Simple Care Guide

Freshwater Aquarium Care

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Discover simple, step-by-step guides created by API® experts to help you keep your water healthy and your fish thriving. Search for specific topics or explore our categories below — from freshwater to planted tanks and ponds — to care routines, water tips, and product recommendations tailored to your setup.

Start Up & Change Water

Good water quality is key to starting a successful aquarium and keeping it healthy for your fish, since aquarium water quality to fish is as important as the quality of air we breathe as humans. Choose from the categories below to learn more about best freshwater aquarium practices.

Treating Tap Water

When starting a new freshwater aquarium or changing your water, it is necessary to use a water conditioner that will eliminate harmful chemicals, such as chlorine, chloramines, and heavy metals, from your source water before adding to your tank. API® STRESS COAT™ water conditioner, API® TAP WATER CONDITIONER™ treatment as well as API® AQUA ESSENTIAL™ are products that will make tap water safe for fish by neutralizing the chemicals commonly found in tap water. STRESS COAT water conditioner contains the healing power of Aloe Vera to protect your fish’s slime coat, which guards against bacteria and disease, and promotes healing and regeneration of damaged tissue, reducing fish stress by up to 40%. All these treatments work instantly to dechlorinate aquarium water, so you can start enjoying your underwater world right away.

TAP WATER CONDITIONER™

AQUA ESSENTIAL™

STRESS COAT™

Starting The Aquarium Cycle

After starting a new freshwater aquarium or performing filter or tank maintenance on an established tank, the addition of beneficial bacteria are required to kick start the nitrogen cycle in your tank. This cycle, can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully establish in a new freshwater aquarium and will be necessary for the health of your fish. Without these beneficial nitrifying bacteria, toxic ammonia quickly builds up in the aquarium and will stress the fish.

Setting & Holding Aquarium pH

In order for freshwater fish to thrive, the pH in the aquarium must be maintained at a level similar to their natural habitat. pH can fluctuate with the addition of rocks, plants, and new fish to an aquarium, so it is important to test your levels weekly to ensure they remain in a healthy range for your fish. API® PROPER pH™ powder easily sets and holds pH at the desired target level, and since different fish require different pH levels, PROPER pH powder is available in four different pH target levels:

PROPER pH 6.5: for tetras, discus, angelfish, and other soft water fish

PROPER pH 7.0: for tropical community aquariums

PROPER pH 7.5: for goldfish, mollies, guppies, and barbs

PROPER pH 8.2: for brackish and African cichlid aquariums

Use API PROPER pH products whenever your pH levels need to be adjusted.

PROPER pH™ 8.2

PROPER pH™ 7.5

PROPER pH™ 7.0

PROPER pH™ 6.5

Boosting Fish Health

Aquarium salt is a great, all-natural way to boost the health of your freshwater fish. Made from evaporated sea water, aquarium salt promotes healthy gill function and improves fish respiration, adding essential electrolytes that fish need to reach peak coloration and health. Aquarium salt also promotes disease recovery, and reduces the harmful effects of nitrite on your fish. Use when performing partial water changes and to promote fish disease recovery.