Question about GH

Hi all,

I tested my GH/KH earlier today and am very confused by the results. My KH measured 4* on the api test kit and my GH measured 22*(the pH in the tank is 7.3) on the test kit. GH from my tap is only 9* how did my tank water get up to 22?? Is that correct? I have some other test strips on the way to confirm. Should I be worried? I only do a 25-30% water change once a week, is that too much for a 20 gallon? I also use wonder shells for my mystery snails as I thought I needed more calcium for them.. Are they raising the GH of my tank? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

If wonder shells supply calcium into the water, that is what is raising your GH.

Calcium + Magnesium = GH

If you add Calcium, you increase GH.

 

If wonder shells supply calcium into the water, that is what is raising your GH.

Calcium + Magnesium = GH

If you add Calcium, you increase GH.

Alright that makes sense. I will remove the wonder shell from my tank. I recently had 2 bettas develop dropsy Could a GH that high of caused any issues? Also what range of GH should I aim for for a betta/nerite/mystery snails?

 

Also what range of GH should I aim for for a betta/nerite/mystery snails?

Your tapwater parameters are good for them.

 

Hi all,

Should I be worried? I only do a 25-30% water change once a week, is that too much for a 20 gallon? I also use wonder shells for my mystery snails as I thought I needed more calcium for them.. Are they raising the GH of my tank? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

As long as source water and tank water have close to the same parameters, you add your water conditioner and temp match the fresh water you are not going to be changing out too much water. So no, changing out 25-30% isn't changing out too much. That should be enough in a lightly stocked tank. If the tank is heavily stocked I would be changing out even more each week and then once a month I would change out more than normal.

Larger water changes should keep the parameters of the tank close to the same as your source water so it will be safe to do big water changes. If tank water and source water are vastly different big water changes can affect fish. That doesn't seem to be the case here.

I agree with Chanyi The wonder shells are the reason for the difference in gh levels.

 

Your tapwater parameters are good for them.

As long as source water and tank water have close to the same parameters, you add your water conditioner and temp match the fresh water you are not going to be changing out too much water. So no, changing out 25-30% isn't changing out too much. That should be enough in a lightly stocked tank. If the tank is heavily stocked I would be changing out even more each week and then once a month I would change out more than normal.

Larger water changes should keep the parameters of the tank close to the same as your source water so it will be safe to do big water changes. If tank water and source water are vastly different big water changes can affect fish. That doesn't seem to be the case here.

I agree with Chanyi The wonder shells are the reason for the difference in gh levels.

Alright, cool. So If I take the wonder shells out my GH will start going back down through water changes? Or should I do a large water change to get it back down? Is a GH this high harmful?

 

Alright, cool. So If I take the wonder shells out my GH will start going back down through water changes? Or should I do a large water change to get it back down? Is a GH this high harmful?

Not really harmful, but a large water change with water that has a significantly lower GH could cause some osmoregulation issues possibly.

Probably not a huge issue, but a few normal water changes should bring it down.

 

Not really harmful, but a large water change with water that has a significantly lower GH could cause some osmoregulation issues possibly.

Probably not a huge issue, but a few normal water changes should bring it down.

Awesome, thank you for the help Another quick question, do you think my kH is suitable? I haven't had any pH swings I just want to make sure.

 

Awesome, thank you for the help Another quick question, do you think my kH is suitable? I haven't had any pH swings I just want to make sure.

Any KH 1 or above is enough to avoid swings, especially if you are performing regular water changes.

I personally run 0.5 degrees in some cases, but 1.0 works for me lately (planted tank stuff).

 

Any KH 1 or above is enough to avoid swings, especially if you are performing regular water changes.

I personally run 0.5 degrees in some cases, but 1.0 works for me lately (planted tank stuff).

Alrighty, thank you for all the help