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===Detail=== | ===Detail=== | ||
| − | ''pH'' is the measurement of the weight or amount of [[hydrogen]] (H<sup>+</sup>) and [[hydroxyl]] (HO¯) ions dissolved in water. It is the balance between the weight of these two types of ions which determine its pH value. In pure or [[distilled]] water these ions are in balance. H ions in a litre of pure water will weight 10<sup> | + | ''pH'' is the measurement of the weight or amount of [[hydrogen]] (H<sup>+</sup>) and [[hydroxyl]] (HO¯) ions dissolved in water. It is the balance between the weight of these two types of ions which determine its pH value. In pure or [[distilled]] water these ions are in balance. H ions in a litre of pure water will weight 10<sup></sup>-7 grams or 0.0000001 grams. So this figure is used to express the pH value. |
However for ease of use it has been the convention of the chemistry profession not to write the whole number and to ignore the negative value and just write '7'. | However for ease of use it has been the convention of the chemistry profession not to write the whole number and to ignore the negative value and just write '7'. | ||
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Any time there is more HO ions present than H ions then the water is said to be alkaline. | Any time there is more HO ions present than H ions then the water is said to be alkaline. | ||
| − | For example, should the amount of H ions be reduced to say 10<sup> | + | For example, should the amount of H ions be reduced to say 10<sup></sup>-8 grams, then the pH value is said to be 8. |
===Acidic=== | ===Acidic=== | ||
Any time there is more H ions present than HO ions then the water is said to be acidic. | Any time there is more H ions present than HO ions then the water is said to be acidic. | ||
| − | For example should the amount of H ions be increased to say 10<sup> | + | For example should the amount of H ions be increased to say 10<sup></sup>-6 grams in a litre of water, then the pH value is said to be 6. |
==Scale== | ==Scale== | ||
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==pH Disease== | ==pH Disease== | ||
Water across the world varies enormously in its pH and aquatic animals adapt to live in water with its own pH. | Water across the world varies enormously in its pH and aquatic animals adapt to live in water with its own pH. | ||
| − | Most animals can adapt to different pH water if given enough time. But if exposed to a pH difference of | + | Most animals can adapt to different pH water if given enough time. But if exposed to a pH difference of say greater than 0.4 within a few hours may suffer [[pH disease|pH Shock]] and if severe can die. |
*The rate at which animals can tolerate a pH shift varies greatly between species. But it is generally regarded that a rise of pH 0.4 or less within 2 hours is a safe rate for most animals. | *The rate at which animals can tolerate a pH shift varies greatly between species. But it is generally regarded that a rise of pH 0.4 or less within 2 hours is a safe rate for most animals. | ||
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==pH over time== | ==pH over time== | ||
| − | As your aquarium runs | + | As your aquarium runs the nitrifying bacteria in it produces hydrogen ions which slowly pulls the water towards the acidic (depending on levels of [[KH]]) and consumes carbonate therefore lowering KH. If you also have bogwood or plants in the tank, these decay and produce humic acid which also slowly pulls it towards the acid. |
This is why you need to either do regular water changes with fresh water that has higher levels of KH than in your tank or add a substitute like [[bicarbonate of soda]] or add a substrate that naturally leaks out KH like [[coral sand]] or [[Walstad|soil]]. | This is why you need to either do regular water changes with fresh water that has higher levels of KH than in your tank or add a substitute like [[bicarbonate of soda]] or add a substrate that naturally leaks out KH like [[coral sand]] or [[Walstad|soil]]. | ||
