Question

Fish give off ammonia, a base, as a waste. How does this

affect the pH of the water in an aquarium? What can be
done to correct he problem?

Answer 1

Ammonia, a byproduct of fish waste in aquariums, raises the pH level of the water by increasing hydroxide ion concentration. To manage this, regular water changes or pH adjusting products can be used, or controlled amounts of acid can be introduced to neutralize ammonia and maintain a suitable environment for the fish.

Step-by-step explanation:

When fish excrete ammonia (NH3), a weak base, into the water of an aquarium, it reacts with water to form ammonium ions (NH4+) and hydroxide ions (OH-). This reaction:

NH3(aq) + H2O(l) ⇌ NH4+(aq) + OH-(aq)

leads to an increase in the concentration of hydroxide ions, thus raising the pH of the water and making it more basic or alkaline. To correct the problem and bring the pH back to an appropriate level for the fish, one can do water changes or use products designed to neutralize or buffer the pH. Additionally, adding acids like lemon juice or vinegar in very controlled amounts can neutralize some of the ammonia, turning it into non-volatile ammonium salts.

Answer 2

Answer:High pH levels (9-14) can harm fish by denaturing cellular membranes. Changes in pH can also affect aquatic life indirectly by altering other aspects of water chemistry. Low pH levels accelerate the release of metals from rocks or sediments in the stream.

Step-by-step explanation: