Water Parameters

To assess the health of most pets, you would take the animal's temperature, listen to the heart and lungs, discuss  diet, and perhaps perform some blood tests. One way to assess the health of an aquarium is to monitor water  parameters. Making sure your tank has all of the appropriate water parameters and environmental requirements a  particular species needs is one way to assure your tank is healthy.  Freshwater parameters  The following chart is a general guideline of acceptable water parameter ranges for different types of freshwater  aquariums, brackish water aquariums and ponds. The water parameters listed are a general guideline for  maintaining each specific type of aquarium or pond. Some species of fish, plants or invertebrates may have more  specific requirements so please review each individual species description for more information. Freshwater Parameters Freshwater Community African Cichlid Freshwater Plants & Discus Brackish Pond Temperature 72 - 82°F 72 - 82°F 76 - 86°F 72 - 82°F 33 - 86°F pH 6.5 - 7.5 7.8 - 8.5 6.0 - 7.5 7.5 - 8.4 6.5 - 7.5 Ammonia 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Nitrite 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Nitrate < 50 ppm < 50 ppm < 30 ppm < 50 ppm < 50 ppm Alkalinity (Carbonate Hardness) 4 - 8 KH 10 - 18 KH 3 - 8 KH 10 - 18 KH 4 - 8 KH General Hardness 4 - 12 GH 12 - 20 GH 3 - 8 GH 12 - 20 GH 4 - 12 GH  Marine parameters The following chart is a general guideline of acceptable water parameter ranges for different types of tropical marine aquariums. Some types of displays such as FOWLR (Fish Only With Live Rock) aquariums have a broader range of parameters than a reef aquarium. This is due to the delicate nature of corals and invertebrates that are commonly maintained in a reef aquarium. Some species of fish, plants or invertebrates may have special requirements, so please review each individual species description for more specific information. For reference, we have also provided the average water conditions measured on tropical coral reefs across the world. Marine Parameters Suggested Level: Reef Aquarium Suggested Level: FOWLR Aquarium Average Level: Coral Reefs Specific Gravity 1.023 - 1.025 1.020 - 1.025 1.025 Temperature 72 - 78°F 72 - 78°F 82°F pH 8.1 - 8.4 8.1 - 8.4 8.0 - 8.5 Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH 8 - 12 dKH 6 - 8 dKH Ammonia (NH3) Undetectable Undetectable Near Zero Nitrite (NO2) Undetectable Undetectable Near Zero Nitrate - Nitrogen (NO3) < 1.0 ppm < 30 ppm < 0.25 ppm Phosphate (PO4) < 0.2 ppm < 1.0 ppm < 0.13 ppm Calcium 350 - 450 ppm 350 - 450 ppm 380 - 420 ppm Magnesium 1250 - 1350 ppm 1150 - 1350 ppm 1300 ppm Iodine 0.06 - 0.10 ppm 0.04 - 0.10 ppm 0.06 ppm Strontium 8 - 14 ppm 4 - 10 ppm 8 - 10 ppm homepage