Aquatic Plant Central - View Single Post - [Wet Thumb Forum]-Calcium dosing to increase GH

javalee · 01-24-2006, 05:57 AM

I just wanted to update everyone interested in Ca++ Mg++ supplementing. I raised the GH of my 10g from 3dGH to 9dGH with CaCl2 and MgSO4 (epsom salt) thinking I would rarely have to add it again. However, I've noted that the plants must be sucking the Ca++ and Mg++ out of the water at a pretty good rate. Within 2 weeks of the first addition the GH was back down to 6 or 7. This week I checked and it was down to 4dGH!

So I'm adding it about every two weeks now. Of course, I just top of evaporation loss with tap water, and when doing water changes (which I'm doing more of than most natural tank people do lately as the DOC leach out of the soil) I replace with 8dGH water.

It's not a bad regimen as I've memorized about how much to add to get the 4:1 ratio of Ca++ and Mg++. I can usually test it and get the right amount within two tries. The fact that it's disappearing makes me think my plants are better off for getting an ample supply! The hornwort is finally growing as hornwort should---requiring thinning 2xs per week!

Below is a picture after serious thinning and pruning of hornwort, floating plants, and hygro.

01-24-2006, 05:57 AM	#27 (permalink)
javalee Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 142 iTrader Ratings: 0 Plant Points: 6200	I just wanted to update everyone interested in Ca++ Mg++ supplementing. I raised the GH of my 10g from 3dGH to 9dGH with CaCl2 and MgSO4 (epsom salt) thinking I would rarely have to add it again. However, I've noted that the plants must be sucking the Ca++ and Mg++ out of the water at a pretty good rate. Within 2 weeks of the first addition the GH was back down to 6 or 7. This week I checked and it was down to 4dGH! So I'm adding it about every two weeks now. Of course, I just top of evaporation loss with tap water, and when doing water changes (which I'm doing more of than most natural tank people do lately as the DOC leach out of the soil) I replace with 8dGH water. It's not a bad regimen as I've memorized about how much to add to get the 4:1 ratio of Ca++ and Mg++. I can usually test it and get the right amount within two tries. The fact that it's disappearing makes me think my plants are better off for getting an ample supply! The hornwort is finally growing as hornwort should---requiring thinning 2xs per week! Below is a picture after serious thinning and pruning of hornwort, floating plants, and hygro.