Bottled pH, does it work, and if so, how
Bottled pH is popular with a lot of goldfish and Koi keepers. Most of us test pH levels as a part of their normal routine; it being the most common parameter, however it’s also the most confusing. We know that the levels should be within an established comfort zone, however, we don’t know how or why
Bottled pH
We’ve heard of the dreaded pH crash, although we’re unsure what causes it. A few know it has something to do with oxygen. These few may not understand how water becomes oxygenated. They don’t have to; the industry is selling pH in a bottle
Is pH in a bottle a bad thing? Not really; not if you understand how its value is determined
Every fish keeper should know about the water their fish live in, and yet, most know very little. The majority of fish keepers are depending on water treatment designed to lower or raise pH, even though they have a healthy pH in their freshwater source; it’s mystery how how to keep it healthy in their fish house
Bottled pH
Hydrogen occurs mainly in combination with oxygen and water as well as in organic matter such as living plants, petroleum and coal. The term pH was derived by a Danish chemist, Lauritz, although the term stuck, its full meaning has always been, and always will be debated. Named after the Greek words hydro for ‘water’ and genes for ‘forming,’ hydrogen; in relation to the water in our fish houses, potential of hydrogen simply put is the potential of water to be oxygenated. Note the word potential, meaning; latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness
However vague, examining parts of the parameter separately helps us to determine it’s potential for life
Parts of pH
Carbonate mineral (KH) and oxygen (O2) combined make up the parts of pH. KH gives water the potential to support O2, however, this doesn’t make it so. The body of water must be free of carbon dioxide; gas create from waste and free of clouds with the surface exposed to fresh air, before oxygen can be absorbed.
By method of diffusion water pulls oxygen from the air with the ripple of a wave. Water with no surface movement referred to as stagnant, doesn’t have the ability to pull oxygen from the air; there is no diffusion taking place
How to oxygenate water
Moving water eliminates clouds altogether or changes their form. In a natural body of water; wind moves the surface causing ripples or waves to pull gases from the water as it pulls oxygen from the air. The natural motion of waves keeps the body of water clear. A river or stream that follows a downhill grade or cascades over a rocky cliff creating a water fall, clears the water as it does so. Mother Nature at work
Bottled pH
In aquariums and small ponds however, we must depend on the mechanics of our water pumps to create action. Only a real pond pump provides the right kind of action for clearing a body of water, moving the surface and oxygenating it
10 Steps to Goldfish Koi Keeping
Beneficial bacteria build their colonies in our filters and pumps. We know this because they prefer complete darkness and require heavily oxygenated water. The pond pump provides both, and is preferred over other filters because it sits on the bottom close to ammonia creating waste, their food source. The faster water movement provides the increased amounts of oxygen they need
No goldfish house is complete without a real pond pump
Water pulls minerals from the substrate as it passes over, stone, shell or mud. Mineral content of freshwater depends on location, how much and what type of stone is indigenous or common.
Countless goldfish keepers depend on bottled pH, although they have no idea why
Comfort zone pH 7.4 to 8.4 ppm
The comfort zones have been determined as safe levels for our goldfish and Koi, with the low end being the minimum value. Why settle for the low end of the comfort zone? The rivers our goldfish and Koi come from have a high pH value due to the fast moving water and the stone that lines the river beds. Offering our fish these same water conditions gives our fish a chance at a longer and healthier life
To safely raise pH, we measure alkalinity or KH first and foremost
Carbonate mineral gives water the ability to support our aquatic life form by supporting the oxygen they breathe. Without this most amazing mineral, water would be lifeless
If KH is at the comfort zone, but pH is low, this indicates the oxygen levels are low. This is where people get into trouble; when they raise pH without testing KH first. Too high of a KH value can burn your fish and even kill them. If oxygen levels are really low, it would take a dangerously high KH level to make up the difference on a pH test result
High levels of carbonate mineral burns fish
Increase oxygen levels in tank water by exposing the surface to fresh, moving air. Include a pond pump in your set up that pushes 100 GPH (gallons per hour) for every 10 gallons of tank or pond holds. Consider adding two or even three pond pumps with half the pumping power to distribute the action for large tanks or ponds
The only safe oxygen in a bottle is Oop Boost as shown in the photo below. It can be used to increase oxygen levels, thereby raising pH, however, it’s only a temporary fix, and should be used as a health tonic or in emergencies
pH water treatments do not disclose the contents of their products, and by law, they don’t have to, however, the product description promises to create a higher pH so therefore it must raise KH value. Carbonate mineral alone is responsibility for the alkalinity of water. In the average goldfish house experiencing a low pH, the KH value is okay or even good, however the oxygen levels are low, dragging the pH down. Test before and after use
Learn more about raising and lowering KH and pH
Bottled pH
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Author: Brenda Rand