Re: How do I reduce my GH

[Mike & Diane Wise <apistowise@bewellnet.com>]

Jeff,

I'm afraid there is no easy (or inexpensive) solution to reducing general (=
permanent) hardness in the "liquid cement" that you call water. As Dr. Kadar
says, R/O will waste a lot of water unless you get a professional pressurized
R/O unit, and you'll go through a lot of expensive membranes in the process.
Same goes for ion exchange resins (expensive). Your other alternative is to
dilute it with distilled water (18:1 distilled:tap). It just isn't worth it. I'd
suggest collecting rain water or maybe making a solar still in the backyard.
Such a still was discussed a while back.

Mike Wise

Jeff Katcher wrote:

> Hi all
>
>         I need to know what water conditions (in general) are good for Dwarf
> Cichlids.
>
>         What I have now is:
> General Hardness (GH): - Calcium and magnesius
> 54 DH
> 35.1 Clark
> 966.6 ppm
>
> Carbonate Hardness (KH): - Carbonate/Bicarbonate
> 2 DH
> 1.3 Clark
> 35.8 ppm
>
> Nitrite:
> 0
>
> Ammonia:
> 0
>
> pH:
> 6.5
>
>         I am POSITIVE that my Ammonia and Nitrates are good, my Carbonate
> Hardness (KH) looks good, but my General Hardness is off the scale.
> What can I do for reducing that without messing with the rest of the
> readings.
>
> Thanks
>         Jeff



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