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

dwalstad · 12-13-2005, 04:01 AM

Javalee,

What you've described is (by far) the most meaningful and easiest way to dose with calcium and magnesium. Otherwise, hobbyists will have to become chemists.

(NOTE: this procedure is only needed for very softwater aquariums where GH = 0- 6 and plants aren't doing well)

Steps in Procedure:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>Get starting GH of aquarium water

Prepare concentrated solutions of each chemical (MgSO4 and CaCl2)

Add a small portion of Mg solution to the aquarium and measure resulting GH increase

Add Mg solution until you get about what you want (I'd recommend a GH increase of about 1-2, no more)

Then start adding the Ca solution until you get a GH increase that is 4X that of the increased GH due to Mg

The final GH should be over 6, preferably around 8[/list]

12-13-2005, 04:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
dwalstad Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,103 iTrader Ratings: 0 Plant Points: 62275	Javalee, What you've described is (by far) the most meaningful and easiest way to dose with calcium and magnesium. Otherwise, hobbyists will have to become chemists. (NOTE: this procedure is only needed for very softwater aquariums where GH = 0- 6 and plants aren't doing well) Steps in Procedure: <UL TYPE=SQUARE>Get starting GH of aquarium water Prepare concentrated solutions of each chemical (MgSO4 and CaCl2) Add a small portion of Mg solution to the aquarium and measure resulting GH increase Add Mg solution until you get about what you want (I'd recommend a GH increase of about 1-2, no more) Then start adding the Ca solution until you get a GH increase that is 4X that of the increased GH due to Mg The final GH should be over 6, preferably around 8[/list]