Salinity, pH, and Alkaline
written by Thuong Pham
Salinity
Salinity is the measure of total salts dissolved
in water. Salinity has an indirect relationship
to specific gravity. Specific gravity should be
between 1.020-1.022 for fish-only aquariums and
1.023-1.025 for reef aquariums. We can use instrument called
a
hydrometer
to measure specific gravity.
pH
pH is the ratio between hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions. The goal in saltwater aquariums is to have the pH between 8.1 and 8.4.
Over time, pH tends to fall due to natural processes. To prevent this drop, we must maintain the system's alkalinity.
We use
pH test kits to measure pH.
Alkanity
Alkalinity measures the buffering capacity of
seawater. Buffering capacity is the seawater's ability to resist lowering pH caused by a natural
process called acidification. We measure alkalinity on the dKH (degree Karbonate Hardness) scale. dKH should be between 8 and 12.
GO TO THE NEXT SECTION
|