How To Increase pH Levels In A Fish Tank! (6 Different Ways To Raise Aquarium pH Levels) скачать в хорошем качестве

How To Increase pH Levels In A Fish Tank! (6 Different Ways To Raise Aquarium pH Levels)

In this video, I dive into several effective methods you can use to raise aquarium pH, GH, and KH levels, which is especially useful if, like me, you have soft tap water. If you’re keeping species that thrive in harder water conditions, such as guppies, platies, African cichlids, or rainbowfish, then this guide can help you maintain the right water parameters for your tank. The first method I cover is using tap water from a high pH area, which can be a surprisingly simple option if it’s available to you. Water distribution varies across regions, and you may find different pH levels depending on where you live. I show you a map of water distribution in my area and explain how just a short trip to my parents' house allows me to collect hard water for my tanks. While this might not be an option for everyone, it’s a method I plan to try with my guppy tank next year to see how well it works. Next, I talk about mineral salts, which I use regularly in my shrimp tanks to ensure successful molting by boosting GH levels. There are various mineral salts available, specifically designed for different species, such as guppies, cichlids, and shrimp. Each product offers a particular balance of calcium and magnesium, so it’s essential to choose one that matches the needs of your fish or shrimp. For example, cichlid salts increase hardness without significantly affecting pH, while shrimp-specific salts like those for Taiwan Bee shrimp maintain a lower pH. I explain how these salts can be used to control water hardness and pH, depending on your setup. I also explore the use of rocks like Seiryu Stone, which can naturally raise pH, GH, and KH levels. This type of rock slowly releases minerals into the water, making it a popular choice for people with soft water who want to keep hardwater species. I’ve had success using Seiryu Stone in a guppy tank, and I plan to incorporate it in future setups. Keep in mind that the stone can have varying effects depending on its origin, as genuine Seiryu Stone is no longer exported from Japan, meaning some alternatives may not provide the same results. Crushed coral is another natural option I’ve used to increase pH levels in my guppy tanks. Crushed coral gradually dissolves in the water, raising pH, GH, and KH levels over time. It’s an affordable solution, and a small amount can last for months. However, because different types of coral are often mixed, the results can be a bit unpredictable, especially when it comes to maintaining the specific mineral balance needed for shrimp. Still, it can be an excellent choice for raising pH in fish tanks, and I discuss how I’ve used it both in my tank’s substrate and filter. I also discuss my experiences with commercial pH buffers, such as API’s pH Up and Proper pH 7.5. These products can raise pH quickly, but I found that they sometimes cause undesirable side effects in the tank. For example, after using pH Up, I noticed my guppies and shrimp became overly active, and I had to perform a water change to restore balance. While Proper pH 7.5 wasn’t as drastic, I did see my guppies flashing against plants, which suggests irritation. Because of these experiences, I’ve opted to use slower, more natural methods instead. Another important point I cover is the impact of removing pH-lowering materials from your tank, such as aquasoil or driftwood. These materials can gradually reduce pH over time, which might counteract any efforts to raise it. I suggest using inert substrates or styles of aquascaping that don’t rely on driftwood, especially if you’re trying to maintain a higher pH. Some aquascapes, like Iwagumi, don’t use driftwood at all and still create stunning visuals, making them a great option for hardwater tanks. Finally, I briefly mention two methods I haven’t tried yet—Aragonite and cuttlebone. Both are known to raise pH levels gradually. Aragonite can be used as a substrate or placed in a filter to passively increase pH to around 8.2. Similarly, cuttlebone can be placed in the tank or filter, and it raises pH levels to around 7.8. While I haven’t used these myself, I’ve read many positive experiences from others who have had success with them. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 00:25 - Method 1 01:30 - Method 2 03:05 - Method 3 04:19 - Method 4 05:36 - Method 5 06:57 - Method 6 Image Licence Peter Kirwan, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Some of the links in this video description may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission from any purchases made.