What is an easy and cheap way to raise the hardness of my aquarium water?

Question

I recently tested my water and the only thing that was a little bit off was how soft my water is (the reading was 120). I'd like to raise it a bit higher because i have a school of black phantom tetras that like harder water. Is there anything around the house i can use to raise the hardness? ive heard of people putting baking soda in the water, does this work?

Answer 1

Add plain epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), that will increase the general hardness (GH) of your water.

Baking soda doesn't increase GH but it does increase carbonate hardness (KH) which buffers pH (which it also increases).

Increase GH slowly by adding 1 teaspoon per 10gal of tank volume daily until target level is achieved.

Certain fish such as african cichlids from the rift lakes are suited to and thrive in high GH conditions. Other fish like discus do better in low GH conditions. Only adjust your GH if the needs of the particular species you have require it.

Answer 2

Generally you should just leave it alone if your fish are healthy, and it's not a big difference. Most fish will adjust to most water conditions. Monkeying with it often does more harm than good. As you will find it nearly impossible to change one without the other. Also rapid change is bad so if you have to for some reason put them in new water the rapid large change can be lethal.

Answer 3

Yes it does. But why would you want to raise your hardness. Fish dont usually like hard water. If you can buy some aquarium salt and bring it down. Who ever told you this doesnt know jack about fish aquariums. Ask them if they know what a biological cycle is. If they dont know what it is, dont buy fish from them.

Answer 4

try a 3 inch length of copper pipe leave it in fer a few days an take it out test 2 days later
ur hardness shud go up by 2%