Normal pH
All Fish have an ideal pH range. Some fish, especially Cichlids from Africa’s Rift Lakes, require a higher pH than can be tested with a standard test kit. Certain events, namely biological filtration of an aquarium, tend to reduce the carbonate hardness value and therefore lower the pH. Also, certain influences like carbon dioxide, can affect the reading of the pH value.
Biological Filtration
The assimilation of waste by bacteria in the filter of an aquarium is an acidifying process and in time will reduce the carbonate hardness value of the water. As this occurs, the pH value will fall.
pH Adjustment
The basis of pH in the African Cichlid aquarium is Carbonate Hardness, also called kH or Alkalinity. This HIGH RANGE pH TEST KIT is best used in conjunction with the Aquasonic CARBONATE HARDNESS TEST KIT. Carbonate Hardness should be maintained over 100ppm, but no more than 260ppm. This will provide stable, high pH, helping your African Cichlids to thrive. Carbonate Hardness is quickly and easily increased using Aquasonic CARBONATE HARDNESS GENERATOR. If the carbonate hardness value of an aquarium is correct, yet pH values are not, then the influence of carbon dioxide should be considered.
Directions for Use
- Rinse a clean test tube and cap several times in water to be tested.
- Fill the test tube to the 10mL mark
- Add 10 drops of pH indicator and swirl
- Place the test tube on the white background of the colour chart, view vertically with the light behind you. The colour in the test tube is best viewed with natural light. View immediately.
