The Planted Tank Forum banner

Do Plants React to Quick Changes in GH?

588 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  WallaceGrover
I added GH booster to raise my GH from 1 to 5 in preperation for shrimp, and I was curious if it could cause plants to melt...
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
If you added WAY WAY WAY too much, maybe.
Seachem Equilibrium, and some GH boosters contain potassium as well as Ca and Mg.
I have never heard of over dosing the plants with K, Ca or Mg they seem just fine with lots of it (if it is in the product you used). It is true that a large over dose of one mineral may interfere with the uptake of another. Do you think you have gone way too far with the dosing?

The fish are another matter.
They regulate their body chemistry based on the TDS of the water. If there are sudden changes to the minerals or salt levels in the water they may have a hard time adjusting. I do not know how sensitive shrimp are to changes in GH, KH or TDS.
If you added WAY WAY WAY too much, maybe.
Seachem Equilibrium, and some GH boosters contain potassium as well as Ca and Mg.
I have never heard of over dosing the plants with K, Ca or Mg they seem just fine with lots of it (if it is in the product you used). It is true that a large over dose of one mineral may interfere with the uptake of another. Do you think you have gone way too far with the dosing?

The fish are another matter.
They regulate their body chemistry based on the TDS of the water. If there are sudden changes to the minerals or salt levels in the water they may have a hard time adjusting. I do not know how sensitive shrimp are to changes in GH, KH or TDS.
It was just 3/4 of a teaspoon in 5 gallons, so I don't think it would be way too much.

You're very well studied about all this, are you Diana Walstad?
It is possible that crypts would melt if you made a big change in water parameters. Those can be pretty picky about keeping the same conditions as they are used to. If they do "melt", they soon grow back.
It is possible that crypts would melt if you made a big change in water parameters. Those can be pretty picky about keeping the same conditions as they are used to. If they do "melt", they soon grow back.
Yeah, luckily I haven't really had any problems with them melting after being first established. I've really only ever noticed melting if I just got them...
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top