| Many aquarists overlook the need for calcium, | | | | which is generally kept at a pH below 6.5. I have |
| electrolytes, magnesium and the effect of a | | | | successfully used calcium (Wonder Shells or |
| proper KH (Carbonate hardness) in their | | | | Calcium Polygluconate) in discus aquariums by |
| freshwater aquarium. KH is basically the buffering | | | | using a mix of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water and |
| capacity of your aquarium, a Kh above 80 ppm | | | | tap water (dilution will vary depending on your tap |
| helps prevent sudden drops in ph (You can | | | | and tank water parameters). I then add |
| convert dH [German hardness] ppm by multiplying | | | | electrolytes to the RO water and add peat to the |
| your dH by 17.9). This is especially important with | | | | filters. I have used this method successfully with |
| livebearers, goldfish, African cichlids, brackish and | | | | discus and added the needed calcium with no pH |
| many other freshwater fish. The production of | | | | climb. |
| Nitrates (nitric acid) will slowly reduce your ph, but | | | | Other needs for calcium: |
| a proper KH will keep a more stable ph. This is | | | | • Calcium is a vital component in blood clotting |
| important to note, if your KH is low and your ph | | | | systems and also helps in wound healing. |
| has been dropping, a large water change (don't | | | | • Calcium helps to control nerve transmission, |
| get me wrong, water changes are VERY | | | | and release of neurotransmitters. |
| important) can cause stress on your fish, or even | | | | • Calcium is an essential component in the |
| kill them. | | | | production of enzymes and hormones that |
| KH | | | | regulate digestion, energy, and fat metabolism. |
| Another consideration of KH is that you can | | | | • Calcium helps to transport ions (electrically |
| generally safely add the buffers (both freshwater | | | | charged particles) across the membrane. |
| and saltwater) that effect KH without sudden | | | | • Calcium is essential for muscle contraction. |
| changes in chemistry (unless your KH is under 80 | | | | • Calcium assists in maintaining all cells and |
| ppm already), unlike a direct ph or GH change. For | | | | connective tissues in the body. |
| this reason you do not always have to check | | | | Other needs for Magnesium: |
| your KH before adding buffers such as Wonder | | | | • Normal calcium balance in organs |
| shells. | | | | • Healthy muscles |
| Baking Soda (Sodium Bi-Carbonate HCO3-), is | | | | • Healthy nerve transduction |
| often used for KH, Sodium Bi-Carbonate will | | | | • Healthy calcium balance in blood vessels |
| buffer at 8.0 to 8.2. They are very good at | | | | ELECTROLYTES; |
| buffering at that pH. Just a little carbonate will | | | | Electrolytes are molecular substances containing |
| absorb free H+ ions, and this causes alkalinity | | | | free ions which behave as an electrically |
| (which is the lack of H+ ions). To stop the | | | | conductive medium. In fish (or other living things) |
| carbonate ions from consuming too much H+ and | | | | the primary ions of electrolytes are sodium (Na+), |
| to keep a pH of 7.0 we need to restrict the | | | | potassium (K+), calcium (Ca++), magnesium |
| amount of Baking Soda used, as it is always | | | | (Mg++), chloride (Cl-), phosphate (PO4---), and |
| looking for H+ ions to consume. This is why I | | | | hydrogen carbonate (HCO3-). |
| prefer using Calcium based products, Wonder | | | | Fish and other aquatic life forms require a subtle |
| Shells being my first choice, aragonite my second. | | | | and complex electrolyte balance between the |
| Back to baking soda, this is an old stand by | | | | intracellular (inside the cell) and extra cellular |
| method based on the fact that baking soda does | | | | (outside the cell such as plasma membranes) |
| raise pH and kH, the problem is there is much | | | | environment. In particular, the maintenance of |
| new research to show that calcium, magnesium, | | | | precise osmotic gradients of electrolytes is |
| electrolytes and Redox play a more important | | | | important. These gradients affect and regulate |
| role in aquatic chemistry than just pH or basic kH | | | | the hydration of the fish, blood pH, and disease |
| alone. Unfortunately the aquatics hobby is full of | | | | resistance and are important for proper nerve |
| aquarist (especially in forums or uninformed LFS) | | | | and muscle function. |
| that regurgitate this old information without | | | | Salt is commonly used in a dose of one |
| checking the facts. | | | | tablespoon per 5 gallons (20 liters) in freshwater |
| A proper KH can also have a positive effect on | | | | aquariums. This is one way to add some |
| the aquarium Redox Potential, which recent | | | | electrolytes, but this should not be the only |
| studies have shown to be more important to fish | | | | (Wonder Shells add many other electrolytes). Salt |
| and other animal health than pH. Proper electrolyte | | | | also will aid in disease prevention as it will help with |
| balance contributes to the Redox reduction | | | | the generation of the slime coat (or Mucous) on |
| potential of water, maintaining a more stable | | | | fish as salt acts on the osmotic gradient. But care |
| water environment, better clarity and the excess | | | | needs to be given with salt sensitive fish such as |
| electrons attach themselves to free radicals, | | | | catfish not to exceed this amount. Another |
| improving disease resistance. | | | | aspect of salt is that although it aids in the |
| If you have a very unstable KH level (drops | | | | prevention and even treatment of Freshwater Ich |
| rapidly), look into causes such as a large amount | | | | (Ichthyophthirius multifilis), it is poor treatment for |
| of decomposing organic material. The more | | | | a full blown infection despite many anecdotal |
| organic break down (de-nitrification), the more | | | | comments by many. |
| acids produced. Some filters if not cleaned | | | | For MUCH more on the effects of electrolytes |
| regularly can cause this; including canister, UGF, | | | | and their funtions in freshwater and saltwater: |
| and Wet/Dry. | | | | How do Fish Drink; Proper Osmotic Function |
| GH | | | | FACTS ABOUT ELECTROLYTES AND CALCIUM; |
| General hardness (GH) refers to the dissolved | | | | * All fish require calcium and electrolytes, including |
| concentration primarily of magnesium and other | | | | discus, bettas, tetras and other soft water fish. In |
| mineral ions. Both Calcium and magnesium are | | | | fact the lack of electrolytes and calcium is a |
| important for proper internal osmotic processes in | | | | major problem for poor health in bettas and |
| fish (and invertebrates). Other ions can contribute | | | | discus. |
| to water hardness but are usually insignificant and | | | | * It is possible to have adequate calcium and |
| difficult to measure. When fish are said to prefer | | | | electrolytes without raising pH to a harmful level |
| ``soft'' or ``hard'' water, it is GH, not the kH that is | | | | for discus, bettas and other fish that generally |
| being referred to. GH will not directly affect pH | | | | prefer low pH water (many discus breeders in LA |
| although "hard" water is generally alkaline due to | | | | keep there discus pH higher than in the wild |
| some interaction of GH and kH. A high GH in | | | | anyway). |
| freshwater can cause respiration problems in fish, | | | | Wonder Shells: |
| for a general freshwater aquarium a GH between | | | | A product called a “Wonder Shell” will help |
| 50-100 ppm is best (lower for Discus, higher for | | | | with your calcium, magnesium, and Kh of your |
| mollies/ African Cichlids). | | | | aquarium. I prefer them over crushed coral, as |
| Magnesium is important in SMALL quantities for | | | | from my experience, the calcium contained in |
| proper osmotic functions in fish. | | | | crushed coral does not dissolve rapidly enough (I |
| Magnesium is better added in the proper balance | | | | have seen African cichlid aquariums with 2+" of |
| with calcium (which both are essential to each | | | | crushed coral drop in ph from 8.2 to 7.4 and even |
| other for proper utilization), in such products as | | | | some marine, without adequate water changes). |
| Wonder Shells or aragonite sand in a small bag in | | | | Wonder Shells also come in a medicated version |
| the filter (although the later is not as reliable). | | | | for control of aquarium ich and fungus. |
| CALCIUM CARBONATE: | | | | Here are a few of their attributes: |
| Calcium carbonate in your aquarium will keep a | | | | * Helps keep aquarium clear |
| more stable Kh, while magnesium is another | | | | * Maintains stable ph |
| important element that works with calcium. A | | | | * Adds necessary minerals (electrolytes) |
| proper amount of Calcium and Magnesium in your | | | | * Removes chlorine |
| aquarium will affect the fish’ health positively. | | | | * Great for Goldfish, livebearers, cichlids, and |
| Besides helping to keep a stable Kh, magnesium | | | | more |
| and calcium have been shown to increase | | | | * Contains Calcium carbonate; sodium thiosulfate; |
| resistance to degenerate diseases by lowering the | | | | major, minor, and trace elements including |
| acidity in the body. This will help with prevention | | | | magnesium sulfate. Magnesium and calcium been |
| of ich, fungus, and general “wear and | | | | proven to help fish (and humans) during stress |
| tear” in your fish. Calcium also helps in healing | | | | and to help prevent disease due to acid buildup in |
| and stress, and without proper calcium levels | | | | the body. |
| healing may be difficult or impossible. The addition | | | | For more aquarium information and a picture of |
| of antibiotics (such as Tetracycline) will lower | | | | the pH scale see our full article below: |
| calcium absorption. | | | | Calcium, KH, and Magnesium in Aquariums; How to |
| Another note about calcium; Calcium is very | | | | maintain a Proper KH, why calcium and |
| important to proper discus health, yet calcium can | | | | electrolytes are important. |
| adversely affect the pH of a discus aquarium, | | | | |