Reducing hardness
Use distilled water during changes
use a commercial water softener
filter water thru peat
use reverse osmosis unit
Increasing hardness
add calcium
add magnesium sulfate
use hard water during water changes
filter water thru coral or marble chips
Lowering pH
filter water thru peat
partial water changes
Increasing pH
sodium bicarbonate
sodium carbonate
partial water change
reduce nitrAte
partial water change
add live plants
clean tank, vac gravel and clean filters
Water chemistry
In their natural occuring range West and Central African rivers,lakes and swamps
bichirs are found in water conditions varying in pH values between 6.5 to almost 9.0.
And water hardness varying between2dH to almost 20dH.
And tempuratures ranging from mid 70'sF to mid 80'sF
with a dissolved oxygen content between 3.3 parts per 1000 by volume
and 2.50 parts per 1000 by volume.
3.3 parts per 1000 by volume is common in aqauria kept at 75 F
These water parameters will flucuate thruought the year as dry season gives
way to the rainy season and rivers rise and swamps flood often lowering water temps
for short peroids of time.As you can see they are tolerant of a wide range of water
conditions.
