Epsom salt

[JAYBIRD1011]

If there's a sticky thread for this please point me in the right direction. I need to know if Epsom salt is okay to use to raise water hardness. I have a 75 long. Eheim pro 2 and rena cannister filter units. 1 synodontis catfish around 9". And 6 frontosa babies around 1" each. pH at 7.6. hardness at 150. I understand they like hard water and high pH.
Specifically 8.0 pH. Around 300 hardness. I'm just not sure how to get there safely. I want them to be happy and healthy in their new home. Thanks for any input.

 

[tlindsey]

If there's a sticky thread for this please point me in the right direction. I need to know if Epsom salt is okay to use to raise water hardness. I have a 75 long. Eheim pro 2 and rena cannister filter units. 1 synodontis catfish around 9". And 6 frontosa babies around 1" each. pH at 7.6. hardness at 150. I understand they like hard water and high pH.
Specifically 8.0 pH. Around 300 hardness. I'm just not sure how to get there safely. I want them to be happy and healthy in their new home. Thanks for any input.

Epsom salt is used to treat fish bloat and it acts like a laxative. You could place coral substrate in a mesh bag and it will help bring up ph.

 

[tlindsey]

Epsom salt is used to treat fish bloat and it acts like a laxative. You could place coral substrate in a mesh bag and it will help bring up ph.

7.6 Is actually good for most African species. I know a breeder in my area that breeds Frontosa with the PH around that range. I live in Ohio and our ph is 7.6_7.8 range.

 

[RD.]

Epsom salt is also used to raise general hardness (GH), although I think the OP might be best to leave their tap water as-is. If you want a recipe to raise pH, GH, or KH, check out the following link.

https://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_chemistry.php

 

[DOOB]

I also use coral to raise mine when needed. that's a good read that article R.D posted

 

[JAYBIRD1011]

Epsom salt is also used to raise general hardness (GH), although I think the OP might be best to leave their tap water as-is. If you want a recipe to raise pH, GH, or KH, check out the following link.

https://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_chemistry.php

Epsom salt is also used to raise general hardness (GH), although I think the OP might be best to leave their tap water as-is. If you want a recipe to raise pH, GH, or KH, check out the following link.

https://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/water_chemistry.php

That was right on the nose!
Thank you Billy Jack!

 

[JAYBIRD1011]

I also use coral to raise mine when needed. that's a good read that article R.D posted

I did. And it was!