How to increase hardness correctly?

[Todd128]

Hi--

I have just moved, and the water from my tap turns out to have a hardness of GH=0!

What salts should be added to increase this value correctly? Calcium/magnesium?

Many thanks for your expertise,

Todd

[OrionGirl]

A lot of it depends on what fish you're keeping. The KH and pH are of bigger concern, since those are impacted by the normal biological activity of the tank. There are a number of products that can be used--the goal is to create a stable level that can be maintained.

Welcome to the boards!

[Todd128]

Originally Posted by OrionGirl

A lot of it depends on what fish you're keeping.

Hi, Thanks for answering my post. The tank is a semi-aggressive, planted tank with a handful of fish species. There are eels, a knifefish, a gar, and an african bullfish--just oddball fish.

Originally Posted by OrionGirl

KH and pH are of bigger concern, since those are impacted by the normal biological activity of the tank.

With my previous tap water, there was low KH and acceptable GH. I had been adding a pinch of carbonate during water changes, and the tests worked out to be acceptable. Now I need to adjust both...

There are a number of products that can be used--the goal is to create a stable level that can be maintained.

Is there a single product that is going to increase both my GH and KH and give acceptable pH properties? If not, what might be the best choices to combine to get the levels where they need to be?

Many thanks, Todd

[TwoTankAmin]

Hope this helps.

The following measurements are approximate; use a test kit to verify you've achieved the intended results. Note that if your water is extremely soft to begin with (1 degree KH or less), you may get a drastic change in pH as the buffer is added.
To raise both GH and KH simultaneously, add calcium carbonate (CaCO3). 1/2 teaspoon per 100 liters of water will increase both the KH and GH by about 1-2 dH. Alternatively, add some sea shells, coral, limestone, marble chips, etc. to your filter.

From: Aquaria FAQ

[RTR]

For a planted tank, you want a bit finer tuning - you will likely want your calcium:magnesium ratio on the order of 4:1. For stability you will want your KH at least at 3, better at 4.

You may want to check into Chuck Glad's site, or plantgeeks, or such for ideas on reconstituting RO water, as you are working in that neighborhood.

[Todd128]

Originally Posted by RTR

You may want to check into Chuck Glad's site, or plantgeeks, or such for ideas on reconstituting RO water, as you are working in that neighborhood.

Thanks for these great tips! Todd

[Todd128]

Originally Posted by RTR

You may want to check into Chuck Glad's site, or plantgeeks, or such for ideas on reconstituting RO water

Hi--I found this recipe for reconstituting RO water googling around with phrases from the above post--is this an acceptable? Thanks, Todd

> > Chemical dose/ dose/ measurement
> > 100 liters 50 gallons unit
> >
> > epson's salt 3.5 6.5 quarter teaspoons
> > calcium carbonate 6 11 600 mg tablets
> > baking soda 4 8 quarter teaspoons
> > potassium chloride 1.5 3 quarter teaspoons

[RTR]

That sound somewhere in the neighborhood, but the water volume is off somewhere - 50 US gallons is about 190 liters, not 100. Imperial gallons would be even more, but I see you are USA.

The calcium carbonate is going to be slow to dissolve, allow time with mixing before testing the results.

Start toward the low end of the measurement's stated range and check what your water shows for GH, KH, and pH afterward, before going all the way up on supplements.