My New Calico Orandas (what Is Gh) Options

[HappyBuddha]

Swee boh?

I know I once said I don't like Oranda but... lately I've been quite fascinated by them especially if they have massive headgrowth. I also said I don't like calico goldfish ... but... given a choice... I still prefer a "normal" goldfish.

Here's the first of two I bought in Hong Kong.

[kingyoo]

I also don't know what epsom salt is... but I read "salt" and it is my understanding that parasites will adapt to the salinity and becomes immune. Hence, I only apply salt when the fish needs medical treatment.

Epsom salt is NOT a salt, we just call it that. It is magnesium sulfate hydrate. It looks like salt in crystalized form. No worries.

I don't know what exactly GH is but would adding baking soda, which boost the KH, work equally well?

Long answer....

Water accumulates many dissolved substances before it reaches our home taps. Hardness is a measurement of the concentration of metal ions. Some are calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. In most water it consist mainly of calcium and magnesium salts, with trace amounts of other metals.
There are two kinds of hardness that we consider with fish keeping. Permanent hardness and alkalinity (kH) So, kh plus Permanent hardness equals general hardness (gH).

Alkalinity or temporary (carbonate) hardness (kH) refers to the hardness derived mainly from carbonate and bicarbonate ions and directly reflects the buffering capacity of the water. So adding Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) raises kh, thus buffers your water.

PLUS
Permanent hardness measures ions such as nitrates, sulphates, and chlorides etc,

Equals
General hardness (gH) refers to the dissolved concentration primarily of magnesium and calcium ions.


A lot of fish keepers skip the gH testing as it doesn't seem as important. However, I feel that for my fish I want to give them the best care. My tap water is almost zero kH and zero gH. Their colors are more brilliant with addition of epsom salt since they are indoors without much sunlight and no green water.

I hope that helps.