Aquarium water parameters by tank type
A community freshwater tank wants 24–27 °C and pH 6.5–7.5, a betta 25–29 °C and discus 28–31 °C. Every tank type is in the chart.
| Tank | Temp (°C) | pH | GH (°dH) | KH (°dH) | Nitrate (ppm) | Salinity (SG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community freshwater | 24–27 | 6.5–7.5 | 4–12 | 3–8 | up to 40 | — |
| Livebearers | 24–28 | 7–8 | 8–20 | 4–12 | up to 40 | — |
| Betta | 25–29 | 6–7.5 | 3–12 | 1–8 | up to 20 | — |
| African cichlids | 24–27 | 7.8–8.6 | 10–20 | 10–15 | up to 20 | — |
| American cichlids | 25–29 | 6.5–7.8 | 5–15 | — | up to 30 | — |
| Discus | 28–31 | 5.5–7 | 1–6 | 1–4 | up to 20 | — |
| Planted | 22–28 | 6.4–7.2 | 4–8 | 2–5 | 5–20 | — |
| Shrimp | 20–26 | 6.5–8 | 6–12 | 2–8 | up to 20 | — |
| Koi / goldfish pond (outdoor) | 8–28 | 7–8 | 6–15 | 4–10 | up to 40 | — |
| Goldfish tank (fancy, unheated) | 18–24 | 7–8 | 6–18 | 4–12 | up to 40 | — |
| Brackish (puffers, monos, scats) | 24–28 | 7.5–8.4 | — | 8–14 | up to 40 | 1.005–1.012 |
| Marine fish-only (FOWLR) | 24–27 | 8–8.4 | — | 7–12 | up to 40 | 1.02–1.026 |
| Marine & reef | 25–27 | 8–8.4 | — | 7–11 | 2–10 | 1.024–1.026 |
| Quarantine / hospital | 24–30 | — | — | — | up to 20 | — |
| Fry / grow-out | 25–29 | — | — | — | up to 20 | — |
Ammonia and nitrite must read zero in every tank. See the tank setup guides.