Controlling the gradual changes in water of both its chemistry and characteristics in the aquarium water as time goes by is important. This entire series of tips on the water used in the aquarium is meant to heighten your awareness of the ever changing qualities of water. It is a liquid that is not stable or steady,it changes as time goes by. Since it is the universal solvent, it is continuously dissolving compounds in the aquarium and changing its characteristics over time. The amount of life that it supports also changes the compounds and characteristics over time as well.
Most life processes will create acid by-products, creating some large changes in water. These compounds are also added to the chemical soup that fish find themselves kept in. The bacteria responsible for decay and which work on all organic material also create more acids as they do their work.
Gradually, over time, if there is nothing done to prevent it, the water will tend to get more and more acid in nature. If there are compounds that can be dissolved by this acid in the substrate or decorations; alkalinity is created which may help to balance those acidifying effects - but you should never count on that. In most cases the aquarium pH will be gradually lowered over time
The removal and replacement of water (NOT the simple replacement of evaporated loss) will help greatly in maintaining an even and safe level of pH and hardness over time. If evaporation only is replaced, the water will continue to concentrate many hardening elements and nitrate and acidifying agents will not be diluted. As time goes by, any new water added will be more and more different from the water in the tank, especially as the set-up matures and ages. Regular maintenance of the water through partial contents removal using a gravel cleaner, and replacement with conditioned tap water helps to dilute a lot of compounds, most notably nitrate, which doesn't go away any other way.
Standard maintenance also keeps the tank from getting too hard or losing its buffer which could allow sudden varying of pH in wide swings. Regular water changes stably maintain a number of the characteristics that fish require for their ongoing good health.
Without even and consistent water characteristics, the fish will become severely stressed and lose their ability to ward off the effects of changes, even gradual changes, in their habitat.
Steve Pond
Blueram Group
Visit our website, http://www.freshwater-tropical-fish-tanks.com for our extensive Aquarium Tips and FAQ section to view the video versions of these tips on water and other topics designed to help any aquarist understand the environment that you have created. Freshwater Tropical Fish Tanks is dedicated to providing the information required to be a successful novice aquarist.
Keep tropical fish alive and thriving in your first aquarium through the critical first six week period after installation and beyond. Visit the BlueRam Group's website Freshwater Tropical Fish Tanks for detailed information on all aspects of the beginning and advanced aquarium.
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