![]() ![]() More importantly, ALL RO water should have KH Buffers added or problems of water stability WILL be encountered. It is helpful to also add a more complete and often continuous supply of mineral cations to this RO water. Often aquarium keepers utilize RO water (which is excellent when used correctly), but often fail to add anything more than immediate electrolytes. In particular this quote from the above article: "Bringing this back to an aquarium, if you immediately drive out all positive mineral ions in a mis-guided attempt to duplicate the Amazon environment, your fish will be constantly deprived of these essential mineral ions! This is analogous to a person avoiding all sun and then refusing to take any vitamin D supplements." The FACTS are just as all people need vitamin D, ALL FISH need positive mineral ions!!! The result of incomplete mineral cations is often a fish that is more susceptible to disease (such as Columnaris) with shorter life spans. This is also why the aquarium traditions of lower GH for certain fish are only half correct as they miss the aspect of balancing water with important mineral cations as well as with acid buffers. This is why I have found that even fish such as Ram Cichlids thrive in a Balanced Reducing environment that has a Calcium level that often brings the GH over 150 ppm so as to provide positive mineral ions that are rapidly depleted in the closed system ANY aquarium is. It is noteworthy that the Fish Body (as an organism) is alkaline by nature and is constantly attacked by free radicals which are usually acidic. While freshwater fish absorb needed H2O (saltwater drink constantly), the need for these electrolytes and calcium for some fish (such as Amazon River fish) is lower than some, however Proper Osmotic function still requires that calcium and other electrolytes be present in the aquatic environment as well as foods. Popular but outdated aquarium traditions state that only certain fish need water high in electrolytes and calcium, this is only partly true. In marine aquariums the actual pH number is of higher importance than in most FW aquariums (due to the fact here are much lower natural fluctuations in pH in natural bodies of saltwater), however even in saltwater a correct alkalinity (KH) is a must for proper buffering of marine pH and as well elements such as Calcium, Magnesium and Chloride are also very important to a healthy saltwater aquarium as you will read further in this article. As for pH, stability is more important than the actual pH number in freshwater. Often aquarists in both fresh and sometimes even saltwater worry too much about pH while ignoring the importance of mineral cations/electrolytes (found in part via GH), and KH (more correctly identified as alkalinity, as it is in SW). ![]() Correction of this problem via water changes and/or addition of mineral or carbonate supplements may even show initial stress until the inhabitants adjust to the improved water quality. We as fish keepers should understand that fish will often adjust to poor electrolyte and calcium (& other necessary Redox reducing elements), however this does not prove this is best for the health of your fish any more than how fish will often adjust to aquariums that are crowded with infrequent water changes (which is also not good for long term fish health).Īquariums that are overdue for a water change, with high bio load, lack mineral/electrolyte replenishment, or simply initially start out with incorrect chemistry often results in inadequate mineral and carbonate chemistry necessary for optimum bio function of the aquatic inhabitants (fish and invertebrates). ![]() ![]() Unfortunately, based on many forum posts, client conversations, and emails this aspect of aquarium keeping is one of the most misunderstood today as is often the case in the "The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle" as well! Minerals such calcium are essential for osmotic function in fish and many aquarists make the mistake of believing that some fish such as Discus or Bettas do not require Calcium or minerals when in reality (based on many studies in biochemistry and relating to Redox Balance) these mineral cations are essential and GH test kits to not give the full picture (Important, please see the GH section for more). Many aquarists overlook the need for electrolytes positive mineral cations such as calcium & magnesium and the effect of KH (Carbonate hardness) in their freshwater aquarium (marine aquarium keepers tend to be more aware of these processes/parameters). ![]()
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