As an aquarium enthusiast, you want to create the best possible living conditions for your fish and plants. Understanding water parameters in your freshwater aquarium is therefore crucial! Here you'll find an overview of the most common water parameters, their meanings, and some values found in ponds and saltwater, for a complete overview.
The most commonly used water parameters for a freshwater aquarium are pH, nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), phosphate (PO₄), and KH (carbonate hardness). These values are essential for the health of your fish and plants.
What are the most commonly used freshwater water parameters?
In your freshwater aquarium, it's important to keep a close eye on several water parameters. These are the most common parameters that you simply can't ignore!
| Water value | Meaning | Abbreviation | What is it used for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| pH | The acidity of the water | N/A | To determine whether the water is acidic or basic, which affects fish and plant growth. |
| Nitrate | Nitrite breakdown product, less toxic | NO₃ | Important for plants, but should not be too high, in balance with plant growth. |
| Nitrite | Toxic to fish | NO₂ | Should be at 0 mg/l during the cycle, a sign of a properly functioning filter. |
| Ammonium | Derived from organic waste | NH₄ | Must be below 0.025 mg/l, can be fatal to fish at too high levels. |
| Kh | Carbonate hardness | Kh | Determines the stability of the pH value. |
| Gh | General hardness | Gh | Indicates how many minerals are present in the water. |
| Phosphate | Nutrient for algae and plants | PO₄ | Too much phosphate can cause algae plagues. |
Water values of other systems
Below you will find some values that are not standard in freshwater aquariums, but are more relevant for ponds or saltwater aquariums:
| Water value | Meaning | Abbreviation | What is it used for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Essential mineral for fish and plants | Ca | Important for the bone structure of fish and for the growth of calcareous plants. |
| Magnesium | Nutrient and essential mineral | Mg | Important for photosynthesis in plants. |
| Salinity | Salt concentration in the water | ‰ (standardized) | Determine not only for saltwater aquariums, but also for ponds with specific fish. |
| Alkalinity | Keeps the pH stable | N/A | Important for ponds and saltwater aquariums to prevent pH fluctuations. |
These values are not standard on a test strip, but you should know them.
There are also some important values that you won't find on a test strip by default, but that you absolutely must know:
- Ammonia: Like ammonium, harmful, so check regularly.
- Phosphate: Keep your algae under control by monitoring phosphate levels.
- TDS (Total Dissolved Solids): Gives you an idea of the total amount of dissolved solids in your water.
- PPM (Parts Per Million): Another measure of concentration in water.
Want to know how to use test strips properly and whether they're truly reliable? Then read the article about aquarium test strips >
Which water parameters are most important to monitor?
There are a number of important values that you absolutely need to keep an eye on:
- Nitrate (NO₃): Super important for your plants, but be careful not to have too much.
- Nitrite (NO₂): This is toxic, so keep it as close to 0 mg/l as possible.
- Phosphate (PO₄): This value is crucial for preventing algae plagues.
- Kh: Ensures stability in your pH.
- pH: The balance between acid and alkaline should be in a healthy range.
- Ammonium (NH₄): Keep this low, as it can even be toxic to humans.
Conclusion
By keeping a close eye on the water parameters of your freshwater aquarium, you ensure that your fish and plants can flourish!
