Using an all-round tester kit check the water from your aquarium. Does it show any presence of ammonia in the water?
Does the tester kit show any presence of nitrite in the water?
Does the tester kit show the presence of nitrate in a concentration higher than 40ppm?
Does the tester kit show a pH level that differs from recommended for your type of fish?
Do you keep your tank at the appropriate temperature, clean and away from direct sunlight?
The number one killer of fish is ammonia. It forms the first part of your tank’s nitrogen cycle and comes from fish waste and uneaten food. Whether your aquarium is fresh or saltwater, you want the ammonia level to be 0.0ppm or undetectable. Any higher and the water could be toxic for your fish and needs to be treated with an ammonia removal product.
The second part of the nitrogen cycle is nitrites. They are the result of ammonia being broken down by the natural bacteria in your tank. Nitrites are toxic and should be in concentrations no greater than 0.0ppm. To contain toxic nitrite levels during a cycle, use a conditioner.
Nitrates come from the break down of nitrites. This compound is not particularly dangerous for fish, but if levels rise it can become toxic and stresses a tank’s inhabitants. For freshwater tanks, nitrate should register below 40ppm. Acceptable levels vary among saltwater ecosystems but are generally lower. An appropriate filter media and regular water changes will keep nitrate levels down.
Recommended pH levels vary depending on the type of fish you’re keeping. A pH ranging from 6.5 to 7.5 is generally safe for most freshwater fish, while saltwater fish thrive in more alkaline water (upwards of 8). A pH alert sensor will let you know when to add pH down or pH up.
Based on your answers the water in your aquarium is healthy for your fish.
Appropriate tank temperature varies greatly between species, so do your research. Use a gravel vacuum to remove any leftover food or fish feces. Make sure your tank is not directly exposed to sunlight.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/petspot/fish/care-and-maintenance-fish/how-can-i-tell-if-my-fish-tank-water-is-healthy/
Sreten null
Hi! I’m Sreten Filipović. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, with a master's degree in Environmental Protection in Agricultural Systems. I’ve worked as a researcher at Finland's Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) on a project aimed at adapting south-western Finland to drought episodes. I founded a consulting agency in the field of environment and agriculture to help farmers who want to implement the principles of sustainability on their farms. I’m also a founding member of the nonprofit organization Ecogenesis from Belgrade whose main goal is non-formal education on the environment and ecology. In my spare time, I like to write blog posts about sustainability, the environment, animal farming, horticulture, and plant protection. I’ve also published several science-fiction short stories.
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreten-filipovi%C4%87-515aa5158/
