FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Basic Water Chemistry
There are a lot of test kits and test stripes available, but just testing and not knowing how to make the right adjustments and without understanding the correlation of these parameters can become deadly for your fish.
Water chemistry is a highly complex topic and also includes the areas of microbiology and biochemistry, and can become very complicated.
Some terms we use might not be scientifically 100% correct. We just want to keep the information as simple as possible for an easier understanding.
Temperature is important but very simple to control, hence we omit this topic completely.
IMPORTANT PARAMETERS
4 Parameters Check
GH, KH
Definition
GH General hardness or total hardness (GH), refers to the dissolved concentration earth metals. “ Soft water” means a low GH.
Carbonate hardness (KH) shows us how much calcium (bicarbonate HCO3 and carbonate CO3) we have in our water.
To make it simpler, we consider Carbonate hardness (KH) as part of the total hardness (GH). Chemically not correct, but easy to remember that the total hardness (GH) will be always higher than the carbonate hardness (KH).
Last but not least, our tap water in Singapore is consider soft and ideal for most ornamental fish, even wild caught ones, so we don’t really need to worry too much about it.
PH
Definition
In general the PH over time at our tanks will drop due to the chemical processes of the nitrogen cycle. In order to have a stable PH, people often use calcium as a buffer.
“Add choral chips or oyster shells in your tank, that slowly release calcium and buffers the ph.”
This is not 100% correct, but explains roughly what KH does. For us fish keepers we can go with it. Choral chips release calcium. It will be more difficult for PH to drop because first the calcium has to be dissolved.
Scientifically buffers are substances containing mild acids or leaches. They release H or OH and therefore can influence the Ph.
EC
Definition
Electrical conductivity (EC) is the ability of substance to transfer heat, electricity, or sound, which is measured in Siemens or Micro Siemens per meter.
RO water has 0 conductivity, whereby our tap water in Singapore is about 180-270 micro siemens.
RO water all substances have been removed. Tab water in Singapore higher conductivity, because it might contain Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Chlorine, Sulfate.
->The cleaner the water the lower the Electrical conductivity (EC).
Electrical conductivity (EC) is just giving an overview of all substances in our tank water and not which one, but in will show us how polluted our water will get over time by feeding and adding other aquatic products.
EC meters are furthermore required when recharging Nitrate filters and other chemical filtration.
ORP
Definition
Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measures the ability of a lake or river to cleanse itself or break down waste products, such as contaminants and dead plants and animals. The result is given in mV. When the ORP value is high, there is lots of oxygen present in the water.
This means that bacteria that decompose dead tissue and contaminants can work more efficiently. In general, the higher the ORP value, the healthier the lake or river is.
By installing ozonizer at tanks we can influence the ORP.
For fresh water fish tanks the ORP should be between 250-400 mv.
DID YOU KNOW?
Fact Check
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate can be ignored because our filtration devices will make sure it stays at the minimal level.
Chlorine is a parameter we don’t measure, because we use Anti Chlorine if we add tap water to our tanks in order to eliminate the toxic Chlorine.
In order to keep things as simple as possible, we just focus on the PH, the EC, the ORP, and make sure our tap water comes with the right GH, KH our fish require.
Tips & Tricks
Quality of Fish food
Place 1 g of fish food in 100 ml of Ro water or distilled water (0 µS/cm) for 15 to 30 minutes. Afterwards measure the EC again.
Especially flakes or granules you at a high quality you should measure below 450 (µS/cm). Cheaper food which uses a lot of fish meal which is high in salt will lead to a higher EC.
EC meter
For 50 SGD you get a decent EC meter. Just make sure the meter measures the temperature and the EC at the same time.
Cheap meters without temperature sensors show different EC values for the same water if the temperature changes.
Osmotic pressure
Too high Electrical conductivity (EC) and the too much osmotic pressure can be a reason why a eggs don’t develop. The protective shell of the spawn has adapted to the conditions in natural habitats for millions of years. Breeders might want to consider using water with lower EC for their breeding pairs.
USEFUL ELECTRONIC HELPERS
Highly Important Meters
EC meter
EC meters are required for recharging our LSL Nitrate King. You also can use this meter to determine when you need to change water or operate the Demineralizer Kings, and can use it to check if the Demineralizer Kings work properly or need to be recharged.
PH, Temperature
There are some decent Ph meters in the market with wifi function even. This gives you a constant update on your PH levels even though you are not at home.
On top if it these meters normally display the water temperature as well.
ORP meter
An ORP meter is not a must. They are expensive and our Ozonizer Kings come with the right settings and there is no adjustment required.
Test stripes to measure how many germs our tank water contains are common in Europe, but rather rare in Asia.
UNDERSTANDING
How To Manage Your Tank
Multiple Purpose Meter
Electrical Conductivity (EC) Meter
Monitor the EC of your tank water and decide when to conduct water change or run your demineralizer system.
Monitor the perfomance of the Deminarlizer Kings or Jack with this electronical gadget.
WHY CHOOSE LSL AQUATICS?
Complete Package
Complete product portfolio to run your tank stable and smooth
Unique Products
Unique Products no common fish store offers
One Stop Solution
Filtration, Fish food, water conditioners, electronics, consulting
Efficiency
Run tanks with lesser effort changing water
Sustainability
Lesser water waste, lesser time maintenance
Healthier Fish
There is no doubt about good water will heal your fish.