Ideal Parameters

Overview

  • Given that not all freshwater fish and invertebrates require the same temperature, there are general recommendations for freshwater fish that replicate temperatures found in their native habitats.

  • Excess ammonia is detrimental to the health of your aquatic life. Keeping ammonia in check is an on-going process as ammonia is continually added to the aquarium through fish waste, and as leftover food and other dead matter decays. Monitoring and amending the water to deal with ammonia is essential.

  • Nitrite is a toxic byproduct of the nitrogen cycle. It is often broken down and used by plants in a planted aquarium or it can be removed with water changes.

  • Nitrate is a chemical compound that is formed during the final stage of the nitrogen cycle. It is the least toxic nitrogen byproduct and is often used by live plants. High nitrate levels are dangerous to aquarium inhabitants.

  • Phosphate is created in the home aquarium when waste materials break down. While low levels of Phosphates do not create a problem, higher levels can promote algae to the point it can overrun an aquarium if not kept in check. Routine filtering and tank maintenance are important activities in keeping Phosphate at constant levels.

  • Simply put, Specific Gravity is the measurement of the amount of salt in aquarium water, as compared to pure water.

  • Carbonate Hardness is an indicator of the water’s buffering capacity and measures the dissolved bicarbonate and carbonate ions in the water. The KH reading relates to the alkaline makeup of the aquarium water.

  • General Hardness (GH) measures calcium and magnesium levels in the water. Monitoring is especially important for those who are breeding fish but should still be measured in other aquariums so the aquarist can use that knowledge to create the necessary water conditions for their aquatic life.

  • pH is the measurement of alkalinity or acidity within water. The reading of a 0 is neutral. Levels of 1 to 6 indicate the water is acidic. Readings of 7 to 14 means the water is alkaline. Your water’s Carbonate Hardness must be considered if you wish to adjust your pH because soft water takes changes more readily than hard water does.

  • It is essential for reef aquariums to contain Calcium, as it is a necessary mineral for corals, mollusks, or other aquatic life with a skeletal structure. Calcium dosing can be conducted manually, or automatically on a set schedule.

  • Magnesium plays an essential role in the reef aquarium. Its purpose is to bind to the calcium carbonate crystals to keep them from growing. This stabilizes calcium and alkalinity levels and keeps them from combining. If they do combine, it is called precipitation and then the elements individually are unstable for the corals in the aquarium.

  • Iodine is a mineral required by virtually every living animal. In the reef aquarium, Iodine levels require monitoring and adjusting to ensure the health of corals and invertebrates. Iodine helps corals adapt to varying light conditions and helps protect their tissues from UV damage. It also is essential for crustaceans who molt, as iodine is necessary to maintain exoskeleton health.

  • Strontium is an element that, similar to calcium, helps corals and coralline algae develop strong skeletons.

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Freshwater Community:

  • 72 - 82 °F
    22 - 27 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 50.0 ppm

  • 4 - 8 KH
    71 - 143 ppm

  • 4 - 12 GH
    71 - 214 ppm

  • 6.5 - 7.5

  • < 1.0 ppm

African Cichlid:

  • 72 - 82 °F
    22 - 27 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 50.0 ppm

  • 10 - 18 KH
    179 - 321 ppm

  • 12 - 20 GH
    214 - 357 ppm

  • 7.8 - 8.5

  • < 1.0 ppm

Freshwater Plants & Discus:

  • 76 - 86 °F
    24 - 30 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 30.0 ppm

  • 3 - 8 KH
    54 - 143 ppm

  • 3 - 12 dKH
    54 - 214 ppm

  • 6.0 - 7.5

  • < 1.0 ppm

Brackish:

  • 72 - 82 °F
    22 - 27 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 50.0 ppm

  • 10 - 18 KH
    179 - 321 ppm

  • 12 - 20 GH
    214 - 357 ppm

  • 7.5 - 8.4

  • < 1.0 ppm

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Pond:

  • 33 - 86 °F
    1 - 30 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 50.0 ppm

  • 4 - 8 KH
    71 - 143 ppm

  • 4 - 12 GH
    71 - 214 ppm

  • 6.5 - 7.5

  • < 1.0 ppm

Marine Fish Only:

  • 72 - 82 °F
    22 - 27 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 30.0 ppm

  • < 1.0 ppm

  • 1.020 - 1.025 SG
    28.8 - 35.5 ppt

  • ~200 - 500 mV

    The ocean's ORP averages 300-450 mV. While replicating this in reef tanks can be difficult, a range of 200-500 mV is generally safe for fish and plants.

  • 8 - 12 dKH
    143 - 214 ppm

  • 8.1 - 8.4

  • 350 - 450 ppm

  • 1150 - 1350 ppm

  • 0.04 - 0.10 ppm

  • 4 - 10 ppm

Reef:

  • 72 - 82 °F
    22 - 27 °C

  • Undetectable

  • Undetectable

  • < 30.0 ppm

  • < 0.2 ppm

  • 1.023 - 1.025 SG
    32.8 - 35.5 ppt

  • ~200 - 500 mV

    The ocean's ORP averages 300-450 mV. While replicating this in reef tanks can be difficult, a range of 200-500 mV is generally safe for fish and plants.

  • 8 - 12 dKH
    143 - 214 ppm

  • 8.1 - 8.4

  • 350 - 450 ppm

  • 1250 - 1350 ppm

  • 0.06 - 0.10 ppm

  • 8 - 14 ppm