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: