Leaderboard

General Hardness (GH) is the measurement of the level of dissolved minerals our water contains, which is predominantly represented by calcium & magnesium, but also contains other mineral ions. GH does influence PH like KH, and there’s no direct co-relation to KH. It is critical to the health of shrimps. GH can affect the function of internal organs and hinder proper growth as well as affect egg fertility and hinder breeding capacity. Shrimps may adapt to survive in different GH levels, but will encourage issues with breeding. GH is especially important to shrimp because Calcium Carbonate is vital in a shrimps molting cycle and growth. Shrimps grow by sheding their existing smaller exoskeletons every so often to grow a newer and bigger one. For a successful moult, it is very important for them to have enough calcium carbonate present in the water for them to absorb and to create a strong and healthy new shell in the molting process. Any GH deficiencies, wont allow them to create a strong enough shell to properly fend off diseases, infections, and stress and will eventually die. Calcium Carbonate also helps in food digestion and absobtion, and assist the immune system to fight toxins, and diseases in the body and can reduce overall stress in your shrimps. Magnesium is the key to unlocking Calcium Carbonates potential. It is able to make Calcium absorbable in shrimps bodies. Without it they would suffer from lack of calcium. It is needed for a healthy calcium absorbtion and balance as well as healthy muscles and nervous system. The ratio of GH:MG for shrimps is generally a 4:1 to 3:1 (Calcium:Magnesium) Formula to calculate Mg & Ratio 1. Get your GH Value (dGH) 2. Get your Ca Value (ppm) 3. Mg = ((GH*17.86) - (Ca*2.5)) /4.1 i.e. 1. If GH is 4 dKH 2. If Ca is 20 ppm 3. Mg = ((4 x 17.86) - (15 x 2.5)) / 4.1 = 5.23 Therefore - Ca:Mg is 20:5.23, approx. 3.8:1 GH The API Ca Test Kit Instructions.. [TABLE=width: 199] [TABLE=width: 199] 5ml Bottle 1 - 10 Drops [TD=colspan: 3]Bottle 2 - 1 Drop - 20ppm [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TD] [/TABLE] If your Ca is <20ppm, instead of a 5ml, a 20ml can be used, thus... [TABLE=width: 199] [TABLE=width: 199] 20ml Bottle 1 - 10 Drops [TD=colspan: 3]Bottle 2 - 1 Drop - 5ppm [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD] [/TABLE] I use CaS04 to increase my Calcium levels, and MgSO4 (Epsom Salts) for my Magnesium Levels. There are also many Ca booster products, like the Shirakura Ca+ etc... Alternatively, to reduce Ca/Mg, WC with RO water. Experimenting with these ratio's does have it's issues......dosage needs to be gradual, i.e. 0.5ppm per day etc...., and really for the more experienced hobbyist, who like to tinker. Most products like Salty Shrimp, Seachem Equilibrium etc...have these ratios, so there really is no need for adjustments, unless there'a a specific (i.e. higher) level of GH you want to attain. In these situations, adding just a CaSO4, without taking into account the Ca:Mg ratio will create issues as mentioned above for the shrimps. Please use this article as a reference guide to understand GH, and the Ca:Mg ratio. If you plan to "tinker", do your research, "measure twice, cut once", to ensure there's no bad experiences etc...., and ALL is done accordingly. :sleeping:

I thought I'd add this topic to accompany Blue Bolts great thread on correct ratios and dosing of Calcium and Magnesium. http://www.shrimpkeepersforum.com/forum/showthread.php/4383-GH-Ca-MG-Ratio So why is Calcium & Magnesium important to both aquarist who keep fish and those of us who keep shrimp? CALCIUM SULFATE: CaSO4 Calcium sulfate in your aquarium will keep a more stable electrolyte balance (for osmotic function), while magnesium is another important element that works with calcium. A proper amount of Calcium and Magnesium in your aquarium will affect your shrimp or fish health positively, including fish from low pH environments such as Apistos, Discus or German Rams Magnesium and Calcium have been shown to increase resistance to degenerate diseases by lowering the acidity in the body. This will help with prevention of ich and fungus in your fish. Calcium also helps in healing and stress, and without proper calcium levels healing may be difficult or impossible. Calcium is also important and has been shown to both prevent and treat Hole in the Head disease common to cichlids (also referred to as HITH). The addition of antibiotics (such as Tetracycline) will lower calcium absorption, while the presence of correct amounts of calcium in the aquarium water will considerable reduce the toxic side effects of Malachite Green which is why a GH (for freshwater calcium measurement) of 100 ppm (for freshwater) is SO VERY important to ich treatment. Calcium can adversely affect the kH of a discus aquarium when combined with sodium carbonates or bi carbonates, which is generally kept at a pH below 6.5. Not that calcium has a direct impact on raising or lowering kH, but that it assists in buffering the water to avoid swings in kH and thus pH. I have successfully used sources of calcium in discus (low pH) aquariums by using a mix of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water and tap water (dilution will vary depending on your tap and tank water parameters). Then add electrolytes/mineralsto the RO water and add peat to the filters. This method has been used successfully with discus and calcium added with no pH climb. The peat will leach minerals into the water that will bond with the Carbonate thereby preventing it from bonding to the “H+†ion, thereby lowering KH and subsequently pH. This is a good method for planted tanks as the nutrients can also be used by plants. Calcium sulfate is soluble in water. However, it's solubility is extremely poor. Only a small amount will dissolve, and this will take place extremely slowly over time. To improve solubility, use a mortar & pestle to crush into a fine powder before adding to water. Calcium is particularly important to the average shrimp and invertebrate keeper. Calcium plays a huge role in Osmoregulation. And as such plays a big role in assisting the shrimp's moulting cycle. Ever have shrimp die during a failed moult? Check the Calcium levels in your water. MAGNESIUM Magnesium is important for proper osmotic functions in fish and invertebrates. Magnesium is essential for Calcium assimilation, so when magnesium levels are low, the calcium supply becomes exhausted. For this reason, Magnesium is better added in the proper balance with calcium (which both are essential to each other for proper utilisation). Epsom salts that contain magnesium sulfate, are best used for therapeutic reasons such as to aid in flushing the system as it aids in and speeds osmotic function, and helps to move fluids out of the body. Sulfates, one of the major components of Epsom Salt, have been shown effective in improving nutrient absorption and toxin elimination. Magnesium, the other major component of Epsom Salt, plays a role in the activity of many enzymes. Also note that Epsom salts (MgSO4) do NOT evaporate or decompose, so only add more after water changes. Where to Buy: Calcium Sulfate CaSO4 can be purchase from Aqua Green Aquotix online store (aquariumonlinestore.com.au) Ace Chem (http://www.acechem.com.au) - bulk orders Magnesium Sulfate can be purchased from Aquotix online store (aquariumonlinestore.com.au) Bunnings (Manutec Epsom Salt) Big W (Manutec Epsom Salt) Ace Chem (http://www.acechem.com.au) - bulk orders If there are more sources, let me know and I'll update the list.