This is a mix-up between the particular water property being measured and the scale on which the result is expressed. Because dH values refer to a German hardness scale, I have heard GH mistakenly referred to as German hardness which is incorrect. Africans are most likely to appear vibrant and colorful in aquariums with a general hardness ranging from 160-320 ppm (ppm) or 9-18 dH (Deutsch hardness). General hardness or total hardness is a measure of the magnesium and calcium in the water. This means, for example, that a pH of 8.0 is 10 times more alkaline than a pH of 7.0. Keep in mind that the pH scale is logarithmic (like the Richter scale used to measure the intensity of earthquakes). When adjustment is necessary, avoid changes greater than. While common tropical fish are happiest right around neutral, African cichlids prefer the following alkaline ranges:įish are extremely sensitive to changes in pH and it is important to maintain a stable level in your aquarium. With a measurement of 7 being neutral, less than 7 is acidic and greater than 7 is alkaline. It refers to water being acidic, basic (alkaline) or neutral. PH is probably the single most important property to understand and monitor. These are expressed by measuring three basic properties: pH, GH and KH. Fish keepers are mainly concerned with how acidic or alkaline the water is, and what concentration and variety of dissolved minerals it contains. This made it very difficult to actually use any of the data I was collecting.Īs it turns out, it?s not really all that complicated. I was diligent about testing and recording the results, but never had a very good understanding about what these properties were and how they affected my fish. When I got started in the hobby I was sold a complete test laboratory which included tests for 5 different things. Water chemistry can be a bit daunting to the beginner aquarist at least it was for me.
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