Simple Speak: Water Chemistry, Nitrogen Cycle and Aquarium Set-up Tips!
Do you know what's in your aquarium water? You know your pet fish don't live in water straight from the tap or bottled from the store. This guide will give you a basic understanding of water chemistry and water cycles. We'll discuss pH, general hardness, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrites, and how they feed into the nitrogen cycle.
The Basics of Water Chemistry
Water has several measurable characteristics. These levels ebb and flow week to week. Here's what you need to know!
About pH
The first aspect of water chemistry fish keepers should learn about is pH. This measurement lets you know if the water is neutral (a pH of 7), acidic (below 7), or basic/alkaline (above 7). Most aquarium fish thrive in 6.5 to 7.7 pH levels.
Rapid changes in pH levels can cause stress to your fishy friends. It's important to keep Aqueon 7-in-1 Aquarium Test Strips on hand to test the pH (and other things we'll discuss shortly) in your aquarium water.
Learn more about managing and adjusting the pH levels in your fish tank in the Aquarium pH: How to Safely Adjust pH guide.
About General Hardness (GH)
A second measurement to monitor with your test strips is the water's general hardness. This refers to the amount of dissolved magnesium and calcium ions present in the water.
Some fish prefer "harder" water with more mineral content, which is approximately 140-530 ppm. Freshwater sharks enjoy water as hard as 175ppm. If your fish like "softer" water, strive for 0-140ppm. Angelfish, corydoras, and gouramis prefer softer water.
About Ammonia
Ammonia forms in your aquarium when uneaten fish food or live plants decompose in the water. Fish also excrete ammonia from their gills, and in smaller amounts, through urine and feces.
When ammonia builds up in the water, it causes stress to your fish. They may experience difficulties releasing their own ammonia, as well as gill or organ damage.
Use test strips to check ammonia levels in your aquarium. As the number rises, it's a good indicator to do a water change and clean/replace your water filter cartridge. The use of Ammonia Neutralizers can also help condition and balance the water.
Learn how to detect and fix ammonia issues in your aquarium to help keep ammonia levels at a healthy level.
About Nitrates and Nitrites
As bacteria in the fish tank break down ammonia, nitrites form. This substance is toxic to fish.
If your test strips show the presence of nitrites, it's imperative to clean your aquarium immediately. You may also want to check the chloride levels in the tank. These should be six times greater than nitrite levels. Elevate them by adding aquarium salt.
Sometimes ammonia, and in turn nitrite levels, get too high because there are too many fish in the aquarium. (A good rule of thumb is to keep one inch of adult-size fish per gallon of water.) Nitrites can also elevate when using a filter that's too small for the aquarium, the filter needs cleaning, you're overfeeding the fish, or the pH levels have dropped.
Nitrates form when nitrites get broken down by bacteria. Generally, this does not harm fish unless the levels are high. Nitrates get absorbed by live aquatic plants and wash away during water changes. Although it's not a common issue, nitrates may produce nitrogen gas bubbles. These can get lodged in fish gills, fins, and skin and cause illness or even death.
What is the nitrogen cycle?
If you're setting up your very first fish tank or you're diving back into your old aquarium hobby, you'll experience the nitrogen cycle first-hand. Sometimes this is called a nitrogen bloom or cycling your aquarium. It's a necessary part of establishing good nitrite-busting bacteria in your new underwater world.
The nitrogen cycle is a series of events that happens after you fill your aquarium with tap or bottled water for the first time. After running the filter for 24-48 hours, seed your aquarium with a small amount of aquarium gravel from a friend's established setup, or use a biological starter product like Aqueon PURE.
After a few days, you can add one or two fish to start producing ammonia. This triggers nitrite and nitrate formation. Remember you do need low levels of these water chemistry components to keep your fish happy and healthy. Fish cannot live in purified, clean drinking water!
It is common to notice the water gets cloudy during this cycle. It means bacteria are forming (that you want), and the water is starting to cycle or balance itself. You may notice cloudiness during your first week of aquarium setup. As long as your test strips show normal levels of ammonia and nitrite, your fish tank is fine. Be patient. The water will become clear.
Learn more about the nitrogen cycle in Freshwater Aquarium Water Quality: The Nitrogen Cycle & Optimal Water Chemistry.
Understanding Your Aquarium Water
You can better maintain your aquarium once you know what's in it (beyond your fish and plants!). Using test strips weekly gives you the information you need.
Then, you can easily balance with water as needed with helpful additives from Aqueon, including AquaPacs Ammonia Reducer, AquaPacs Water Clarifier, and AquaPacs Water Conditioner.
From diagnosing water issues, managing bacteria, and understanding water filtration, we have the resources you need:
How to Choose the Best Filter for You and Your Tank
