Aquarium Water Basics

Ammonia poisoning is one of the biggest killers of aquarium fish. It occurs most often when a tank is newly set up. However, it can also occur in an established tank when too many new fish have been added at one time, when the filter fails due to power or mechanical failure, or if bacterial colonies die off due to the use of medications or sudden change in water conditions. Any time your fish are in distress or you have sudden fish death, consider ammonia as a possible cause.

Algae growth is a fact of life that every aquarium owner will face sooner or later. Some algae growth is normal and healthy, but excess algae growth is unsightly and can be hazardous to fish and plants. Here is what to do about aquarium algae.

Is aquarium water testing really necessary? Some say categorically no, while others test everything and anything. I am a believer in water tests, although what should be tested, and how often, is not a simple answer. Here is what I consider important when it comes to water testing.

One of the questions I'm most often asked to give advice on is the baffling phenomenon of cloudy water. There is no single answer, because there is no single cause. However based on the color and circumstances under which cloudy water appears, it usually can be pinpointed to a couple of basic causes. So don't just take a gunshot approach when trying to solve cloudy water. Get to the root cause, then you'll be able to take the best steps to solve the problem. Here are the basic causes and cures for cloudy water.

The impact of rocks on water chemistery is very real, and often difficult to know about before putting the rocks in the tank.  Here are some ways to determine if those rocks you are about to toss in your tank are safe or not.

The water change killed all my fish! This story is a common, but unfortunate one that have some truth behind the urban legend. Take time to read it, because this kind of story perpetuates the myth that water changes are harmful.

\Nitrite poisoning follows closely on the heels of ammonia as a major killer of aquarium fish. Just when you think you are home free after losing half your fish to ammonia poisoning, the nitrites rise and put your fish at risk again. Anytime ammonia levels are elevated, elevated nitrites will soon follow, and can quickly be lethal. Here is what to look out for.

Call it cycling, nitrification, biological cycle, start-up cycle, break-in cycle, or the nitrogen cycle. No matter what name you use, every newly set up aquarium goes through a process of establishing beneficial bacterial colonies. Older aquariums also go through periods during which the bacterial colonies fluctuate. Failure to understand this process is the largest contributing factor to the loss of fish. Learning what it is, and how to deal with critical periods during the nitrogen cycle, will greatly increase your chances of successful fish keeping

Phosphates (PO4) are present in every aquarium, even though many aquarium owners aren't aware of it. If the aquarium is not properly maintained, the phosphate levels will rise and contribute to algae growth. The results are not only unsightly, but can become harmful to your fish. Learn what causes phosphates to build up in the first place, and how to deal with them before they reach harmful levels.

Should you change your water, and if so how often? Water changes are another issue that is often passionately debated. However, it's one that I won't mince words about - water changes are a must. Here's why.