What is pH? A Basic Lesson for Betta Keepers
The word pH is a scientific term that tells us how acidic, neutral, or alkaline (basic) the water is. It. Its values range from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral (pure distilled water), less than 7 means acidic, and more than 7 means alkaline.
The adjustment of pH was initially overlooked by betta owners, but it now receives sufficient consideration. The signs of stress in betta fish due to pH imbalances aren’t always obvious. Unexpected pH crashes, or spikes can occur, which can deteriorate your betta’s health.
Why pH Matters for Your Betta?
If the pH of aquarium water is off, it can cause stress or even harm the fish’s organs. It helps your betta with osmoregulation, which involves balancing the salts and water in its body. The proper pH is key for your betta’s enzymes, which help with digestion, metabolism, and overall health.
Extreme pH levels can damage your betta’s gills, making it harder for them to breathe and get rid of waste. pH affects the toxicity of ammonia in the tank. Ammonia is way more dangerous at higher pH levels.
The Ideal pH Range for Your Betta Fish
In the wild, where betta fish live (paddies, marshes, and streams), the pH value ranges from 6.0 to 7.6. The ideal pH for a betta is 6.8. However, betta fish are quite adaptable and can thrive in a range of pH values, varying from 6.0 to 8.0.
Why Stability Matters More Than Exact Numbers
When it comes to pH in aquarium water of betta fish, never try to achieve the exact ideal value. Stability in pH is far more important than trying to hit an exact number. If your water has a pH value of 8.0, and betta is all fine—don’t mess with pH in order to achieve the ideal value of 6.8 or 7.0. A stable environment with consistent parameters is key to a happy and healthy betta fish.
Remember, the pH scale is logarithmic, which means a slight change in pH can have a significant impact. A pH of 8.4 is 1.58 times more alkaline than 8.0, and 8.5 is over 3 times more alkaline.
If your tank has live plants or a CO2 system, there might be small fluctuations in pH throughout the day, but they are generally acceptable. Frequent or drastic changes in pH can stress your betta.
How to Accurately Test Your Aquarium’s pH?
A true betta owner must know how to test the pH of his aquarium. It helps you catch any problems early before they become big issues. There are several methods for accurately measuring the pH of water.
Liquid Test Kit
This method is considered the most affordable one. To check pH using this method, arrange a clean test tube, pH testing solution, and a color chart. First, take a water sample from your aquarium and add the recommended number of drops of testing solution to it. Then, gently swirl the container to mix and wait until the sample has taken on a color. Now, compare the resulting color of the water sample to a pH chart to find your pH level.
The liquid test kit method is great for regular checks and is affordable over time. It’s accurate for a general range but might not give the exact number. If you observe the image above of a liquid test kit and the water sample to be tested, the color of the sample matches somewhere between 6.0 and 6.4, so you can assign a pH value of 6.3.
Our recommended test kit is the API Freshwater Master Test Kit (check it on Amazon) or the API pH Test Kit.
pH Test Strips
This method is fast, easy and inexpensive for a quick check. To check the pH, dip a test strip into the aquarium water and hold it there for a few seconds. Remove the strip and wait for the color to develop. Now, match the color on the strip with the color chart provided to read the pH.
The test strip method is not entirely accurate, as environmental factors can affect the results. Plus, they don’t last long.
After testing several pH test strips, I found the BACNUNN test strips (check it here on Amazon) to be the best. It’s reliable, safe, and perfect to check the pH of your water.
Digital pH Meters
Digital meters give you the most accurate and instant results. To go with this method, use a Hanna Instrument pH Tester (check it here on Amazon) and calibrate the meter according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, dip the probe into the water and read the digital display to find your pH number. Remember, you’ll need to calibrate these pH meters regularly.
If you’re getting unexpected results, double-check the instructions or try an alternative method. The reason for the unusual results could be an expired or contaminated kit. Always test your tap water pH as well since it can change depending on the season or fluctuations in the local water supply.
Methods to Raise or Lower pH Gradually
Lowering pH Value (Beyond 8.0)
If your pH value goes beyond the upper limit of 8.0, it’s highly concerning. A pH higher than 8.0 may stress your betta, causing him to exhibit signs of distress, such as sinking to the bottom of the tank or twitching. If the pH is consistently high, keep an eye on the fish’s behavior.
To lower the pH value, add Indian Almond leaves (Catappa leaves), driftwood, or Alder cones. These substances release tannins and humic acid into the water, which gradually lowers the pH value and makes the environment more comfortable for your betta.
Another natural way to lower the pH is to add aqua soil or Fluval Stratum. These substrates can lower the pH over time due to their composition. If you are concerned about pH fluctuations, consider using neutral substrates, such as gravel or sand, to maintain a stable environment.
Adding peat moss to your filter bag can also help lower pH gradually. It’s an excellent option for maintaining consistent water chemistry.
Raising pH Values (Below 6.0)
Betta fish can tolerate slightly lower pH values, but if it’s too low, it could affect the nitrogen cycle. Lower pH values slow down the establishment of beneficial bacteria, making it harder to process ammonia.
Don’t let your pH value drop below 6.0. If the pH drops, raise it by adding calcium carbonate rocks, such as dragon stone or crushed coral, to the tank. They gradually increase the pH without causing sudden changes. They can be used as substrate or placed in a filter bag.
Another simple way to boost the pH is to increase the aeration through surface agitation or by adding air stone. It drives off dissolved carbon dioxide, which can slightly raise the pH.
Using pH Adjusters
These are the chemical substances used to artificially alter the pH of water. However, they can cause rapid and stressful pH swings. Therefore, avoid using chemical pH adjusters as a first resort. These chemicals can also affect other parameters, such as water hardness (KH).
The pH-up adjusters are sodium carbonate (soda ash) or potassium carbonate. These substances increase the alkalinity of the water, making it less acidic. The pH-down adjusters include phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, or citric acid. These acids lower the water’s alkalinity, making it more acidic.
KH, GH, and pH
To better manage pH, it is essential to understand the concepts of General Hardness (GH) and Carbonate Hardness (KH). If your water has high GH and KH, it may be challenging to lower the pH effectively.
A higher pH value can raise the hardness of water. Betta fish exposed to hard water may experience skin irritation, gill problems, and internal organ damage due to mineral buildup, especially in the kidneys.
So, when dealing with higher pH values, never top off the tank with tap water, as it contains minerals that can further increase the hardness of the water, which in turn affects the pH. Use RO water for top-offs as part of water changes to dilute the hardness. On the other side, if your KH is too low, the pH can fluctuate more easily. A consistent KH level is necessary to maintain a stable pH.
Conclusion
It is essential for betta fish owners to understand the concept of pH. The most important thing to consider while adjusting the pH is to do so naturally and gradually. Never attempt to adjust pH with substances that cause drastic changes, such as chemical adjusters. By using a combination of RO water, natural methods like driftwood and almond leaves, and understanding your tank’s GH and KH, you can create a stable and healthy environment for your betta fish.
