how to go from soft water to hard water?

[Longmayitreign]

How quick does it leech out of the substrate ? Would it raise the pH close to 7.8? Would it be worth getting limestone in the tank as well ?



I feel like being new to this I would love to go the cheaper option as in baking soda and Epson salt. I feel like I should get a substrate that's going to buffer my water like what is recommended . Wait a few days and see how my water reacts ?

Then maybe top it up with some limestone or if it's not high enough try baking soda and Epson salts ?

I don't know how long it takes because gta tap water is already 7.6-7.8 but I don't think it would take that long, I "would" compare it to putting wood in the tank.

 

[RD.]

Just get carib sea african cichlid mix, it makes the water in your tank pretty close to the rift lakes.
It's really easy and you should find it at lfs.

Personally I find the carib sea mixes ugly, and unnatural looking. Rift lake sand isn't white, nor is it a salt & pepper mix, in fact none of their high priced mixes look authentic to anything. lol https://caribsea.com/aquarium/ Not to mention how costly they are, compared to simply using a low cost buffering agent in ones filtration, where it is constantly exposed to water turn over.


H Herrwibi - this isn't rocket science, just try what has been suggested and go with what you find personally cheapest/easiest for you.

 

[Herrwibi]

Personally I find the carib sea mixes ugly, and unnatural looking. Rift lake sand isn't white, nor is it a salt & pepper mix, in fact none of their high priced mixes look authentic to anything. lol https://caribsea.com/aquarium/ Not to mention how costly they are, compared to simply using a low cost buffering agent in ones filtration, where it is constantly exposed to water turn over.


H Herrwibi - this isn't rocket science, just try what has been suggested and go with what you find personally cheapest/easiest for you.

I know , I think I tend to over complicate it . I think I'm going to put some crushed coral in my filter and go from there . See how the pH and kH react after a week or two .

If the pH holds steady around where I want it I'll leave the tank how it is , if not I'll add some limestone/ holy rock or look into a substrate .

Thank you for all your help ?.

 

[Herrwibi]

Personally I find the carib sea mixes ugly, and unnatural looking. Rift lake sand isn't white, nor is it a salt & pepper mix, in fact none of their high priced mixes look authentic to anything. lol https://caribsea.com/aquarium/ Not to mention how costly they are, compared to simply using a low cost buffering agent in ones filtration, where it is constantly exposed to water turn over.


H Herrwibi - this isn't rocket science, just try what has been suggested and go with what you find personally cheapest/easiest for you.

Sorry RD , last one i promise.

Is this the stuff i'm looking for?

 

[RD.]

LOL, no worries, ask away. Better to investigate now, than have to work in reverse. Yes, that is the stuff. Some chicken grit may contain additives for the chickens, just make sure it is just plain crushed oyster shells, with no additives.

 

[Herrwibi]

LOL, no worries, ask away. Better to investigate now, than have to work in reverse. Yes, that is the stuff. Some chicken grit may contain additives for the chickens, just make sure it is just plain crushed oyster shells, with no additives.

From what I can see it's just crushed oyster shell.