Goldfish neutralizer block

[kagentx]

is it ok to scrape this block into the tank for calcium and magnesium? if so how much? i need to increase the gH reading. it contains sodium, chloride, thiamine, hydrochloride, calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate. The fish clerk told me it is alright for the plants, but having heard false facts from them before i've decided to ask here for the more professionals

[malkore]

all you need to raise Gh is epsom salts, from a pharmacy. I wouldn't add all that extra stuff.

[BASSNMAN]

Usually its the kh not the gh you need for a planted tank. Baking soda will raise the kh without effecting the gh.

[kagentx]

No gH reading means calcium or magnesium deficiency doesn't it?

[malkore]

Originally Posted by kagentx

No gH reading means calcium or magnesium deficiency doesn't it?

It means low levels of those two compounds...which in a planted tank would suggest a good chance of a deficiency.

[jsoong]

You goldfish block contains sodium chloride as first ingredient... That is plain old salt! A lot of [acronym:da10376c52="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:da10376c52] plants don't do well in salt water!

I agree with what's been said before, add only what you need. Use epsom salt ([acronym:da10376c52="milligrams or magnesium, depending on context"]Mg[/acronym:da10376c52] SO4) for [acronym:da10376c52="milligrams or magnesium, depending on context"]Mg[/acronym:da10376c52], and crushed coral/limestone or oyster shells (all [acronym:da10376c52="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:da10376c52] [acronym:da10376c52="Carbonate"]CO3[/acronym:da10376c52]) for [acronym:da10376c52="Calcium"]Ca[/acronym:da10376c52]. [acronym:da10376c52="Calcium carbonate"]CaCO3[/acronym:da10376c52] will also increase your [acronym:da10376c52="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:da10376c52] as well.

[Steve Hampton]

Using crushed coral, limestone, cuttlebone, etc. will raise [acronym:34b24b4110="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:34b24b4110] but the results are slow and unpredictable. You can purchase calcium carbonate in powered form from www.gregwatson.com or you can use calcium chloride purchased from greg or a pool supply store if you don't want to increase [acronym:34b24b4110="Carbonate Hardness"]KH[/acronym:34b24b4110] and pH when you add the calcium. Anytime you purposely increase [acronym:34b24b4110="General Hardness"]GH[/acronym:34b24b4110] I think it's very helpful to do so at a 4:1 ratio of calcium:magnesium. I'm not suggesting that this is ideal and/or the only ratio that works or is important, I'm simply suggesting that using this ratio won't ever get you to where either is lacking or where either is overdosed. Having extreme ratios in either direction can effect (lockup) potassium and other nutrient uptake by plants.

[kagentx]

thanks that clears up my gH/kH matters. But will i be able to get calcium carbonate elsewhere? because grewatson charges $9 for shipping.

[Steve Hampton]

Homebrewing (Beer Making) Supply stores carry calcium carbonate in a powdered forum, most will also carry gypsum (Calcium Sulfate) as an alternative to Calcium Chloride. The cost should be about $2.00 and no shipping if it's local and can be picked up.

Note: I should have mentioned that adding powdered calcium carbonate will likely cause cloudy water for several hours. Calcium Carbonate is largely insoluble, [acronym:fef4ce4171="Carbon dioxide"]CO2[/acronym:fef4ce4171] injection aids greatly in causing to to dissolve.

[kagentx]

thanks for these helpful advice steve
hmm if that's the case, won't those calcium rock they sell in [acronym:ac7e5a9094="Local Fish Store"]LFS[/acronym:ac7e5a9094] work? they release calcium carbonate