most organisms in the aquarium, an imperceptible and gradual low can be beneficial for fish in normal or slightly acidic waters. For example, a pH of 6.8 favors the secretion of the protective mucosa of the fish skin (improving their defenses against infections), but it could affect several aquatic plants. However, there are plants that would benefit from a slightly acidic pH (6.8 for example), such as Cabomba, Anubias and Cryptocoryne.
