best method for lowering water hardness

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:43 am

I have searched for about an hour to find out the answer to this question with no luck- can anyone tell me the best method for lowering water hardness?

thanks!

Sheryl

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:49 am

I would try adding soft water, try doing a water change or add the soft water slowly over time. For soft water I use R/O water.

What are you doing, if I may ask?

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:01 am

I have been using tap water treated with muriatic acid to lower the ph-

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:07 am

How has it been working? I use the R/O water which is at about pH 6.0-6.2 to do water changes in my CRS tank. It brings the pH down and then the tanks pH stablizes at about 6.6-6.8. I prefer my way as there are no chemicals to deal with. If you try it be sure to measure the pH as you go along so you don't get an unwanted pH.

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:32 am

I just checked the TH with a test strip

hardness is 250, ph 6.8, alkalinity between 0 and 40 ppm

I have been putting tapwater in an open container, treating with Amquel and muriatic acid, and leaving it sit for a few days, then add to the tank.

I think the hardness is high- I have a CRS tank, and the shrimp seem happy- there are several berried females- however, I have seen only 2 babies in over one month- now I cannot find the babies, even though they may still be there. Am I correct to think the hardness may be the problem?

I have a phep5 meter, but have not calibrated it yet. Also have a TDS meter, but need the calibration solution- I have ordered it, but it is not here yet.

Sheryl

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:39 am

What sized tank do you have? Are there lots of plants?

Although it is easier to spot CRS babies, at least for me, they will hide pretty well in the first days/week after hatching and will be hard to spot. Also, what normally decreass the survival rate of babies are high temperatures and poor water conditions (nitrates and hardness also).

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:49 am

the tank is a 20 high with several plants, including a fairly large clump of java moss, which they love-I also have a hob filter, sponge filter, and a powerhead- the shrimp can get out of the current if they want,as there is also driftwood and a few rocks. Also, something I found by accident that shrimp REALLY love is cholla cactus wood- they go nuts over that stuff! (Also, I have put that in all of my pleco tanks- the plecos also go nuts over it)- The adult shrimp are swimming around like happy little fish-they are really active- will the water quality and the hardness affect the way they act? Will it affect the babies more than the adults? I have tried the r/o water before, but when I got the ph down, I quite using it, and just add the treated tap water. Now I am worried about the hardness. Just for fun, I tried the TDS meter, which says it is really high- 600ppm, but it has not been calibrated, unless it is already calibrated out of the box. Therefore I will not believe that reading....

Sheryl

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:07 pm

Just for fun, I tried the TDS meter, which says it is really high- 600ppm, but it has not been calibrated, unless it is already calibrated out of the box. Therefore I will not believe that reading....

Should be more accurate after the calibration.

To answer your question, yes they will behave differently in poor water conditions. If it is a acute change then they will be actively trying to get out of the water and be irritated! However if the conditions are chronically poor the shrimp will become more inactive (slow, stop feeding/foraging and will not breed).

The babies are more sensitive and will not survive if water quality and temperature is out of range.

I have been using only R/O water for my CRS and it is working for me. I do not know if it will work for you but you can try mixing some in. My shrimp seem to get their nutrients from the different food I feed them.

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:49 pm

will the shrimp act super happy if the hardness is high?

badflash · Post by **badflash** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:14 pm

adding acid to hard water will not make it softer, just temporarily more acidic. It will convert carbonate hardness, but won't help with anything else. Adding soft water or using ion exchange resin are theonly two methods I know of to soften water. R/O units are less expensive and better. many stores sell R/O water for 30 cents a gallon.

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:53 pm

many stores sell R/O water for 30 cents a gallon.

That's were I get mine. By happy do you mean actively seimming and moving? I am not sure as my water has always been soft as they prefer this.

paintworx · Post by **paintworx** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 11:47 am

by 'happy' I mean very active, constantly swimming and seemingly 'playing' in the current and with each other- they swim in and out of the cholla wood, the java moss, etc. -- by far the most active and entertaining shrimp species I have.

I did see 2 babies yesterday- one is a juvie- however, I feel I should be seeing a lot more, as I have approx 30 shrimp in the tank.

any suggestions?

I guess I will start adding r/o water back in - please tell me the optimum water parameters for CRS BABY shrimp to survive well ?

Neonshrimp · Post by **Neonshrimp** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:07 pm

If your shrimp are breeding and carrying eggs you should see a lot more than 2 babies

The babies will not do well and survive unless the water is CLEAN, acidiic (6.6-6.8 ) and soft (I just use R/O water). I hope the R/O works for you.

Post by **Mustafa** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:47 pm

paintworx wrote:by 'happy' I mean very active, constantly swimming and seemingly 'playing' in the current and with each other- they swim in and out of the cholla wood, the java moss, etc. -- by far the most active and entertaining shrimp species I have.

If *any* type of shrimp swims around all the time for no reason, then there is something wrong with your water and the shrimp are looking to get away (i.e. get out of the tank). Shrimp only swim around a lot right before mating , when the males look for a freshly molted female. Dwarf shrimp prefer to walk around and pick at surfaces.