Hi
Just come back to the hobby and always wanted to grow plants so decided to setup a large planted tank in living room (8'×2.5'×2')
Long story short due to the phenomenal costs of substrates, tank, stand and lights, I cut a few corners with DIY LED lights, aquatic compost and baked clay oil spill pellets, Co2 fire extinguisher system.
After setting the tank up last weekend I finally managed to get some basic test kits only to find that my Gh was 360ppm, Kh 72ppm but Ph was 6.7, after investigation I found that test samples of the aquatic compost and capping layer of baked clay had similar readings, everything else being inert.
I am going to assume that given time and frequent water changes the "hardness" leeching from these substrates will reduce.
I am also assuming that what is being leeched is magnesium, if it had been calcium the Ph would of gone up ( correct me if I am wrong)
My question is how would high levels of Magnesium affect plants and soft water fish like tetras?
Any suggestions appreciated
P.S At the moment the plants are shooting up, some of them up to 2" per day
Just come back to the hobby and always wanted to grow plants so decided to setup a large planted tank in living room (8'×2.5'×2')
Long story short due to the phenomenal costs of substrates, tank, stand and lights, I cut a few corners with DIY LED lights, aquatic compost and baked clay oil spill pellets, Co2 fire extinguisher system.
After setting the tank up last weekend I finally managed to get some basic test kits only to find that my Gh was 360ppm, Kh 72ppm but Ph was 6.7, after investigation I found that test samples of the aquatic compost and capping layer of baked clay had similar readings, everything else being inert.
I am going to assume that given time and frequent water changes the "hardness" leeching from these substrates will reduce.
I am also assuming that what is being leeched is magnesium, if it had been calcium the Ph would of gone up ( correct me if I am wrong)
My question is how would high levels of Magnesium affect plants and soft water fish like tetras?
Any suggestions appreciated
P.S At the moment the plants are shooting up, some of them up to 2" per day