Freshwater

In This Chapter
Keeping your tank clean
Knowing the nitrogen cycle
Pondering pH and hardness
Testing water conditions
Chapter 14
The Nitrogen Cycle
and Water Testing
Water quality is an important element in maintaining a successful aquarium
system, so it is important that you learn a few basics about water
chemistry such as the nitrogen cycle, pH, and hardness. Excellent water conditions
in your aquarium will allow your pets to live long and healthy lives.
Poor water conditions can leave your fish in poor health or cause their
demise. Fortunately, monitoring and maintaining proper water conditions for
each species can be easily done with a few simple test kits.
Take the time to monitor your water conditions on a weekly basis so that you
can correct any problems with ease. Your fish have to live in their aquarium
water 24 hours a day. Make sure that you provide them with the best conditions
possible.
Eliminating Fish Waste
Your fish are gonna look great swimming around in your new tank. The water
and the decorations are going to look sparkling clean and will impress everyone.
But it won’t stay that way without proper biological filtration and cycling,
because your fish have to settle themselves with Mother Nature each and every
day. Depending on the total number of fish in your tank, that can quickly add up