[Killietalk] carbonates (probably)

["Edd Kray" <edd at catfishnthecrawlers_com>]

I'm looking for some advice from you chemists out there.
 
Here in the new place, I'm finding my fish being very stingy with their
eggs. Even the old reliable gardneri P-82 that would lay 50-100.day have
really slowed down.
 
I'm suspecting my water. It comes from a community well and although
fairly low in TDS (60-80), the pH is fairly high (around 8 on the
average, often higher). I suspect carbonates and hardness (by the true
definition of hard, not TDS*) may be the problem. I will call my water
supplier this week and get an analysis as a first step in solving the
problem. Then I may bring in a barrel and try Barry Cooper's HCl
treatment. 
 
Now my questions:
 
1)       Anyone have any real info on the effect of hardness on fish,
ovaries and, especially eggs. ( I see lots of eggs go bad here). If you
have a technical reference, I'd love to access it.
 
2)       How about a refresher on the "Barry Cooper" water treatment
method. How much HCl do you add and how do you know how much is enough?
 
Of course, the good news here is that whatever is buffering this water,
it never goes acid on me like my old water supply would. It just stays
at pH 8 for months.
 
Edd
 
In balmy, sunny, 65 degree Colorado...(I know, wait until next week)
 
* but my soap in the shower doesn't show the symptoms of routine
hardness (no lather and a soap scum)
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