Tropical aquarium fish inhabit many different bodies of water
across the globe and each body of water varies in chemical composition. Over
millions of years fish have evolved to adapt to their natural surroundings and
for a fish to be happy and healthy in an aquarium, the water's chemical
composition must be similar to that of the their natural habitat.
There are two approaches to water chemistry; one can keep fish
suited to the local tap water and we recommend this option to beginners - your
local retailer should be able to advise you which species are "hardy".
Alternatively, one can modify the water's chemistry but be aware, modifying the
water can be expensive, time consuming and there is always the possibility of
error.
The pages below are intended to provide an understanding of
water chemistry and will endeavour to explain in simple terms the meaning of
each aspect, how it affects the fish and how you as a hobbyist can control it.
