| | Chemistry and the Aquarium |
 | | Even natural seawater (pH = 8.0 to 8.3) isn't going to be optimal for every creature living in it, but it was recognized more than eighty years ago that moving away from the pH of natural seawater (down to 7.3, for example) is stressful to fish. |
 | | If you are going to push the pH to 8.4 or higher (as often happens in an aquarium using limewater), make sure that both the calcium and alkalinity levels are suitably maintained (that is, neither too low, inhibiting biological calcification, nor too high, causing excessive abiotic precipitation on equipment). |
 | | Using a properly calibrated pH meter is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this goal. |
| www.advancedaquarist.com /issues/feb2004/chem.htm (4408 words) |