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gh levels

Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 3:06 pm
by craigzeb
tested my water this morning my level all ok ph was 6.5 to 7 my gh was 3 as it started to change colour after 3 drops is this too low or ok for my zebs ??

Re: gh levels

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:39 am
by TwoTankAmin
For living in, the GH doesn't have to be at a given level. However, when it comes to spawning there are other issues one must consider.

Bear in mind that in the wild there is a significant difference in peak levels both high and low for GH (more appropriately conductivity or TDS) and that the change from highs to lows happens fairly fast. So the fish are pretty adaptable.

Re: gh levels

Posted: Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:46 pm
by craigzeb
so would you say gh of 3 is to low to be spawning ?? as it says ideal is 5 for them to spawn ??

Re: gh levels

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:50 pm
by TwoTankAmin
It isn't the absolute levels that are critical so much as the difference between them. It is the seasonal drop in TDS/Conductivity/GH complex that triggers them. They spawn in response to the change over from dry to rainy seasons.

A few other things are also happening as a result of the change such as a pH difference, a temperature difference, a food availability difference. And all of these are heralded by a change in the barometric pressure that alerts the fish that the change is about to occur.

Re: gh levels

Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:47 pm
by wu19
Please help with tds. How to lower it? I add ro water, do ro water changes. It rises to 500 to 600. Zebs are eating and looking fine but how can I lower this tds :?:

Re: gh levels

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 5:01 am
by TwoTankAmin
Start by checking the TDS coming out of your ro unit. You may need to replace the membrane or other components.

Re: gh levels

Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:13 pm
by wu19
Thank you sir. I kept changing the water 25% then 50% change for a week and finally I'm at a steady 200 tds. :D