- 1). Clean your aquarium thoroughly; you may put all the aquarium parts in the heat of the sun to kill the harmful bacteria thriving in the aquarium. Allow all the parts and surfaces to dry, then you are ready to assemble your fish tank.
- 2). Place crushed coral under the gravel substrate. Crushed corals help the aquarium's buffer system to maintain a high pH. When your aquarium has the ability to buffer water it is easier to adjust tap water (which is naturally has a high pH) to appropriate levels.
- 3). Add in the accessories to your aquarium; then add the tap water. Make sure to test the pH levels of your tap water before adding it into the aquarium determine the pH level. The ideal pH range is 7.0 to 8.0.
- 4). Measure the alkalinity of the water using your pH kit when your tank has already establish its baseline. Then test again the alkalinity after a few hours when the filter has cycled in your tank since you change the entire water. When the pH range measures from 7.4 to 8.4, it means your tank has high alkalinity.
- 5). Lower the pH level by removing the buffering ions from the tap water, if you measure high alkalinity. The unit used to do this is called a tap water purifier unit which filters the water coming from the faucet. Through this process, the salts and minerals which can cause the water to buffer are removed.
- 6). Place the fish gently and slowly in the aquarium, once you have achieved the correct pH and alkalinity. Allow them to adjust first in the water by letting them slowly swim from your fish bag or fish container which you use as their temporary place to stay while your cleaning the aquarium.
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