Water Quality Management in Nature Aquariums

There's nothing quite as soothing and relaxing as admiring your nature aquarium, watching live aquatic plants sway as beautiful fish gracefully swim around the aquascape. Until you notice the tank's water is looking cloudy, dulling the visual impact of your aquarium. This is a sign of poor water quality. 

Maintaining excellent water quality is important as it promotes the well-being of your living display. It keeps your aquarium inhabitants healthy, allows your plants to thrive in their environment and, of course, heightens your visual enjoyment. Our comprehensive water quality management guide offers expert tips and solutions to help you achieve pristine and clear water in your aquarium. 

Understanding Water Quality Parameters 

An important factor in water quality management in nature aquariums is understanding water parameters. These parameters are key indicators of water quality in both salt and fresh water, and consist of physical, chemical and biological conditions. All of these parameters need to be balanced to maintain a healthy and thriving aquarium.  

The most important parameters you need to monitor are: 

• pH levels: pH measures the acidity in water. Changes in pH can stress fish and increase their susceptibility to diseases. To remedy pH issues, use buffers or additives.
• Water temperature: Maintaining the correct temperature for your aquarium inhabitants is essential to their health. Ensure you are familiar with the required temperatures for the aquatic species in your tank. 
• Water hardness: This parameter consists of general hardness (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH). GH measures mineral content in water, while KH assists in stabilizing pH levels.
• Ammonia: Produced by waste and debris, ammonia is toxic to aquatic life. Cycling your aquarium will promote the development of beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia into nitrites.
• Nitrites: Still harmful to fish, nitrites can be removed from water via biological filtration, beneficial bacteria and regular water changes.
• Nitrates: Although less harmful to fish, high levels may stress fish and promote algae growth. Regular water changes will control nitrate levels. 

Testing and Monitoring Water

To ensure water parameters are balanced, you will need to test and monitor your aquarium water. Testing water quality regularly allows you to identify and resolve issues quickly. Water testing strips and kits are available to measure chemical and pH levels. For temperature monitoring, use an aquarium thermometer. 

Another crucial factor you need to monitor is your aquatic inhabitants' behavior and appearance. Unusual fish behavior or noticeable changes in plant appearance could be due to water quality issues. Don't be alarmed. Detecting and addressing these changes promptly will ensure the safety and health of your aquatic life. 

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Nature aquariums require regular upkeep to ensure they look their best, which is why routine cleaning and maintenance practices are necessary. There are cleaning routines for every part of your setup, from the filtration system to the gravel at the bottom of your tank. Here's how to clean your nature aquarium to ensure good water quality:

• Cleaning the tank: Firstly, clean the tank's glass. Gently use an algae scraper to remove buildup on the glass, then wipe the glass of the tank with a soft sponge. Also, wipe the exterior glass to remove smudges and dust.
• Changing tank water: Frequent, partial water changes maintain optimal water quality. For freshwater aquariums, replace 10-20% of your tank's water each week with treated and dechlorinated tap water. If your testing reveals elevated levels of nitrite or ammonia, you may need to perform a larger water change.
• Gravel vacuuming: Uneaten food, waste and debris build up on the substrate over time. While changing your tank water, use a gravel vacuum to remove build up and keep your water clean.  
• Maintaining the filter system: Regularly cleaning your aquarium filter prevents clogs and ensures optimal performance. Clean and rinse both the housing and the filter media, with your aquarium water and replace the media depending on the type used. 
• Trimming overgrown plants: If aquatic plants are overgrown, trim them using scissors, then remove any leaves and other debris. 
• Adding shrimp or snails: Often referred to as the tank “cleanup crew,” snails and shrimp are efficient cleaners. They eat algae and decomposing plant matter that might harm your water quality.

Balancing Your Aquatic Ecosystem

Creating a balanced ecosystem also plays a role in water quality management in nature aquariums. Harmony between live plants and fish stock levels needs to be planned and set up correctly to promote a balanced environment where they can thrive. 

Choosing the Right Plants

Choosing the right live plants in your aquarium depends on your level of experience as an aquarist. Low-maintenance aquatic plants are popular for their minimal light and CO2 requirements. More than enhancing the visual beauty of the aquascape, live plants have additional benefits that improve water quality. 

Plants to consider include: 

• Java Ferns: Great for nutrient cycling, nitrate absorbing, oxygenating water and combating algae growth, Java Ferns require minimal care and provide shelter for your aquarium inhabitants. 
• Anubias: The hardy Anubias is ideal for aquascaping due to its slow growth rate and ability to grow on hardscape. They also help control algae growth and oxygenate water. 
• Bucephalandra: A genus of aquatic plants native to the tropical rainforests of Borneo.  It is prized for its unique appearance and resilience, making it a favorite among aquarists.
• Rotala: This is a genus of popular fast-growing, nutrient absorbing, oxygen boosting aquarium stem plants that comes in a wide range of colors and leaf shapes.  The dense growth also provide good hiding spots for fish and shrimps.
• Monte Carlo: Enhance your aquascape with lush Monte Carlo. This carpeting plant absorbs nutrients and boosts oxygen levels.

Controlling Fish Stock Levels 

Maintaining control over your fish stock levels within the aquarium will help improve water quality. Depending on your tank size, you will need to consider the number of fish you add to your tank to avoid overcrowding. Too many fish can lead to increased waste, which could overwhelm your filtration system. 

Also, being mindful of your stock levels will help prevent overfeeding. When your aquarium is bustling with many vibrant and colourful fish, you may inadvertently overfeed them, creating more waste that'll lower your aquarium's water quality. 

To determine how many fish your tank can accommodate, consider the adult size of the fish, their activity levels and their bioload. This will provide an accurate estimate of the fish stocking capacity suited for your aquarium. General rule of thumb is one inch of fish per gallon.

Addressing Aquarium Issues 

Aquarium issues that affect your water quality often occur due to improper or infrequent cleaning, excessive light and overfeeding. Luckily, there are ways to combat these issues and improve your water quality:

• Algae buildup: Excessive algae growth indicates an imbalance in your water parameters. You can prevent algae growth by controlling light exposure, regularly changing water, incorporating live plants and installing an inhibitor. 
• Cloudy water: Bacteria, excess food and filtration issues could cause water to become cloudy. Murkiness can be resolved through frequent cleaning, enhanced filtration, and reducing the amount of food when feeding fish. ADA Green bacter plus is effective at treating white cloudiness or new tank syndrome. ADA clear water flocculates fine particles causing water cloudiness.
• Disease: If water quality is not maintained, fish may be exposed to disease outbreaks. To avoid this, ensure a regular cleaning schedule, quarantine new fish before adding them to the aquarium and treat any disease promptly to minimize its spread. 

Improve Your Water Quality With AFA

Water quality management is essential for the overall health of your nature aquarium. By understanding the importance of water parameters, cleanliness and balanced ecosystems, maintaining your aquarium's water quality will become easier. AFA offers high-quality and innovative products to help you enhance your water quality, allowing you to enjoy admiring your aquarium with confidence, knowing your aquatic life is well-cared for and healthy. Shop for all your aquarium needs today. 

Contact us if you require additional information or need assistance.