Re: [GSAS-Member] pH and gender

["Dr. John Ruhland" <john@drruhland.com>]

Naturopathic Physicians used to prescribe Dolomite as a calcium supplement. 
That practice was discontinued when people started becoming aware that that the 
lead which is a natural part of dolomite was causing health problems.

I have used baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to increase pH a few times. This 
does not change the hardness of the water as far as I know. Dolomite of course 
would increase the water hardness.

Remember, that a one point change in pH equals a tenfold increase in 
alkalinity. That is, going from 6.5 to 7.5 makes the water ten times more 
alkaline. I try to avoid changing pH more than 1.0 at most per day. Start with 
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda at a time in a smaller tank. In my 72 gallon tank, 
to go from a pH of 7.0 to 7.2 took one tablespoon. I'm quite new to the hobby. 
I'd like to hear from someone who has more experience. I just wanted to let you 
all know that dolomite contains lead. 

Which reminds me, the lead tape used to hold down plants seems like it should 
be avoided, especially in acidic water conditions.

Regards, John

  ----- Original Message -----  
  From: auntie.fran@netzero.net 
  To: gsas-member@thekrib.com 
  Sent: Monday, February 21, 2005 1:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] pH and gender



  June, where does one find powdered dolomite?  The pharmacy?  The hardware 
store?  The LFS???


  Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.

  -- June Olberding <jdolb1@direcway.com> wrote:
  Hi Anita, 

  >From what you say, I presume you have soft water.

  I found that an easy, inexpensive and gentle way to increase pH is to harden
  the water with Dolomite. Its is cheap and easy. Just be sure you get the
  powder kind, which is very inexpensive, and not the stuff that is made into
  "pearls" or grandulated in some way becasue those have excepients in them to
  "glue" the powder into larger pieces and are not not good for fish tank. The
  minerals in the Dolomite will also benefit your plants.

  For 2 or 3 gal tank, you can safely add a tablespoon. If you are the extra
  cautious sort, start with a half or third that. The pH will slowly go up
  over a few days as the Dolomite is absorbed. Just pour it into back area of
  tank and it will be pulled in by the filter. If it "dusts" the plants, just
  agitate the water a little with your hand to clean the plants.

  One of the beauties of Dolomite, or similar compounds, is that as the pH
  rises, less is absorbed till it hits a balance. Then it more or less just
  "sits" there waiting to be absorbed a little when ever the pH drops so you
  have a stable environment with out adding chemicals at each water change. I
  found that I only needed to replenish the Dolomite every few weeks.

  If you play around with it and you will find a balance with the amount of
  Dolomite for the pH you want and will have an easy to manage tank.

  Good luck

  June Olberding    Currently in the Sonoran desert where it has rained almost
  as much this year as in Seattle but boy is the flower bloom something to
  see!



  on 2/17/05 6:17 PM, A JACOBSON at amjacobson52@msn.com wrote:

  > So that's my problem -- my tanks are all acidic, and my Endlers are almost 
all
  > males.  So how do I gently boost the Ph in my EXTREMELY simple Endler's tank
  > (2 or 3 gallons, water sprite & hornwort, undergravel filter, & clip on
  > full-spectrum incandescent for both heat & light.)  It's been going without
  > anything but water changes for several months, so it's definitely on the
  > acidic side.  Since it is such a small tank, I want to GENTLY nudge the ph,
  > rather than make an abrupt change.
  > 
  > I'd be willing to set up a 10 or 20 gallon for them, if that's what 
necessary
  > to make them produce more females.
  > 
  > Anita
  > ----- Original Message ----- 

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