[Diana]

GH test measures calcium and magnesium. Many critters (fish, shrimp, snails) have specific requirements for GH in a certain range. If you have white crusty stuff around the sink then you probably have high GH, also called hard water. The other clue is the plants that are thriving for you. Most plants will grow under a wide range of parameters, but some plants thrive with higher mineral levels.

KH test measures the carbonates and bicarbonates. Some plants can use the carbonates as a source of carbon, so, again, the plants that are thriving for you suggests the KH is up there a bit. KH also acts like a buffer to stabilize the pH. Usually if the KH is high the pH will be high and difficult to change. If the KH is low then the pH could be anywhere, and is easily changed. pH or 7.4 is not very high. Suggests a moderate level of KH.

To raise the GH I use Seachem Equilibrium. Other GH boosters are out there, but read the label. Make sure they do not have salt (sodium chloride).

To raise the KH I use potassium bicarbonate. You can also use baking soda.

Before you do anything, get a hardness test and test both of these values.

 

[MassiveDynamic17]

Thanks, Diana, for the reply

Finally got a GH KH test kit. Here are my water parameters

KH 53.7 ppm
GH 89.5 ppm
pH 7.6
nitrate 20 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
ammonia .25 ppm


I haven't been diligent about water changes- i used to do it about twice a week, but the last 3 weeks or so I've been doing it about once a week.

My nitrate levels are usually 0 ppm, but right now it's at 20 ppm... Should I be worried?

My ammonia levels are usually 0 ppm, but it's at .25 ppm... Again, should I be worried?

I bought tourmaline mineral balls and Salty Shrimp Bee Shrimp Mineral GH+. (In the mail, otw)

Also, one last question- I planted a new plant, which stirred up some soil from the gravel. And then I did a partial water change. Could that have corrupted my test results? I want to test the water again tonight. But in the meantime, thanks for your input!

 

[MassiveDynamic17]

I added one serving (not enough to bring the GH up to whatever 'normal' is) and the shrimp seem to love it. I see a lot of them swimming around, trying to mate with each other

Though, I haven't seen any of my older shrimp, ie, the dream blue ones.

What is the ideal GH level? And given how I've described my tank, are there any other issues to address?

Thanks!

 

[jasonpatterson]

Neocaridinae are very forgiving of tank conditions in general. You've got reasonably good shrimp water at the moment. The pH/KH are a bit high for caridinae (CRS, CBS, tiger shrimp, etc) but they're perfectly acceptable for neos. It's a tad soft (low GH) for neos, but again, they're really very forgiving. They ought to survive and breed in anything from about 3 - 15+ dGH (50 - 250 ppm.)

Any ammonia in the tank is bad news, but it's probably due to stirring things up in this case. If you retest the water and it still shows ammonia, that's something to be concerned about.

Have you gotten any babies yet?

 

[MassiveDynamic17]

Thanks Jason for the response!

I tested my water again (without stirring up the substrate) and here are my new results

pH 8.0
ammonia 0 ppm
nitrate 20-40 ppm (the colors on the testing chart are really similar. I'd guess 30 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
KH 3 drops, 53.7 ppm
GH 5 drops, 89.5 ppm

The rise in pH worries me a bit. I put in an Indian almond leaf and did a partial water change (RO water).

Anyone care to enlighten me on possible reasons for the pH spike?

Ah, and Jason, forgot to answer your question-

I have 2 pregnant females. I had 3, but one of them dropped her eggs and they got eaten by other shrimp. I saw them eating the mucus or whatever surrounds the eggs- dunno if they ate the eggs themselves.

I recently added 10 black diamond shrimp that actually look brownish. The breeder said they are dark dark blue, and I hope when they breed with the cheap velvet ones, I'll get at least a couple nice blue ones.