| How to | | | | the water is too alkalinity or acidy: Keep in mind |
| How to check aquarium water | | | | that discus from the symphysodon aequifasciata |
| Today, aquariums have advanced to the point | | | | specimen enjoy acidy waters. If you have cichlids |
| that the tanks are self-sufficient. Water conditions | | | | from Rift Valley, these fish prefer alkaline. |
| are important to check, since in each area of the | | | | How do I test water? |
| world, water is different. In fact, some area | | | | You will need to purchase a test kit. You can |
| waters are more contaminated than other areas. | | | | purchase test kits online or preferably at your |
| The types of fish factors into water, as well | | | | local pet store. Of course, you can purchase the |
| plants play a role too. Tetras is a type of fish, | | | | kits online, but if you are not familiar with the |
| which naturally habitats in rainwater, or when in | | | | types, it is best to purchase at a pet store. The |
| aquariums the fish enjoys soft waters. Therefore, | | | | test kits will provide you a read out of chemicals |
| when you test waters for these fish make sure | | | | in the water as well, such as chlorine. There should |
| that the waters are soft. | | | | not be chlorine in the waters; however, tap water |
| Cichlid is another species of fish that prefer | | | | may have such chemicals. Water conditioners are |
| harder water. The specimens came from the Rift | | | | ideal. When you setup your tank and each time |
| Valleys of Africa, which contains dissolved salt. | | | | you refill the tank you should use water |
| The salt was available from natural sources, such | | | | conditioners. |
| as lakes and rock lining. | | | | Tip: If you have a heater in the tank, keep the |
| How do I avoid hardening the water? | | | | volume low. |
| If you want hard waters, then do not add | | | | Living Room: |
| limestone. Limestone should be avoided, especially | | | | Typically, it is not recommended that you locate |
| if you intend to use it as rocks or gravel. | | | | your aquarium in a living room. Since most living |
| How can I tell the condition of waters after | | | | rooms are too warm, the fish will feel agitated. |
| testing pH? | | | | However, if you have tropical fish as well as |
| After you test the waters, pH readings should | | | | plants you will have fewer problems. Plants and |
| give you a figure. If the number is below seven, | | | | fish from the tropical regions tend to adapt well |
| then the water is acidy. If the figure is higher than | | | | to higher water or room temperature. Using a |
| seven are then the water is alkalinity or alkaline. | | | | heater in the tank can help you preserve your |
| The neutral pH figure is pH7. If the water | | | | fish, yet you want to keep the heater on low |
| conditions are below or higher than this figure | | | | volume. Maintaining a volume of heat will also |
| then your water is too alkalinity and/or acidity. If | | | | prolong the life of your heater. |
| you maintain a correct temperature and balance | | | | If you are heating your aquarium, take the easy |
| of water, your fish and plants will live long and | | | | way out. Some heaters include heaterstats, which |
| healthy. | | | | will help you regulate heat. Heaterstats are |
| Tip: | | | | thermostatically controlled devices, which fix to |
| Red Nosed Tetra prefers freedom to swim and | | | | the corners of an aquarium. You can use suction |
| density of plants. | | | | cups to mount the heater. The heater has a small |
| If you have test water keep in mind that tap | | | | lamp, which will click on each time the heater is |
| water has pH7 or pH8 reading usually. If the | | | | activated. |
| gauge reads higher or else lower, it means that | | | | |