Tropical Fish Forums

DwarfPuffer · New Members Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: Malaysia

my tank GH < 3.
May I know whats the main cause and whats the solution?
Some said its because of the CO2 injection, is that true?

DwarfPuffer · New Members Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: Malaysia

Hi all gurus,

Specs:
Tank Size - 2.5 feet
Nutrafin CO2
Canister Filter
50% planted with stems

The current water from tank chemistry:
Nitrites = < 10mg/l
Nitrates = 0 mg/l
GH = < 3'd
KH = 6 - 10d
pH = 6,4

The current water from house tap water:
Nitrites = < 10mg/l
Nitrates = 0 mg/l
GH = < 3'd
KH = < 6d
pH = 6,4

I'm using JBL 5 in 1 test kit currently for testing the water chemistry and now in the 3rd day of silent cycling process. My question is, according to the test kit, GH < 3'd are not OK, so is there any way to increase the GH level?
I'm quite confused with all the methods in this thread.

Montana girl · New Members Joined: 16 Oct 2008 Location: Montana

I have had my 20 gal. freshwater tropical community tank stuffed with established annubias set up here in north central Montana for a year. Now we will be installing a water softener but will have a cold hard water tap. I don't want to upset the chemistry of my tank using the softened water, and believe that the plants benefit from the high mineral content of our well water, hard and alkaline as it is. My question is, when I do a water change, which is usually 1/4 to 1/3 of the total, how do I warm up that cold hard water? I am so used to just adjusting the temp. from the tap. I usually run my tank at 76 degrees. By the way, a year ago I moved here from Western Washington, where for sixteen years I ran a variety of freshwater tanks on well water. But this stuff is hard getting used to. The build-up of calcium on the cover glass and rim of the tank is hard to deal with! Any ideas? Thanks to any who can help me!

Sad Heart

When I was growing up I used water from roof run off. Shocked

Anyway, it was always cold. So I took a quart of the water out of the bucket and boiled it. Added it to the water until it was the right temperature. It works every time. But I would suggest only a couple quarts at a time, because I think I read boiling removes oxygen or something beneficial.

Until, a better idea comes along. There ya go!
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