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The beginners have questions relating to guppies’ water parameters. One of the most common questions asked: what is the best water pH for guppies?
| The best pH level for guppies is between 6.8 to 7.6. |
In this neutral or slightly alkaline water guppies do well.
Besides the proper pH for guppies, I will also throw some lights on:
– What does pH level mean in a fish tank?
– Does water pH level affect guppy fish?
– How to measure the water pH level?
– How to increase or decrease the pH level in your aquarium?
Don’t worry! Guppies are hardy and can survive in various water pH conditions.
Let us start with understanding the meaning of water pH.
Table of Contents
What Is pH Of Water?
The pH means Potential of Hydrogen. It is a method to find out if water of fish tank is acidic or basic (alkaline).
The water pH ranges from 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, 0 to 7 is acidic and 7 to 14 is basic (alkaline).
In science, pH is the ratio of hydrogen ions (H⁺) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻) in water (H₂O). When H⁺ is more than water is acidic, while if OH⁻ is more than water is basic (alkaline). If both are equal then water pH is neutral.
But how does it affect our guppy fish?
Does Water pH Level Affect Guppy Fish?
It is important to maintain a good pH level for guppies.
If there is a sudden change in pH level, then this may badly affect your guppies well-being.
So, you need to regularly monitor your pH level to avoid water becoming more alkaline or acidic.
When the water pH fluctuates or is outside the ideal range then guppies are stressed which can result in breeding problems, slow growth, reproduction issues, weakened immune system, vulnerable to diseases and may even die.
So, what should the pH level be for guppies?
What Is The Best pH Level For Guppies?
The ideal and preferred pH level for guppies is 6.8 to 7.6. The pH helps in measuring alkaline and acidity in water of fish tank.
Provide guppies with similar water condition that resembles natural habitat.
This range of pH level ensures the well-being and survival of guppy fish in aquarium.
You should ensure that the pH remains stable and change in pH level causes stress in guppies and likely to get diseases.
| Pro-tip: – Target 0.5 pH change daily and don’t perform large water change. |
How to Measure Water pH Level For Guppies?
Perform weekly pH test to ensure stability in your guppy fish tank. Monitoring pH level in aquarium is easy.
There are three ways to measure pH level:
1. Digital pH meter – gives instant and fast pH test results.
2. pH test strip – just dip the strip in sample tank water and match it with color card provided.
3. pH test kit – take some aquarium water in test tube then add testing solution to it and compare it with color chart.
| Pro-tip: – The pH test should be done in afternoon for precise result. |
What Influences the pH Level Drop?
There is a drop in pH level when guppy fish tank is not properly looked after.
Dirty aquarium, overcrowded tanks, irregular water change, overfeeding, adding untreated new water, dead or sick guppy fish in tank builds up ammonia and water becomes toxic. These reasons contribute to low pH level.
Can guppies live in low pH? Yes, guppies can live in low pH. But, if pH level drops below 6.7 then the water becomes acidic and the guppies’ lifespan shortens. So, maintain the proper pH for guppies.
How to Raise pH Level For Guppies?
If you are dealing with a low pH level (below 7) then you can use any of the following options to increase pH level for guppies:
1. Aquarium Salt
You can add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt for every gallon of tank water. This helps in raising the pH level and treating diseases like ick or ich or other infections.
2. Baking Soda
Before starting the process transfer your guppies to another tank.
Prepare a solution in conditioned water by adding 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 5-gallon tank water in an aquarium. Wait for 30 – 60 minutes and now measure the pH level.
Kindly, note guppies can tolerate a change of 0.5 pH. So, avoid drastic fluctuation in pH level. It is correct time to put back guppies in aquarium.
3. Aerating Decoration
Adding aerating decoration enhances the beauty of aquarium as well as generates bubbles which aids air circulation. Installing an air pump or air stone stabilizes pH level.
4. Remove Driftwood
The driftwood softens the water in turn lowers the pH level. So you should remove it to increase pH.
5. Regular Water Change
Uneaten food and fish waste pollute the fish tank as well as lower pH. Changing water regularly aids in stabilizing pH level.
Do the water change slowly to avoid giving stress to the guppy fish pH.
6. Use of Microalgae
It works as a seabed for guppies. It provides hiding spots as well as raises pH levels.
Microalgae is very low in maintenance as it only requires regular cutting.
“Do guppies like acidic water?”– No, guppies do not like acidic water. The low water pH level affects guppies health. In tropical fish tank, the best pH level for guppies is 6.8 to 7.6.
What Causes High pH Level?
Over the period, pollutants in aquarium water form chemicals which causes spikes in pH level.
Another reason is gas exchange. When oxygen comes in and carbon dioxide goes out of aquarium will rise the level of pH.
Can Guppies Live in High pH? – Yes, guppies can live in high pH. Guppies are hardy fish and if the tap water is on hard side (above 7 but till 8) then you can keep them in aquarium as guppies adapt to various water conditions.
It is recommended to keep the ideal water pH level for guppy fish.
How to Lower pH Level For Guppies?
Guppies need a standard pH level for survival and well-being. You don’t need any chemicals to lower pH for guppy fish. There are several ways to reduce pH level in a guppy tank
1. Terminalia Catappa (Indian Almond leaves)
Almond leaves contain chemical richness like tannins and humic acid.
Terminalia Catappa gradually releases tannins and humic acid which is acidic, this aids in lowering pH for guppy tank.
However, Indian almond leaves decay in the aquarium water and produce ammonia, so increase the frequency of changing water.
It is popular as herbal medicine for treating fin rot in guppy fry.
| Protip: One Terminalia Catappa leaf for every 10 gallons of tank water reduces the level of pH guppy aquarium. |
2. Peat Moss
Peat moss is the most popular method to reduce pH for guppies and lowers the water hardness.
Place peat moss in a mesh bag and put in water filter. Keep on measuring the pH level in guppy fish tank. Peat moss releases tannins and the aquarium water color will change.
When you get the best pH for guppy fish, remove peat moss from the tank and now color of water in aquarium will soon be normal.
3. Driftwood
A natural way to lower water pH for guppies in aquarium is driftwood. Firstly, it enhances look of aquarium and secondly, driftwood reduces pH level.
Just like almond leaves and peat moss, driftwood also releases tannins which drops the pH level on aquarium water.
Before using driftwood, you should boil it in salt water to remove dirt which will keep guppies safe and aquarium clean.
4. Live Plants
As driftwood, live plants are always the best option to naturally lower pH requirements for guppies.
5. CO2 Reactors (Injecting CO2)
CO2 reactors distribute gas properly in the guppy fish tank.
When CO2 is injected into aquarium water, it dissolves and then releases carbonic acid which lowers pH for guppy.
6. Add Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water
RO is a very expensive way to lower the pH level.
But, it is a good option when there is constant supply of hard tap water as well as there will be no discoloration in aquarium water.
Take a sample of RO water and test the pH level if it is in ideal range then add water to the guppy fish tank.
Conclusion
The level of pH plays an important role in guppies health and long life.
There are various reasons which affect the pH level for guppy fish. Further, in this article, I explained all possible ways to drop or raise the pH for guppy.
I am sure above mentioned tips will help in achieving a stable environment for your guppies.
FAQS
1. Can Low pH Level Kill Guppies?
No, low pH level cannot kill guppies. For longer time, if kept in low pH increases health problems in guppy fish. It is suggested to maintain ideal pH water level 6.8 to 7.6.
2. Can Guppies Live in Alkaline Water?
Yes, guppies can live in alkaline water, however it is recommended to maintain best water pH for guppies 6.8 to 7.6. Otherwise, if it not maintained then guppies feel stress and prone to diseases.
3. Do Guppies Like Hard Or Soft Water?
Guppies are freshwater fish and likes neutral or alkaline water. Guppies like hard water more than soft water as it has essential minerals, calcium and magnesium.
Happy Guppy Keeping!
I am Alexa with 5+ years of experience in fishkeeping industry with expertise in taking care of guppies, aquariums, and dealing with diseases. Moreover, I am lovely wife, dedicated mom, and passionate guppy fish keeper. If you are into guppy fish keeping like me, you are in the right place. Explore the blog, ask questions, and enjoy guppy fishkeeping journey with GuppyAdvisor.
