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