Water Chemistry

How to adjust and stabilize pH, KH, nitrates and GH

Water chemistry is one of the most important engines of the aquarium. Water chemistry governs every factor within the aquarium directly effects the health of fish and aquatic plants. Water from the tap can often have a water chemistry that makes it unfit for direct use in the aquarium. In these cases it may need to be adjusted to the species of fish or plant in the aquarium. This guide paves the way to easily adjusting your pH, KH, GH and other parameters.

A look at pH


Changing the pH


Ammonia and Nitrites


Nitrates


Water hardness KH and GH


Raising the KH


GH


Adjusting the GH



Water chemistry in the aquarium

These are the basics for water chemistry but before you actually decide to go make any changes, realise that the fish may be just as happy as they are now and attempting the change the parameters is difficult and could potentially end in disaster. Think twice before attempting to adjust the water parameters in the aquarium.