KH and GH readings

Fishie-Fingers · #1 05-28-2008, 01:10 PM

Hi guys and gals,
I`ve tested for these levels just out of curiosity really, but I have no idea what the results mean!
The Kh reading was 12 drops to turn tank water from blue to yellow, and Gh reading was 15 drops to turn from pink to blue.

My problem is, does it mean that a high number is good or bad? and are these readings the equivalent to the laymans term for as soft water/hard and acidic/alkaline water?

Please help!!!

Fry Lover · #2 05-28-2008, 04:10 PM

If that's the Nutrafin test kit, the results mean KH is 120mg/l and GH is 300mg/l

Coverted to Degrees (or the degree's that most fish keepers refer to), your KH is 6.7 and GH 16.8

That's similar to my water readings here in London, it means your water is hard (as opposed to soft). Perfect for Malawi fish, but also quite okay for many, many types of community fish in general and many cichlids in general (okay it's a little on the high side, but i don't view it as an issue for the vast majority of everyday fish)

There are fish such as Discus and perhaps wild caught fish from naturally soft water that you might want to think twice about keeping.

Here's a link on some general info

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/hardness.htm

Fishie-Fingers · #3 05-29-2008, 04:44 PM

Thanks for that mate,
I`ve seen the rainbows gettin frisky and they`ve scattered some eggs over some of the fine plants I have, so they must be quite happy!
Like you say, I dont think I will fuss about the water readings, the fish I have dont require any special treatment, and have adapted ok. I guess I`d only want to alter things if I wanted perfect breeding conditions.
The bristlenose is awesome, doin his job well, but OMG, arent they messy buggers, leavin their timberturds all over the place!! lol
Hope your setups are all doin well, and thanks again for your reply and advice.

Fry Lover · #4 05-29-2008, 08:38 PM

congrats on the Rainbow's (in terms of i reckon its a good sign they are enjoying it in there!), mine display breeding behaviours but i never see any eggs, i think the Parrots would eat them within 5 seconds!

Fishie-Fingers · #5 06-01-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fry Lover

congrats on the Rainbow's (in terms of i reckon its a good sign they are enjoying it in there!), mine display breeding behaviours but i never see any eggs, i think the Parrots would eat them within 5 seconds!

I just been watching a pair this morning, the lake kutuba male is gorgeous when he is displaying, his nose flashes from orange to gold, sort of pulsing, never seen a fish do that before, (thought only squid could do that quick a colour change), he puts his head down and quickly twitches it in her direction, then they settle beside one another, and out come the eggs, and he releases his milt at the same time, unfortunately into the eagerly awaiting mouths of the tetras! still extra protein for them!
So like you said, they must be happy with their environment, not sure if any of the eggs that do escape from hungry mouths and settle somewhere safe will hatch, I think my water is on the hard side for optimum hatching conditions.
My plants are looking alot healthier, made up a co2 system and added some fertilizer sticks to the roots, so all good!
Looking forward to some other fish purchases, a female friend for the bristle nose, and maybe some clown loach.