[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Water hardness levels
> Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1999 12:44:02 -0400
> From: "Bennett, William" <wbennett at jt_cc.va.us>
> Subject: Water hardness levels
>
> I just finished reading an article called "General and Carbonate
Hardness"
> by Albert J. Thiel. In this article he offered "suggested levels for
> hardnesses" in tanks:
> "Freshwater fish-only tanks
> dKH or carbonate hardness: 7-8
> General or total hardness: 4 to 5
> Freshwater plant tanks
> dKH or carbonate hardness: 3 to max. 5.5/6
> General or total hardness: 2 to 3 maximum"
>
> My question is: if the above is to be accepted, how does one adjust for a
> plant tank WITH FISH?
> Thoughts anyone?
My two cents worth, based on a recent battle with exactly those parameters:
I find it fascinating that someone thought to generalize about KH and GH
requirements across the entire hobby. Here in San Francisco we're blessed
with 3.0dGH/3.0dKH 7.5pH right out of the tap, with an almost indiscernible
level of phosphates. After messing with it some, I found my C. Japonica
like 3.0dGH, and that by setting my alkalinity at 5.0dKH I can pretty-much
set and maintain the CO2 concentration I want - I dial the CO2 flow until
my pH hits 6.8. This works very well for my plants and all the critters
seem pleased as punch.
Point is, I can imagine going through the same exploration and arriving at
a COMPLETELY different conclusion if my tap-water had different properties!
---------------------------------------------
michael rubin
michael at rubinworld_com
http://www.rubinworld.com