The hobby of keeping aquariums during Tet

A clear pool, lush greenery, and gently swimming fish create a relaxing atmosphere amidst a lively family gathering. To maintain the pool's stability during a long vacation, controlling the pH level is crucial.

As Tet approaches, many families refresh their living spaces with an aquarium

In recent years, planted aquariums have become increasingly common in living rooms during the Lunar New Year. Some people build entirely new tanks in time for the festivities. Others redesign the layout, replace the substrate, trim the plants, and add a few small fish to liven things up.

A beautiful aquarium isn't about size or rare plants. What's important is a stable water system throughout the holiday. Changes in routines, more guests, and increased fish food consumption can easily occur. Lighting and CO2 levels can also be adjusted out of sync. These small changes can cause pH fluctuations if not closely monitored.

pH directly affects fish, plants, and the microbial ecosystem

pH indicates the acidity or alkalinity of water. Most common aquarium fish in Vietnam thrive in a neutral to slightly acidic pH range. Many aquatic plants also grow well when the pH is maintained at a stable level rather than fluctuating constantly.

If the pH drops significantly due to excess CO2 or a newly set up nutrient-rich substrate, fish may breathe rapidly and swim sluggishly. If the pH rises due to changes in the incoming water source, the plants' ability to absorb micronutrients decreases significantly. Algae are more likely to appear when the microbial ecosystem is weakened.

pH fluctuations throughout the day are common in tanks with CO2 pumps. The difference between morning and evening can be significant. These changes are difficult to notice with the naked eye until plants show signs of yellowing leaves or fish stop eating. At that point, treatment will be much more difficult than controlling the problem from the start.

Common mistakes when playing with aquariums during Tet

Many people increase the amount of food because they think the fish need to "eat for Tet" (Vietnamese New Year). Excess food decomposes, altering the water environment. Some people change the water too much right before Tet to make the tank very clear, but fail to check the parameters afterward. Tap water in different areas can have different pH levels, which can cause a slight shock to the tank.

In some cases, people add new fish before Tet (Lunar New Year) to make the tank more lively. The new fish haven't had time to adapt, the microbial ecosystem isn't fully saturated, and pH and other indicators fluctuate more than usual. All these factors combine to create stress on the water system.

So, how do you monitor the pH level to keep the tank stable?

Experienced aquarists often check pH levels regularly at fixed times of the day. By recording the readings over several consecutive days, the trend of fluctuations becomes clear. This allows for adjustments to CO2 levels, lighting duration, or water change frequency.

For home aquariums, handheld pH meters provide quick and accurate results suitable for regular monitoring. Models like the Hanna HI98107 or Horiba LAQUAtwin pH-11 are officially distributed by EMIN and are trusted by many laboratories, farms, and aquarium enthusiasts. These devices are compact, easy to operate, and can be calibrated periodically to maintain the stability of the measurement results.

When used correctly, aquarists don't need to measure the pH too many times a day. A few fixed times are enough to get a general idea of the tank's condition. The pH number then acts as an indicator, helping to understand what's happening inside the seemingly calm water.

You can still have peace of mind during the 9 days of Tet if the water supply is well prepared

Before your vacation, check the entire filtration system, clean the filter media, and ensure a stable water flow. Change the water at a moderate rate rather than overfilling it at once. After changing the water, measure the pH again to ensure the environment hasn't deviated from its usual range.

If you'll be away for a few days, reduce the amount of food and maintain the usual lighting schedule. A well-maintained tank will have fewer problems than one that's constantly changing.

An aquarium during the Lunar New Year brings a sense of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle. By understanding the role of pH and actively monitoring it, hobbyists can be more prepared for any changes. Stable water helps plants maintain their vibrant colors, fish swim freely, and the living space becomes more complete during the first days of the new year.