One of the most important aspects of any aquarium is water quality. Different species of fish, invertebrates, and even plants need specific ranges of water quality. When you clean an aquarium and perform a water change, you generally use a water conditioner. Water conditioners remove and/or neutralize harmful chemicals and metals, such as chlorine, ammonia, copper, or even selenium.
Water Changes
When I clean my aquarium, I generally start by removing any algae off of the glass. I then siphon out 50% of the water (after I turn the power off to the filter, heater, lights, and CO2). I then prune my plants, and remove any other algae that might be present. I then add the amount of conditioner prescribed by the bottle label to the aquarium. After that, I fill the aquarium up with water. Then I turn the filter, heater, lights and CO2 back on.
Testing the Water Quality
Having a successful aquarium requires good water quality. A good way to ensure you have good water quality is to test your water. There are many test kits out there. These kits can test a wide variety of parameters, such as pH, Carbonate (KH), General Hardness (GH), Nitrite (NO2), Ammonia (NH3 & NH4), and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
When I’m following my aquarium maintenance schedule, I test my water once midweek, and do a 50% water change every Sunday. If my water parameters are off, I do a partial water change and re-test. If the second test is in range, I wait until Sunday for my regular water change.
Causes of Bad Water Quality
There are many causes of bad water quality. Your aquarium might be overstocked, or you might not have a regular maintenance schedule, or an inhabitant may have died and you haven’t seen it yet. Whatever the cause, you can have great water quality in no time.
Suggestions for Great Water Quality
- Make a routine maintenance schedule (and stick to it)
- Weekly water changes
- Clean your filters
- Test your water parameters regulary
- Watch the behavior of your inhabitants
Did I miss anything? Do you have any suggestions? Let me know! =)
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