Guppies are hardy fish that beginners prefer to add to their aquarium. Guppies can live in a wide range of water conditions, but what about the parameters? We will talk about the parameters required for guppies, like water pH. So, what is the best pH level for guppies? Let us find out.
6.8-7.8 is the best ph level between which your guppy will thrive. However, more important is the stability of the water pH. Unstable water pH levels will make your guppies vulnerable to illness. So, make sure not to make a sudden and major change in the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
We will discuss how to increase or decrease the water pH level of our guppies aquarium in this article. Also, we will discuss how to measure the water pH level. So let us get into it.
Contents
Does pH level affect guppies?
The wrong pH level can affect your guppies health.
However, guppies are tough and won’t come into critical condition because of issues in pH levels.
Maintain the pH level of 6.8-7.8.
Especially, keep a regular check on pH levels and parameters when your guppies are young.
Young guppies are vulnerable to water conditions and parameters and can affect their health if any issue occurs with water conditions and parameters.
Usually, guppies will not come into the condition of passing away because of pH level. Still, you should maintain pH levels to ensure they live a long life happily and comfortably.
Ideal water requirement of guppies.
Particulars | Requirement |
Water temperature | 72-82°F |
Water pH level | 6.8-7.8 |
How to measure pH level?
You can easily test the water pH level of your guppies aquarium by using a pH testing kit.
The pH testing kit is also easily available online, one you can buy from amazon.
The steps of using a pH testing kit are as follows:
- There will be a test tube inside the kit. Add some tank water to that test tube.
- Then, add the testing solution also in that test tube.
- Now all you have to do is see the color which appears and then match it from the color in the list. This will tell you the pH level of your water.
There are many pH testing kits available on the market.
The majority will be there to measure the pH level between 5-9.
The reason behind this is the majority of freshwater fishes thrive in the range of 5-9 pH levels.
However, try finding the pH testing kit which can measure a narrower range as it will give you a more accurate result.
If you don’t want to use a pH testing kit, you can use a digital pH tester.
A digital pH tester is also very easy to use and will give you a more accurate result.
Once you find out the pH level of your guppies aquarium water, you can increase or decrease the pH level as needed.
How to increase pH level?
There are many ways to increase the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water:
- Regular water change
- Adding marine salt
- Adding seashells
- Adding baking soda
- Adding crushed coral
Regular water change
Planted tank with the injection of carbon dioxide will lower the pH level faster than usual.
A regular water change will help maintain the pH level in such a case.
Adding marine salt
Using marine salt will also help increase the water pH level.
Add one tablespoon of marine salt per one gallon of water to increase your guppy’s aquarium water level.
Make sure not to use table salt or iodized salt.
Adding seashells
Adding 1-2 seashells per one gallon of water will also help you increase the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
Seashells contain carbonates which will dissolve in the water over time and help increase the pH level.
Adding baking soda
Add one teaspoon of baking soda per five gallons of water in your guppies aquarium.
This method is not harmful to your guppies.
Make sure to remove your guppies from the tank before performing this method.
Once the water pH level increases, you can reintroduce your guppies to their aquarium.
The problem with the pH level is one thing, but you must know that the instability in pH level causes more issues than lower or higher pH levels.
So, make sure not to increase the pH level suddenly, and also, there should not be a major increase in pH level at a time.
Your guppy will find it difficult to adjust to a quick increase of pH at a major level, affecting your guppy’s health.
Adding crushed coral
The substrate can be the primary reason behind the decreasing water pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
Consider removing the substrate and adding crushed coral or limestone.
Adding coral and limestone will help you increase the water pH level.
Make sure to remove your guppies first before changing the substrate.
How to decrease pH level?
These are the ways of decreasing the pH level of your guppies aquarium water:
- Add peat moss bag into the filter.
- Add driftwood to your aquarium.
- Decrease the amount of aeration from your guppies aquarium.
- Use carbon dioxide.
- Add RO water to your guppies aquarium.
Peat moss
This is the most common way of decreasing the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
You have to add peat moss in a bag and place it inside your water filter.
Peat moss will lower the pH water level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
Make sure to check on pH level regularly, and once the pH level decreases and come to its required level, take out the peat moss from the water filter.
Adding driftwood
Adding driftwood is the natural way to lower the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
Driftwood will lower the pH level of water with time.
Make sure to soak the driftwood for a couple of days before adding it to your guppies aquarium.
Soaking driftwood will remove the excess tannins from the driftwood.
Excess tannins in the aquarium will result in discoloration of the water of your guppies aquarium.
Remove aeration
Aerating ornaments produce bubbles that enable air circulation in the water, stabilizing the pH level.
Removing the aeration ornament to a certain extent will help you lower the pH level over time.
Carbon dioxide
If you have a planted guppy aquarium, you can use carbon dioxide to reduce the water pH level.
Adding carbon dioxide to an aquarium forms carbonic acid, which lowers the pH level of your guppy’s aquarium water.
RO water
Adding RO water to your guppies aquarium will help you reduce the water pH level of your guppies aquarium water.
RO water is slightly acidic, and it can lower the pH level as it lacks any carbonate hardness.
Conclusion:
Maintaining the pH level of your guppies aquarium will ensure their long and happy lifespan.
Never make a sudden and major change in water pH level, as your guppy can come under stress and be vulnerable to illness.
Keep your guppy out of the tank for at least one hour while changing the water pH level by applying baking soda or adding the coral or limestone method.