How to Adjust the PH With a Water Conditioner

The pH is a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of water and is read as a unitless number, based on a scale that ranges from 1.0, which is most acidic to 14.0, which is most alkaline. The mid point of this scale, 7.0, designates a neutral reading. This scale, which is logarithmic, represents the concentration of hydrogen ions in water and each pH unit indicates a tenfold change in the concentration of hydrogen ions. As fish urinate in the aquarium water, pH always falls and must be adjusted back to optimal levels by using specific buffers.

• 1

  Find out which pH is prefered for the fish species in your aquarium. Call a breeder of this species or consult a fish species book. Some species prefer a pH of as low as 5.5 while others thrive in a pH of up to 8.5.

• 2

  Read the instruction manual from the test kit. Test kit brands differ as to the number of drops of indicator solution that are required and the amount of water that must be added to the test vile.

• 3

  Add the required amount of aquarium water to the test vile, using either a syringe or a pipette.

• 4

  Add the required number of drops of pH indicator solution to the vile. Place the cap onto the vile and shake well.

• 5

  Wait for ten seconds and remove the cap.

• 6

  Place the pH color comparison chart on a clean work surface and hold the vile approximately 3-inches, in a vertical position, above the color chart.

• 7

  Look down the vile and compare the color of the fluid in the vile to the different color blocks on the chart.

• 8

  Choose the color on the chart that most closely corresponds to the color of the liquid in the vile.

• 9

  Rinse the vile and cap thoroughly and leave to air dry before returning to the test kit box.

• 10

  Read the instructions on the pH buffer container and calculate the amount that you will need to add to the aquarium to correct the pH.

• 11

  Fill the 1-pint jug with tap water and add 1.5 cc of chlorine neutralizing liquid.

• 12

  Add the required amount of pH buffer to the 1-pint jug and stir well.

• 13

  Add the pH correction buffer to the aquarium.

• 14

  Wait an hour and test the pH of the aquarium water again.