SalvadorNL
Member
hello UKAPS,
I am a new member an have posted a short introduction in the new members section.
In short I am in the process of setting up a hi-tech planted community tank in a Fluval Roma 200.But in the past have always done lo-tech tanks.
Now I have a question about the hard water in Cambridge (uk) and was hoping you guys can help me out.
When I measured the Kh and Gh of my tap water they were Kh: 13 and Gh: 20 (German dH) Although Cambridge Water claims the water has a Kh of 17... (I used nutrafin master test kit to test).
This is pretty hard water, and due to the limestone, there is also a very high Ca content. Is this too hard?
I know a considerable amount about chemistry, but do not know what to do. I have read and understood that most fish can handle hard water. But also read that the advised hardness is a Kh of 4-8 and a Gh of 5-10. Could I and or should I mix up my tap water with RO water to half the values, will I be losing much other minerals, or would the dry fert dosing replenish those?
Another question.
If I do mix with RO water, would a wonder shell be good? I have used wonder shells in the past with good success (lo-tech), and Ca or Mg does not dissolve out of the shell unless the concentration in the water drops below a certain point (at least what I've read). I know Seachem Replenish does a similar thing, but adds back calcium as well, which is not really essential in Cambridge Water. And has no long term buffering/releasing capacity + costs more.
Apologies for long story,
Thanks for any help,
S
I am a new member an have posted a short introduction in the new members section.
In short I am in the process of setting up a hi-tech planted community tank in a Fluval Roma 200.But in the past have always done lo-tech tanks.
Now I have a question about the hard water in Cambridge (uk) and was hoping you guys can help me out.
When I measured the Kh and Gh of my tap water they were Kh: 13 and Gh: 20 (German dH) Although Cambridge Water claims the water has a Kh of 17... (I used nutrafin master test kit to test).
This is pretty hard water, and due to the limestone, there is also a very high Ca content. Is this too hard?
I know a considerable amount about chemistry, but do not know what to do. I have read and understood that most fish can handle hard water. But also read that the advised hardness is a Kh of 4-8 and a Gh of 5-10. Could I and or should I mix up my tap water with RO water to half the values, will I be losing much other minerals, or would the dry fert dosing replenish those?
Another question.
If I do mix with RO water, would a wonder shell be good? I have used wonder shells in the past with good success (lo-tech), and Ca or Mg does not dissolve out of the shell unless the concentration in the water drops below a certain point (at least what I've read). I know Seachem Replenish does a similar thing, but adds back calcium as well, which is not really essential in Cambridge Water. And has no long term buffering/releasing capacity + costs more.
Apologies for long story,
Thanks for any help,
S