What You Should Know About pH in a Reef Tank
For a healthy marine environment, it’s important to keep the water in the tank at the right temperature, light level, and pH level. The pH levels in your reef tank need to stay steady so that different species can live there. These tips will teach you about pH levels in a reef tank and how to keep them at the right amounts.
What does pH mean?
The pH level of a liquid tells you how acidic or basic it is if it is between 0 and 14. If it’s less than 7, it’s normal. If it’s less than 0, it’s acidic, and if it’s less than 14, it’s basic. In that order,. The pH scale is often used to check the strength of chemicals. When you set up a saltwater tank, you should keep in mind that ocean water has its own pH.
What is the best pH level for a reef tank?
With an alkalinity of about 7.6, salt water is more neutral or basic on the pH scale. Do not add more salt to the water you make for your reef tank. It might be bad for your fish and the gear in your tank. Salt water with a pH level between 7.6 and 8.4 is best for keeping things in balance. These numbers might change, though, if your fish likes something different.
How to Keep an Eye on Your Tank’s pH
A good way to take care of your tank is to check the chemical amounts of the water in it often. Part of this is the pH and things like calcium, nitrogen, and nitrate. When you add new things to the tank, the pH can change, so you need to check it often to keep the fish and corals healthy. There are test strips that can be used to find the pH. There is a scale with different numbers that shows what color the strip should be on when you put it in the water in the tank.