Ideal PH Level For Neon Tetras? (Complete Information)

Neon tetras are freshwater aquarium fish species that every aquarist loves to add to their home tanks. However, before adding tetra to your fish tank, you must know about the ideal water parameters required by your fish to provide them with adequate living conditions.

So, what is the ideal pH level for your neon tetras? Let us find out.

The ideal pH level for your neon tetras is between 6-7. You can use a ph meter or a test kit to check your fish’s tank pH level. Consider adding seashells and baking soda to elevate the tank’s pH, whereas adding aquatic plants and driftwood can help lower your tetra tank’s pH level.

The article below discusses the ideal pH for your neon tetras. In addition, we will also learn the ways to increase and decrease your fish’s tank pH level.

What should be the ideal pH level for your neon tetras?

The ideal pH level for your neon tetras is between 6-7.

Despite being hardy fish species, a sudden fluctuation in the pH level of your tetra’s tank can make them suffer from severe health issues.

Inadequate pH levels in the tank can lead to the passing away of your neon tetras.

Here are the things you should ensure to keep your neon tetras tank pH level stable and in the ideal range

1. Ensure to clean your tetra’s tank and filter regularly.
2. Eliminate the dead and decaying plants and fish from your tetra’s aquarium.
3. Consider adding an air pump to your neon tetra’s tank.

You should clean your neon tetra tank and filter regularly to maintain an ideal pH level and provide good living conditions for your neon tetra.

We advise you to perform a 30% weekly water change and add a sound filtration system to your fish tank to maintain the water quality.

Regular water changes and cleaning the tank’s gravel will help remove the leftovers, eventually preventing your tank from becoming more acidic or alkaline.

Consider removing all the dead and decaying plants, invertebrates, and fish from the tank, as it can spike the tank’s ammonia and nitrite level, eventually increasing the tank’s pH level.

You should also add an air pump to your neon tetras tank, as it helps to maintain the tank’s pH level.

An air pump helps maintain the tank’s oxygen level as it promotes aeration by creating water movements on the surface. 

Neon tetras ideal water parameters

Particulars	Neon Tetras
Water Temperature	72-76°F
Ph Level	6.0-7.0
Ammonia Level	0ppm
Nitrite Level	0ppm
Nitrate Level	Below 20ppm

Despite being hardy fish species that can survive in a wide range of water temperature, a sudden fluctuation in the water parameters can lead to extreme stress and other health issues in your neon tetras eventually making them pass away.

Therefore, you should always maintain ideal water parameters in your neon tetras to ensure your fish’s adequate growth and development.

Also, read: Ideal Water Temperature For Neon Tetras

How does inadequate pH level affect your neon tetras?

Neon tetras are freshwater aquarium fishes that require ideal water parameters for their well-being and a longer lifespan.

Inadequate ph levels in the tank can cause stress and many other health issues in your fish, eventually making them pass away.

A rise in the pH level can damage the slime coat that helps your tetras to ward off bacteria and parasites.

Once the coat gets damaged, your tetra can become prone to several diseases and parasites.

In addition, too high a pH level can damage your tetra’s eyes, skin and gills and make them unable to excrete their metabolic waste, resulting in a toxic build-up within their bodies.

Too low pH level in your neon tetra’s tank can lead to stress in your neon tetras, eventually making them lethargic and sleep more often.

In addition, low pH level in the tank also reduces the ability of your fish to eat, reproduce, swim and grow, eventually making your fish suffer from extreme stress and pass away.

Therefore, you should always maintain an ideal pH level in your neon tetras tank to ensure your fish’s well-being and adequate development.

How to measure the pH level of your neon tetras tank?

Here are the two ways to measure the pH level of your neon tetras tank. 

1. Digital pH meter
2. Test kit

The digital pH meter will give you the proper pH level of your neon tetras tank.

You can also use a test kit to measure the pH level of your neon tetra’s tank.

How to increase the pH level of your neon tetras tank?

Here are the ways to increase the pH level of your neon tetra tank

1. Add baking soda to your neon tetras tank
2. Remove driftwood from your fish tank
3. Add seashells to the tank
4. Change the substrate of your fish tank

Add baking soda to your neon tetra tank. 

You can add baking soda to your neon tetra’s tank to decrease pH.

Adding baking soda will make the tank water more alkaline, eventually elevating the tank’s pH.

Consider removing all the fish and invertebrates from the tank while adding baking soda. Then, you can place them back after 30 minutes. 

We advise adding one tablespoon of baking soda per 5 gallons to elevate the tank’s pH.

Keep eyeing the pH level and continue adding baking soda until you reach the desired level. 

Remove driftwood from your tetra’s tank.

You can remove driftwood from the tank to elevate the tank’s pH level.

Driftwood releases tannic acid, which lowers the tank’s pH level. 

So, remove any driftwood in the tank to elevate the tank’s pH level.

Add seashells to your tetra tank.

You can add seashells to your neon tetra’s tank to elevate the tank’s pH level.

Seashells hold carbonates which help to elevate the tank’s pH level.

It will submerge in the water and increase the pH level slowly.

Consider adding two seashells per 5 gallons in your neon tetra’s tank.

Ensure to rinse the seashells in the warm water before adding them to your neon tetra’s tank.

You do not have to remove the fish and invertebrates while adding seashells to the tank, as it is entirely safe.

Change the substrate of your neon tetra’s tank.

You can also change the substrate of your neon tetras tank to elevate the tank’s pH level.

Stone and gravel are the most common substrates aquarists use in freshwater aquariums.

As neon tetras do not have a specific need for certain kinds of substrate, you can use crushed corals and limestone as a substrate to increase the tank’s pH level.

We advise making a 1-inch substrate for your neon tetra’s tank.

While changing the tank substrate, remove the fish and invertebrates from the tank as the water gets contaminated during the process.

Therefore, you can add the fish to the tank once the water clears. 

How to lower the pH level of your neon tetras tank?

Here are the ways to decrease the pH level of your neon tetras tank

1. Add aquatic plants to your tetra’s tank
2. Add driftwood to your neon tetra tank
3. Add peat moss to your fish tank

Add aquatic plants to your fish tetra’s tank.

You can add aquatic plants to your neon tetra’s tank to lower the pH level.

Aquatic plants consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the daytime.

At night, the plants consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide, making the tank’s water acidic, eventually lowering the tank’s pH level.

Add driftwood to your neon tetra tank,

You can add driftwood to your tetra’s tank to lower the pH levels.

Driftwood releases tannic acid, which helps lower the tank’s pH level.

Here are the things you should consider while adding driftwood to your neon tetra tank.

1. Ensure to purchase driftwood that holds no chemicals and preservatives which can harm your tetras.
2. Consider soaking the driftwood in water for 2-3 hours, as it will help to remove all the leftover debris and dirt.

Add peat moss to your fish tank.

You can also add peat moss, as it is the most natural way to lower the tank’s pH level.

Purchase peat moss for aquariums, as it will come free from all the harmful chemicals.

Consider soaking the peat moss in the water for 3-4 days, as adding it directly can make your tank’s water brown and yellow.

It will be best to put the peat moss in the bag and add it to your fish tank, as adding directly can make it float.

Conclusion:

1. The ideal pH level for your neon tetras is between 6-7. Despite being hardy species, fluctuation in the pH level can make them tetra suffer from severe health issues.
2. A rise in the pH level can damage the slime coat that helps your tetras to ward off bacteria and parasites.
3. Too low pH in your tetra’s tank causes stress in your fish, eventually making them lethargic and sleep more often.
4. You can increase the tank’s pH level by adding baking soda and seashells and removing driftwood.
5. Adding driftwood, aquatic plants, and peat moss can decrease the tank’s pH level. 

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Reference: WIKIPEDIA